Each year, homeowners spend hundreds of dollars cleaning up and repairing damage caused by pest birds. Pigeons love to perch on the edges of your roof in search of dinner or just enjoying the sun. They can cause a lot of roof damage as well as endanger you and your pet’s health outdoors. Pigeons can carry any of 60 infectious diseases, including West Nile virus and histoplasmosis. The debris left by the bathroom can contain fleas, mites, and ticks. It is essential for homeowners to get rid of pigeons as soon as they arrive.
One of the best ways to keep pigeons off your roof is to install bird spikes on the tops and edges. Most pigeons land on the top or edge of a roof first to look around and make sure they are safe, and then wander around the roof looking for a good place to live or nest. Bird spikes make it impossible for pigeons to land on areas covered by spikes. If they can’t land on your roof, they will likely move to a more suitable location.
Bird nails come in several types. There are all plastic spike strips as well as plastic with stainless steel screws. Most bird spikes come in 2-foot sections and can be easily installed with adhesive or screws. When installing bird nails to your roof, you will most likely want to use an adhesive, because nails or screws will put holes in the roofing material.
Plastic bird spikes usually come in a variety of colors to match your ceiling. If you have a tile roof, you can get by with clay colored nails. Plastic bird spikes tend to be less expensive than the stainless steel model. They are made of polycarbonate plastic similar to car headlights, therefore they are very tough and will last a long time on the surface.
Stainless Steel Bird Spikes feature a plastic base with stainless steel screws. They are as easy to use as plastic nails; They become less noticeable once they are installed. The stainless steel nails come in 2-foot sections and are easily installed with glue or screws. Again, it’s best to use glue for rooftop applications, because you don’t want to make holes in the roof. Once installed, the spikes make it virtually impossible for large birds like pigeons and gulls to perch on the tops and edges of the roof.
Installing bird spikes is a great DIY weekend project. Depending on the severity of the bathroom problem, most spike installation jobs can take as little as two to three hours to complete. It is important to do a thorough cleaning before installing any type of bird control system. Pigeons and other birds are attracted to their scent, so they will attempt to land and nest in the same locations year after year. It is best to disinfect and deodorize the area before installing bird spikes. Use caution before cleaning up bird feces; Never remove dried feces as you may inhale dust that can carry diseases. Always wet the stool first and scrape it into garbage bags for disposal.