Bird strikes at airports are not uncommon and can end in tragedy. The Telegraphrecently reported a plane crash in Napal that took the lives of 19 people when a vulture flew into one of the engines as the plane was taking off. Tragedies like these underscore the importance of effective bird control.
Civil Aviation Authority officials noted that the pilot was forced to make an emergency landing after the plane’s front engine had been hit by a bird and ceased to function. After trying to start a second engine, the damaged engine burst into flames. When the pilot attempted to land in the nearby Monahara River (to snuff out the flames), the plane crashed into a soccer field on the riverbank and was engulfed in thick, black flames. The plane crashed just 500 meters from the airport. Luckily no one was on the ground in the plane’s path. It took firefighters over 40 minutes to extinguish the flames.
It was later determined that the bird was not sucked into the engine, but hit the right side propeller. A local engineer noted that 90 percent of bird strikes occur during takeoff. Bird collisions can result in aircraft damage, especially if the bird is large and is ingested into a jet engine. In this case, a bird will damage a fan blade in the engine, which causes adjacent blades to displace and impact all the blades in the engine. Without effective bird control measures, airports are literally at the mercy of pest birds.
Keeping Aircraft Hangars Bird Free With Bird Netting
Since most aircraft hangars are wide open during operating hours, birds can easily flock around door openings, overhangs, eaves, canopies, support beams and other lofty areas. Birds attracted to hangars include European starlings, house sparrows and pigeons. Once they begin to nest inside, their droppings and nesting materials can easily fall onto aircraft engines, maintenance and testing areas, and parts storage bays. Parts contaminated with bird debris can fail during testing and even cause mishaps during flight. Workers can also slip and fall on bird droppings.
One popular bird deterrent currently used to keep birds out of aircraft hangars is Heavy Duty Bird Netting. Correctly installed by Authorized Bird Control Installers, bird netting effectively prevents birds from accessing sensitive areas. Heavy duty bird netting comes in a variety of mesh sizes. To block out pigeons or seagulls, consider using 1-1/8- to 2-inch mesh size netting. To seal out smaller birds like sparrows, a 3/4-inch mesh netting is recommended.
Bird control experts will tell you that it’s important to specify high quality netting. The best heavy duty netting is made of high-strength polyethylene. One manufacturer offers netting that has a burst strength of up to 40 pounds. It meets ISO 1806 and 9001 protocols, is UV stabilized, flame resistant and rot- and water-proof. The best netting will have a 250-degree Fahrenheit melting point and will also remain intact in “sub-zero” temperatures. This netting is black, comes with a 10-year guarantee and is virtually invisible when properly installed.
Installing heavy duty netting in aircraft hangars should be done properly by Authorized Bird Control Installers. Such installations typically require thousands of square feet of netting. For example, to properly install the netting horizontally across an entire hangar ceiling, special boom lifts and power gear are required. Improperly installed netting can droop and sag, allowing birds to enter through spaces.
Heavy Duty Pond Netting for Wetland Areas
Properly installed, Heavy Duty Pond Netting creates a physical barrier that prevents migratory birds from landing in ponds or other water areas around aviation facilities. The netting is made from a durable, UV-stabilized Dupont® knotted mesh nylon and designed for prolonged use in harsh environments. The netting comes in large stock sizes and custom cuts. Mesh sizes vary from 3/4” to 4” to exclude a variety of large and medium sized migrating birds.
Avian Control™Bird Repellent
Ideal for repelling birds from large expansive areas like airports, Avian Control™ Bird Repellent is a non-toxic solution that discourages geese, gulls ducks starlings and other birds from gathering and grazing. Avian Control’s unique patent pending formula irritates the mucous membranes of birds, yet it’s harmless to birds, pets and people (all ingredients are considered “Generally Regarded As Safe” by the FDA). It lasts up to three times longer than other goose deterrents. The repellent can be sprayed and is highly economical when fogged (fogging uses just 12 to 16 ounces per acre). Avian Control™ should be applied by a licensed pest control operator.
For additional advice on how to prevent bird strikes at your airport, consult an expert like the folks at Bird-B-Gone.
Bird-B-Gone, Inc. would like to announce the addition of a new product, The Bird Spider 360°.
The Bird Spider 360° is a physical bird deterrent that rotates and bounces in the wind to deter birds from landing on unwanted areas such as light fixtures, boats, docks, signs, rooftops, A.C. units and more. The moving parts make it impossible for large birds such as pigeons, crows and gulls to land in concentrated areas.
An improvement on the original Bird Spider design, the Bird Spider 360° is made of durable yet lightweight materials that are designed for prolonged outdoor use. The body and base are composed of a U.V. protected polycarbonate plastic, and the arms marine grade stainless steel. Bird Spider 360° is manufactured by Bird-B-Gone in the USA ensuring high quality construction and lasting performance. (more…)
Mission Viejo CA – Bird-B-Gone, Inc. would like to announce the addition of a new product, The Repeller 360°.
