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Best Bird Spikes for Pigeons: A Buyer's Guide
Pigeon spikes are widely considered to be the most effective, bird roosting deterrent available on the market today. In fact, most bird control experts agree that pigeon spikes are truly the most effective roosting deterrent when installed correctly and used for the correct application. They are also the best-selling bird deterrent; their versatility, long life, and easy installation make them popular with residential and commercial buyers alike.
Here, the bird control experts at Bird B Gone share all the information you need to purchase and install a pigeon spike system to protect your property.
What are Pigeon Spikes?
The pigeon spike is a bird control device used to prevent pigeons from perching or roosting on any flat surface. A pigeon spike system consists of multiple rows of rods mounted at varying angles into a sturdy base which is then fastened to a flat or curved surface. You may occasionally hear these systems called porcupine systems, since the rods or spikes resemble porcupine needles. That said, it’s important to understand that pigeon spikes are never sharp and are not intended to harm birds in any way; pigeon spikes have dull tips and are completely, 100% safe and humane. The spikes simply and painlessly block the birds’ feet from reaching the flat surface; without a foothold, pigeons can’t roost.
Pigeon spikes are a popular way to prevent roosting. A significant part of the allure of these systems is their simplicity; bird control spikes are simple to understand, install, and maintain. No complicated assembly is required, and maintenance is as straightforward as making sure that the spikes don’t become clogged with leaves or other debris. (Spikes filled with leaves act kind of like a comfy pillow for birds, which totally defeats the intended purpose.) Another factor that contributes to their popularity is cost; no other bird control product is as cost effective in terms of both money and time. Bird spikes do not require costly installation and, once installed, will function effectively for a long, long time. Simply stated, pigeon control spikes are a great way to keep pigeons at bay.
Use pigeon spikes to:
- Prevent pigeon and bird infestations
- Stop the spread of diseases
- Avoid costly property damage
Special Emphasis on Pigeons
While these bird control spike strips are effective against seagulls as well, they are most commonly used for pigeon control in cities and towns. Pigeons are the number one pest bird in the United States and cause more damage to buildings and property than any other species of bird, bar none. Feral pigeons are the most intelligent, most persistent urban dwelling bird species. These uninvited feathered pests move into cities and towns and make themselves comfortable nesting, breeding, roosting, and perching at will in any location they can find. In urban environments, the presence of pigeons or other pest birds is inevitable, and, when pigeons move in, expensive cleanup is not far behind.
And cleanup is a must. Pigeons poop a lot and their poop is a problem.
1. Pigeon Droppings Look Terrible
Salt and pepper trails on sidewalks, walls, lamp posts, signs, and windowsills are just gross.
2. Pigeon Droppings Cause Damage
These droppings are corrosive and, if left to sit untended, will permanently damage almost any building material, including concrete, wood, iron, steel, and stone. They will also eat through paint, ruin cloth canopies and umbrellas, and short out electrical wires.
3. Pigeon Droppings are Toxic
Researchers have found at least 60 different diseases and parasites living happily in bird droppings, many of which can easily be passed to humans and cause serious, even life-threatening, illness. As a result, if you serve food, sell food, or have anything to do with food and health inspectors see evidence of pigeons, they can shut you down.
If you have pigeon problems, pigeon spikes are the answer. Proactive use of spikes completely prevents pigeon problems and installing spikes after cleaning up a pigeon problem prevents recurrence.
Choose the Right Spikes
As mentioned earlier, bird spikes are pretty simple. When choosing the right bird spikes, you need to consider the following:
- Material
- Width
- Spike Length
- Installation location
To help you get the right product for your circumstances, the following is a buyer’s guide.
Material
Pigeon spikes come in two basic materials: plastic and stainless steel. Both types use a UV resistant polycarbonate plastic base, but plastic systems have plastic spikes and stainless steel systems have stainless steel spikes. Both are hard wearing, weather resistant, easy to install, and equally effective at deterring pigeons, but stainless steel spikes tend to be more expensive and carry a longer warranty. In addition, stainless steel spikes have a lower visual impact than plastic; plastic spikes are thicker and may be slightly more visible. Accordingly, plastic spikes come in a variety of colors to help with camouflage.
Width
Understanding width is important to ensuring that your area is fully protected. Pigeons are sneaky and stubborn and will find ways to circumvent your spikes if they are not properly installed. Getting the width right involves measuring both the width of the spike strip and the width of the area to be covered.
Imagine a vertical cross section of a bird control spike strip. It would have the general outline of a rainbow or half circle. With this image in mind, when we talk about width, we are referring to the diameter of the half circle, or the distance between the bases of the rainbow. This represents the span of the spikes and is a measure of the area the spikes will protect. The width of a spike strip is impacted by the number of spikes in the base and their angles. Strips with narrow widths have few spikes that extend from the base at sharp angles and strips with wider widths have more spikes that extend from the base at larger angles.
When installed, to successfully keep pigeons away, the spikes must hang over the edge by at least ½” and be placed no farther away than 1” from any walls. Both plastic and stainless steel strips are available in different widths and can be placed in multiple rows to achieve the required coverage. If you have any questions about calculating the width you need, please contact the bird control experts at Bird B Gone.
