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Be careful not to dent the gutter when doing this. That is why we suggest a rubber mallet. Normal metal hammers will scuff up the paint on the gutter spike, and damage the gutter if you’re not careful. CONCLUSION Although anti-roosting spikes are considered to be the industry standard method of protecting windowsills, many specialist contractors will recommend a post and wire system. These systems are not only expensive but are also prone to failure as a result of wires breaking or due to poor installation. In many cases, where the wires are installed at the incorrect height, pigeons will perch and even nest beneath, behind or beside the wires – this is common. The Bird Spikes are sold in metres. Each metre consists of three 33.4 cm (13 inches) sections. For shorter lengths, the base of the product can be snapped into lengths from just 3cm (1 inch) long. We have looked at all the do-it-yourself pigeon deterrent options for protecting the roof and guttering, so now we will concentrate on the remainder of the building from the guttering down to ground level. A vast majority of problems associated with pigeons roosting or perching on a building will be confined to upper floors. It is rare to find pigeons perching or roosting at ground floor or basement levels. The only exception to this might be car parking areas below ground, light wells or secluded basement areas where human activity is at a minimum. Although many of the DIY devices for excluding pigeons, as with conventional products, can be used in the same way on any type of property, there are instances when you may need to provide a different DIY solution dependent on your property type. To an extent, the location of your building is also an issue, but less so than property type. Period properties, in the Victorian/Edwardian styles, can offer extensive perching and roosting opportunities for pigeons due, in the main, to their architectural features. Decorative features on the exterior of period properties as well as multiple roof lines, degradable soffits (made from timber) and wide windowsills all offer the pigeon optimum perching or roosting opportunities. Modern properties tend to have fewer external features that are attractive to pigeons and therefore problems tend to be less common.
Anti-roosting spikes stand higher, once installed on a flat surface, than the wire-based system previously described so it will not be possible to install the spikes directly onto the sill as they will interfere with the window opening and closing. The anti-roosting spikes will therefore need to be installed directly onto the base of the frame of the window itself horizontally. Please note that the anti-roosting spikes will need to be glued/attached to the base of the wooden/UPVC/alloy frame of the individual window, not the window frame. This will ensure that when the window is closed the anti-roosting spikes will protect the windowsill and prevent pigeons landing on the sill. Many modern properties will be fitted with windows that open inward/outward and which are constructed from either UPVC, alloy or wood. Assuming that the gap between the base of the window (when open) and the sill is greater than 3” then the provision of wires spanning the sill from one side to another, as described for sash windows, will be the most effective DIY option (link to ‘sash windows’). If, however, the clearance between the base of the window when open and the sill is less than 3” then another option will need to be considered. These 1/4" diameter ring shank spikes give a higher nail count per pound than 3/8" spikes. The thinner diameter drives easier andhelps to reduce wood splits. STORMGUARD® double hot-dip galvanized zinc coating. It is, of course, the windowsill where a pigeon will perch or roost and not on the window frame itself, although on feature windows in churches and period properties the transom, or stone cross member that forms part of the window frame itself, can be used by pigeons for perching or overnight roosting. We will cover the protection of church windows and similar feature windows under a separate heading. Set up your ladder so that you can safely reach the gutter spike. If two or more gutter spikes are loose in one one spot, you can aim the ladder so that you can reach all of them from the ladder. The object here is to be able to reach as many as possible from each ladder climb. That ladder starts to get heavy the more times you move it around. NAIL THE SPIKE INDid you recently have your roof replaced in the past 2 years? Are your gutter spikes also starting to come loose around the home in some areas? Well if you answered yes to both questions, we can tell you that your gutters are probably loose because you have shingle grit collecting in them. This happens when your gutters aren’t pitched correctly and the water isn’t able to drain properly. If the holes look degraded, drill new holes a little bit below the original ones. Although this gives a slightly off angle, the gutter will remain balanced. Replace with Gutter Screws Our Gutter Spikes will fit all standard half round plastic guttering or hoppers that do not have a lip or ornate design on the front edge. Read on as we detail how to fix loose gutter nails. Plus, we’ll give you reasons why this issue occurs and its negative effects. How to Fix Loose Gutter Nails in 3 Ways