The Repeller 360° is a physical bird deterrent that rotates in the wind to deter large birds from landing on unwanted areas such as solar panels, A.C. units, rooftops, exterior building equipment and more.
Covering a 6 ft diameter, the Repeller 360° features reflective “predator eyes” to confuse and scare birds from coming near the protected area. The rotating arms work to “sweep” birds off surfaces, while the reflective predator eyes create a visual scare zone that birds will want to avoid. (more…)
If you’re a Facilities or Maintenance Manager, you need to keep your industrial facility clean and your repair and maintenance costs to a minimum. If you have pest bird problems, they can pose a challenge—unless you implement some effective bird control measures. Pest birds can become a costly nuisance, both inside and outside various types of industrial structures. From slippery loading docks to jammed up skylights on manufacturing roofs, pest birds can cause you all sorts of grief.
As a Facilities Manager, the buck stops with you when it comes to getting rid of pest birds. Adopting an effective bird deterrent strategy can save your maintenance crews from doing constant cleanups and repairs on expensive AC units, rooftop ventillators and other equipment in and around your facility. (more…)
If you’re looking to expand your business by adding bird control, or just want to develop your bird control knowledge, this is an excellent opportunity for you!
Bird-B-Gone is the leading manufacturer of professional grade bird deterrents. We pride ourselves on our level of commitment to customer service and provide superior training and support.
Those who attend receive a certificate of completion and are eligible to apply to become a Bird-B-Gone Authorized Installer. Attendees who work in California will receive credits towards their branch II SPCB license.
The next class is Friday, August 24th, 2012
Classes are held at the Bird-B-Gone manufacturing facility in Santa Ana, California from 8:00am-5:00pm with a complimentary lunch and refreshments. The all-day course includes:
Free training manual for future reference
Bird control products basics for success
How to market and make a profit in bird control
Choosing the right product
How to install products/ hands on training
Quoting bird jobs
How to hang bird netting
How to avoid problems / troubleshooting
Learn from the worlds leading manufacturer of bird control products!
Classes fill up quickly, contact Chris Fields today at 1-800-392-6915 or email chris@birdbgone.com to reserve your seat!
Mission Viejo CA – Bird-B-Gone, Inc. leading manufacturer of effective, humane bird deterrents would like to announce the addition of a new product, The Repeller 360.
Covering a 6 ft diameter, the Repeller 360° features reflective “predator eyes” to confuse and scare birds from coming near the protected area. The arms work to “sweep” birds off surfaces, while the reflective predator eyes create a visual scare zone that birds will want to avoid. (more…)
Bird-B-Gone, Inc. is the #1 specified bird control company by architects, engineers and government agencies. Since 1992, we have worked closely with the AEC industry in both the design and implementation of effective, humane and cost efficient bird control solutions. Our products are specified on building projects on a regular basis. The AEC industry has for several decades been aware of the damage birds can cause to buildings and architectural features and work proactively to ensure their designs are protected.
We provide architectural specifications, CAD and BIM details on our products and have a dedicated team of bird control specialists who can help specify bird control, or help installers get the information they need when bidding on a project. We also have an extensive network of professional bird control installers for recommendation.
Architects, Engineers and Installers rest assured knowing Bird-B-Gone’s high quality professional grade bird control products are manufactured in the USA and carry industry leading guarantees. Our products have proven success and are built for commercial and industrial use. One of our motto’s is “no gimmicks, just products that work”.
You can contact our on staff Architectural expert, Jeff Watts, directly at jeff@birdbgone.com with any questions. Read About Jeff’s involvement with the AEC industry for the past 10 years on our “Ask an Expert” page HERE
Running a commercial business in these tough economic times can be a real challenge. Profit margins are slim, and the last thing you need is repair and maintenance costs to go up. But that can happen if you don’t have a bird control strategy. One that keeps pest birds out of signs, rooftop AC units, rain gutters and other elevated areas.
Birds nesting in your signage, for example, can cause electrical shorts and, in some cases, fires. Bird nests, feathers and related debris can also choke up exhaust fans and AC compressors. When birds build nests in your rain gutters during the summer, winter rains will produce overflows that can damage roofs.
Bird Spikes are an effective way to prevent birds from landing or roosting on your business. There are, however, many different varieties of bird spikes available in today’s market. Some are better suited for commercial businesses than others, as some bird spikes sold online are flimsy, require assembly and are not guaranteed. (more…)
Jeffrey R. Pocaro, an attorney representing a Green Brook resident who lives in the Mountainview at Green Brook Complex, came to the the Green Brook Township Committee on Monday looking for help.
