The dangers of bird nests and why you want to keep them off your building

It’s spring and birds will be arriving to build nests on your building. Bird nests built under roofing tiles will dislodge tiles, which can lead to costly roof leaks when rains arrive. The same holds true when birds build nests in rain gutters, which will clog them just enough for rainwater to rise and seep under roofing tiles to cause leaks. In colder climes, birds will look for warm places to build their nests, which is why you’ll often find them in and around lighted signage and warm electrical motors, compressors and other electrical equipment. Nests built in and around these areas can lead to electrical fires.

Bird nests built over shop floors can create a problem for workers who must deal with the distraction of birds and their droppings (droppings that can cause dangerous slip-and-fall hazards). If you store, process or serve food, bird nests and the droppings they contain can carry any of 60 known diseases. This can cause a business to be shut down by health inspectors.

The best way to prevent birds from nesting is to implement effective and humane bird control measures—before they arrive. Here’s what the bird control pros at Bird B Gone recommend.

Stainless Steel Bird Spikes

Available in three different widths—3-, 5- and 8-inch—Bird B Gone Stainless Steel Bird Spikes won’t allow birds to land, much less build a nest. The base of these spiked strips is just 1.5 inches wide, so they can easily be installed on very narrow surfaces. A built-in glue tough and pre-drilled mounting holes allow for fast, easy installation. The spiked strips can be affixed to any surface using commercially available glues, screws or tie downs. A flexible base—which bends a full 360 degrees—allows the spiked strips to easily follow a variety of curved exterior surfaces. A patented “bend and crush” design keeps the spikes embedded in an unbreakable UV-protected polycarbonate base.

Bird Net 2000 Heavy Duty Bird Netting

Creating a physical barrier that denies pest birds access, Bird Net 2000 Heavy Duty Bird Netting provides a humane, proven-effective bird deterrent. This netting is often specified by architects and contractors because it has been shown to prevent birds from nesting in specific areas. Made of tough UV-stabilized polyethylene, Bird Net 2000 is specially fabricated to withstand today’s demanding industrial and commercial environments. The netting is rot-proof, waterproof and flame resistant. It remains an effective bird deterrent through a punishing range of temperatures—from -250F to +270F.

Bird Slope Panels

Bird-B-Gone’s Bird Slope panels deny birds access to the many 90-degree nooks and crannies in and around a building. When pest birds attempt to land on these angled, slippery panels, they slide off. And if they can’t land, they can’t build a nest. The panels are easily screwed, glued or nailed to any flat surface. A glue trough on the underside of each panel simplifies installation using standard outdoor polyurethane adhesives. A convenient "snap on" Bird Slope comes in two colors—stone and grey. Bird Slope panels are made of UV-protected PVC material for lasting durability in punishing weather, and they are non-conductive for extra safety near electrical wiring.

Copper Stuf-Fit Mesh Bird Deterrent

Ideal for keeping both large and small birds out of small crevices, holes and nooks in a building, Bird-B-Gone’s Copper Stuf-Fit mesh is easily “shaped” to seal out smaller pest birds. The mesh comes in 6-inch wide, 20-foot rolls. It’s also rustproof and stainproof (steel wool will rust, run and stain your carport). Copper Stuf-Fit even keeps birds from working their way under roofing shingles and nesting around conduit and lighting fixtures.

Consult the Experts: Bird B Gone

Bird B Gone offers a number of deterrents and repellents for keeping pest birds away from buildings, structures and wide-open areas. If you’re unsure about which product would work best for your specific situation, Bird B Gone has over 90 years of combined experience in the field of bird control. We can help you with product selection, installation and cleanup. Just call us at (800) 392-6915 for a catalog, pricing, or product samples or email us at nobirds@birdbgone.com. We also work with a network of authorized installers, call today for a trained bird control professional in your area.