Spike Height
Spike length refers the actual length of each protruding spike. Most standard plastic and stainless steel spikes are roughly 5” long, but Bird B Gone also sells a mega stainless steel spike that is 7” long. To be effective at preventing birds from roosting, the spikes need to be longer than the birds’ legs; if the spikes are too short, the birds can stand over them without any uncomfortable prodding. Four to five inches is sufficient to keep most birds away, but if you have larger birds, vultures or geese, for example, roosting on your building, you’ll need longer spikes to keep them at bay.
Installation Location
The great thing about pigeon control spikes is that they can be used in virtually every location. While the fully plastic spikes are a bit more rigid, if you need more flexibility the stainless steel spike strips are able to bend easier due to their polycarbonate plastic base. The base can bend 360 degrees making it effective on a variety of surfaces, including:
- roofs
- eaves
- special architectural features
- signs
- statues
- cables
- aerials
- chimneys
- glass canopies
- I-beams
- lamp posts
- pipes
- awnings
- air conditioning housings
- railings
- boats
- and many, many more
Bird B Gone even offers gutter spikes specially designed for quick and easy installation in gutters.
As you can clearly see, shopping for bird spikes is a breeze.
- Decide whether you’d like to use plastic or stainless steel
- Measure your space to determine the area you need to cover
- Decide if standard spikes will do the trick or if you need taller spikes for bigger birds
That’s it: protecting your property with pigeon control spikes from Bird B Gone is as easy as 1,2,3!
Pigeon Spikes Available from Bird B Gone
Bird B Gone offers four outstanding spike options. Choose the product that is best for you.
Plastic Bird Spikes
These high-quality plastic spikes are made from durable polycarbonate plastic. They are weatherproof and UV resistant and carry a 5-year warranty. Strips are sold in 2’ sections that are notched for tool-free break away. Plastic bird spikes are available in 3”, 5”, and 7” widths and in six different colors.
Pros
- Easy installation
- High durability
- Inexpensive
Cons
- Not flexible
- More visible than stainless steel spikes
- Shorter expected life than stainless steel spikes
Stainless Steel Bird Spikes
Our stainless steel spikes is our most popular spike and is the #1 spike specified by architects and contractors. Each spike strip consists of stainless steel spikes mounted in a flexible polycarbonate base that’s notched for easy, tool-free break away. The pins do not hurt birds, do not fall out of the base, and are spaced to deter nesting. Stainless steel spikes are available in 2’ lengths and in 1”, 3”, 5”, and 8” widths and carry a 10-year warranty.
Pros
- Flexible
- Easy installation
- High durability
- Virtually invisible
- Long life
Cons
- More expensive than plastic spikes
Mega Bird Spikes
Mega Bird Spikes are the same, high-quality spikes as our stainless steel spikes but with taller spikes designed to deter larger birds. They feature 7” spikes mounted in the same flexible, notched polycarbonate base and come with a 10-warranty. Spike strips come in 2’ lengths and are built to protect a 5” ledge.
Pros
- Easy installation
- Effective at deterring large birds
- High durability
- Virtually invisible
- Long life
Cons
- More expensive than plastic spikes
Gutter Bird Spikes
Stainless Steel Gutter Bird Spikes from Bird B Gone are great for deterring pigeons, seagulls or larger birds from landing in gutters. Separate clips or hardware are not required; each strip comes with three “c” clamps along its base that can be easily tightened with the attached thumb screw for easy installation. Gutter spikes consist of stainless steel pins mounted in a UV protected polycarbonate base.
Pros
- Easy installation in gutters
- Effective at deterring pigeons and seagull-sized birds
- High durability
- Long life
Cons
- Gutter location makes these spikes fairly visible
Get the Job Done Right
Your bird control plan requires a strategic approach to be successful.
1. Clean Up
Birds are attracted to their own messes, so removing evidence of prior bird habitation is critical. If the mess is a big one, you need to get a professional involved to clean it up safely. If you notice signs of nesting in the area, spikes are not the right answer. Spikes actually help birds build better nests by offering an underlying supportive structure, so you’ll need to seek out a different solution.
2. Prep
Installation is simple, but careful prep is required to ensure the adhesive does its job. Make certain the surface is clean and dry before installing bird control strips.
3. Measure
Find the length and width of the space and plan to protect the entire area. Careful measuring will help you get the right kind and number of strips. Keep in mind that birds are creatures of habit; they’ll simply look for another place to roost close by if the find spikes in their favorite spot. Placing pigeon spikes anywhere birds might roost is the only way to fully protect your property.
4. Install
Make sure to use an appropriate adhesive. Bird B Gone recommend several good adhesives, but any outdoor construction grade adhesive will work. Once strips are glued to the surface, you can use screws or nails for additional security. You can also use zip ties for temporary installations.
Solving Problems with Bird B Gone
Bird B Gone’s mission is simple: we’re here to help our customers solve their bird control problems. Pigeon spikes are an excellent tool for deterring pigeons and preventing damage. We offer a wide range of bird control solutions to meet a wide range of bird challenges. Call us today to learn how we can help you keep birds away.