After pointing out a spelling error in the township’s property managment code, Pocaro then asked for an amendment to it to address an issue he said is causing a problem at the complex: pigeons.
“I…ask you to add mold and feces as items that the code can require a homeowner to clean up,” Pocaro said. He charged that a ”pigeon clan” is “taking over the buildings.” (more…)
Written By: Meredith Walako/ Bird-B-Gone, Inc. 5-25-12
Bird Spikes, they were invented in the 1940′s and have since become a staple tool in bird control. While they’re not quite a household name or known product, many professionals have familiarized themselves with the concept. And though there have been several advancements in bird deterrents since, such as automatic remote hazing units and electric track systems, Bird Spikes still play an important role in deterring birds. It’s a simple product with very effective results, as long as they are used for what they are designed for.
Bird Spikes are a physical bird deterrent used to prevent birds from landing in unwanted areas. The Spikes are not sharp, and not designed to harm birds. They simply create an uneven landing space that large birds cannot land on. Bird-B-Gone is the only bird control company that manufactures their bird spikes in the USA, ensuring they meet the highest standard of quality in the industry.
Bird Spikes, just like any other wildlife, pest or bird control product are designed for specific situations and species. Birds are smart and adaptable - finding the right product that fits your scenario is key in successful pest bird exclusion. The species of bird, the area they are causing a problem and whether or not the birds are nesting will dictate whether they are a viable option. In other words, Bird Spikes are not 100% effective everywhere they are installed, there are many pest bird scenarios that require a completely different solution. (more…)
Ultrasonic Bird Control? Don’t Throw Your Money Away!
Written By: Rob Fergus, Ph.D.
Sometimes hardware or lawn & garden companies advertise ultrasonic devices that are supposed to drive birds away with high frequency noises undetectable to humans. Sounds like a good idea, right? Blast out sounds birds can hear but we can’t—what’s not to like? Unfortunately, the truth is that birds do not actually hear these ultrasonic sounds any better than humans do, and there is no scientific evidence that these devices actually work. The bottom line is that birds cannot hear ultrasonic frequencies and ultrasonic devices don’t work.
Humans hear sounds between the frequencies of about 20 to 20,000 acoustical vibrations per second (hertz or Hz). Middle C is about 262 Hz and the highest piano key (C8) is about 4186 Hz. As you get older, you lose the higher frequency sounds; middle-aged people can often hear sounds only up to 12,000-14,000 Hz (12-14kHz). High frequency dog whistles work because dogs can hear sounds up to 40-60 kHz. Bats use sounds up to 100 kHz to help them locate their flying insect prey and avoid obstacles in the night sky. (more…)
From Bird-B-Gone:We wrote this article a few years back but feel it is still very relevant in the world of bird control. At Bird-B-Gone it is our goal to offer realistic advice when it comes to deterring birds commercial, industrial or residential settings. If you have a bird problem at your facility, please contact us at 1-800-392-6915 or email nobirds@birdbgone.com for advice.
Bird Control? Why should we care about pest birds? It seems the latest issue concerning property management and building maintenance companies is Pest Birds. Every year millions of dollars are spent cleaning up after and repairing the damage caused by pest birds such as pigeons, sea gulls, crows and other urban birds. Not only are these problems unsightly, but also pest birds and their feces can spread 60 plus transmittable diseases. Safety, sanitation and health hazards caused by bird droppings can pose serious liability risks, and left untreated, can lead to accidents and lawsuits. Bird feces, bird nests and debris can also create a bad public image with tenants and patrons. (more…)
Spikes placed incorrectly next to an owl decoy. The crow is given plenty of room to land on the ledge while the installation looks sloppy.
Written By: Meredith Walako
Bird Deterrents are designed to humanely deter birds from landing or nesting in unwanted areas. However, improper installation or misuse of products can lead to undesirable results that can potentially harm birds while also not being effective at deterring them in the first place.
Not every product works for every bird problem and certain products require care and planning to be successful. This is why it’s important to hire or consult a professional when dealing with a pest bird problem on your home or property.
From the installers perspective, improper installation can be a liability. Bad press, lawsuits and more can ensure if birds or humans are negatively impacted due to improper usage or installation.
Avoid claims that a product will work “100%” of the time. Most seasoned bird control professionals know there is nothing further from the truth. Choosing the correct product depends on the type of bird, the area its posing a problem and whether the birds are nesting or not. Other times, one type of product may not be enough – integrated solutions – using multiple products in conjunction with each other may work best for difficult bird problems.