The type of DIY system described for recessed balconies (wire or line suspended above the handrail) is a possible option for this balcony type but it will be considerably more difficult to provide based on the fact that the balcony has three external sides rather than just one. In most cases this system would be too complex to provide as a DIY option. The same applies to netting or meshing this type of balcony. It can be netted or meshed but it will be a complex installation. If wire mesh is used it will need to be made up and provided in panels (one for the front and one each for either side) and if nylon bird netting is used a steel retaining wire will need to be provided around the periphery of the recess, to which the netting would be hooked. Do not, under any circumstances, remove the nest and squabs and put them outside the property in the hope that the parent will feed them – the parent will not continue to feed their young and the squabs will almost certainly die of starvation and/or hypothermia/dehydration. Where a dog-leg section of pipe is concerned the same method can be used to stop perching/roosting, but be aware that the only section of pipe that needs to be protected is the sloping section, not the vertical section. Anti-Roosting SpikesAlthough there is one DIY pigeon deterrent method of protecting these windows, which we will discuss below, there is no doubt that one small strip of anti-roosting spikes is by far and away the easiest and most cost effective option. The use of anti-roosting spikes would still constitute a DIY solution as they can be installed simply and easily by the property owner. The spikes would be glued in place by using a bead of silicone and will be 100% effective. If your gutter spikes keep pulling loose and silt, grit, or other small particles are building up in there, that is a clear indication that the gutter pitch is off. HOW TO FIX LOOSE GUTTER SPIKESIf you do not wish to stop feeding altogether, but need to stop pigeons exploiting the food that you do provide, then you will need to feed exclusively on a bird table or via hanging bird feeders as both facilities can be protected from pigeons. The principle of this DIY method of protecting your bird table or hanging bird feeder is to physically prevent pigeons getting near the food whilst at the same time continuing to allow small birds to access the food. If you normally just throw bird food on the ground in your garden then you must stop doing this and start to use a bird table or hanging bird feeder exclusively. The other option involves meshing the entire window with galvanized wire mesh held in place with silicone. It is advisable to wear protective gear, such as gloves, goggles, masks and old clothes or overalls. The process is simple. Just scoop out all the debris, perhaps spray down with a suitable disinfectant, we would always recommend our Germ Clear™ Bird Droppings Disinfectant Spray A slumping gutter hanging over your head is the last thing you want in your home. Besides the danger it poses, it leads to structural damage as well.
Having a build-up of pigeon poo and rotting debris comes with health risks. Pigeon guano is known to be a contributor to several human diseases and can exasperate those susceptible to lung conditions. Therefore, you need to maintain your gutter spikes and fix them if damaged to keep your gutter in perfect condition. Otherwise, be prepared for the following possibilities: Damage to Property The window frames themselves on this type of building will often be arched and made from either stone or possibly iron. Stone frames can offer optimum roosting opportunities for pigeons on the cross members (or transoms) and it is these areas that are most commonly used by pigeons for the purpose of overnight roosting. The cross members are normally quite wide and can accommodate a number of pigeons when roosting overnight. In a vast majority of cases the cross members upon which pigeons will roost are found close to the top of arched windows and therefore it may only be necessary to protect the upper reaches of the window rather than the whole of the frame. There is a simple and 100% effective DIY pigeon deterrent method of protecting these areas with galvanized (square section) wire mesh. Materials and tools required: A slumping gutter due to loose spikes can cause serious problems. But you can easily solve this with your knowledge of how to fix loose gutter nails.
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Defender® spikes are made from a high-performance plastic which means it is long-lasting and UV-stabilised, this is why it comes with a 15-year warranty. No one wants to keep replacing a product over the years, especially when it is often installed in high inaccessible areas. Defender Ridge Spikes™The industry standard method of protecting ridge tiles is to use anti-roosting spikes. If the DIY option appears to be beyond your capability you may wish to install anti-roosting spikes as an alternative. This product is widely available and probably the most cost-effective commercially available option. Always be careful to source anti-roosting spikes from a well-known manufacturer to ensure a high-quality product.
We usually start on one part of the home, and work our way around the entire home. That way you don’t skip over or miss any sections. SET UP YOUR LADDER Of all the balcony types this is the easiest to protect, whether conventional pigeon deterrent products are used or whether DIY options are considered. Having said this, and irrespective of whether the balcony is recessed or sits proud of the fascia of the building, if balconies to either side or above/below your balcony remain unprotected, pigeon-related activity is likely to continue irrespective of what action you take.
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Birds singing in the garden is often beautiful and relaxing, but birds scrabbling around in gutters often at night is not! Most types of external pipework are installed close to the wall of a building, normally at a distance of approximately 1 to 2” (2.5-5.0 cm) and will normally be either horizontal or vertical. It is, of course, the horizontal pipework that will need to be protected, although any spans of pipe that are provided at a passive angle may also need to be protected. Any pipework provided at an angle of 45 degrees or more need not be protected. days They are whitish grey in colour, have wispy yellow hair (unformed feathers) and blend in very well with their surroundings so they are easy to miss, particularly when found in roof voids and other dark and little used areas of a building. So take care when inspecting the roof void and make sure that you undertake a detailed inspection of every area to ensure that you have identified all the nests, assuming that there are nests.
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