There have been some recent news articles that have highlighted the negative impact of using bird deterrents improperly. Here are just a few with examples of what could have / should have been done in the first place. (more…)
These photographs are from the government site on Tepusquet Peak in Santa Barbara County, CA. Anti-perching and bird flight diverter devices have been added to bring the site into compliance with Forest Service Appendix G. Shown are anti-perching wire spikes on the perimeter of a building roof and flight diverter metal coils that have been added to guy wires to hopefully alert birds to the presence of the wires.
In addition, Appendix G requires that anti-perching devices be added to microwave dish tops, cable tray tops and certain other long horizontal members. All microwave dishes must now be randomly covered and new towers are limited to 199 feet in height above ground. Photographs posted April 2012.
Spring is here and pest birds will be looking for a place to roost and nest. Better hope they don’t land on your property. If they do, you’re in for some major headaches. For once they’ve settled on your commercial building or warehouse, hello expensive cleanups and repairs and goodbye peace and quiet. Here ‘s just one problem you’ll be facing if pest birds get the upper hand–and one way you can prevent it.
Problem: When pest birds lay claim to your commercial property, they’ll nest, eat and poop. This poop is not just unsightly, the acid produced by the fungi that live in bird droppings can corrode metal and erode stone. It can jam up windows, doors, rooftop ventilators and skylights. Bird droppings can also block out those skylights. And it can render security cameras inoperative. In fact, if allowed to collect, bird droppings can damage expensive A.C. units (you know how costly they are).
To keep up with birds and their droppings, you’ll have to hire expensive cleaning crews. Bird nests and droppings can also clog gutters and down pipes, causing rooftops to overflow with water. Some roof sections have actually collapsed due to bird damage. (more…)
Courtesy of a Mission Royale resident, Pigeons leave quite a mess on the roofs of some Mission Royale homes last month in Casa Grande.
Written By: Melissa St. Aude
When Lyle Roorda bought his home in the Mission Royale community in 2006, he did not anticipate sharing his house with dozens of pigeons.But despite Roorda’s best efforts to eradicate them, the pigeons continue to nest on his roof. At last count, he had at least 30 or 40 pigeons living on top of his house and the mess they create — feathers and droppings as well as the maggots and other insects that live and breed in the bird debris — has become intolerable and a health hazard, he said.
“It’s a major problem,” Roorda said. “And it’s getting worse. The mess they leave behind is sickening.” (more…)
Recent studies have shown that every year, thousands of protected migratory birds die in tailings or detention ponds used for industrial waste or filtering. Tailing ponds may contain bitumen, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, volatile organic compounds, naphthenic acids, brine, heavy metals, and ammonia—substances that are harmful, even fatal to birds.
The problem arises when birds mistake these ponds for fresh water. Without effective bird control measures to keep birds out of these ponds, the birds are doomed to suffer illness or even die. Most government agencies require companies to implement a comprehensive bird deterrent system if they plan to operate these types of ponds.
Bird-B-Gone is a company you can trust. We have first hand experience in the field of bird control. Our content, advice and expertise comes from extensive experience in installing and developing professional grade bird control products, giving hands on trainings or on site installation advice and our ongoing research in the field of effective bird deterrents.
Need help with a complicated bird net installation? Have a specialized bird problem that needs troubleshooting? Bird-B-Gone can help every step of the way. Call us today at 1-800-392-6915 or email nobirds@birdbgone.com. We even have an on staff ornithologist, Dr. Rob Fergus, who can help answer your tough bird questions: asktheexpert@birdbgone.com.
It’s important to take a proactive approach when dealing with pest birds. In the long run, it can save you time and money.
There are many reasons to consider deterring birds from your facility. In a nutshell, birds carry and spread disease and bird feces can corrode building materials.
The build-up of bird droppings or nesting materials is not only unsightly, but can host parasites such as bird mites. If birds are allowed to inhabit an area long enough, they will persistently defend it as their territory. (more…)
Let’s face it, pest birds can cost you a lot of money. Especially when they gather, nest and poop in airplane hangars, canopies, garages, factories, warehouses, eaves and other covered areas. There are many ways to humanely get rid of pest birds. One of the most effective is bird netting.
It makes sense when you have hundreds to thousands of square feet to cover. The netting can stretch over all beams, ledges pipes and other areas birds can roost or nest on. Not to mention, Bird Netting is one of the few products that can successfully solve a bird problem where birds have been nesting. When birds establish a nesting site they can be very territorial about keeping their home. Bird netting acts as a humane barrier that completely blocks birds from reentering the site.
But before getting into why bird netting works so well, we should look at why doing nothing is not a good idea. (more…)
Bird strikes at airports are not uncommon and can end in tragedy. The Telegraph recently reported a plane crash in Napal that took the lives of 19 people when a vulture flew into one of the engines as the plane was taking off. Tragedies like these underscore the importance of effective bird control.
