Education

Effective Bird Control for Schools and Universities

Education

Pest birds have long posed a costly and hazardous problem for many schools and universities. Most campuses have open courtyards, outdoor eating areas and typically overflowing garbage cans and dumpsters. This is where birds like to loiter for food scraps.

Unless deterred by effective bird control measures, hungry birds will simply wait on roof lines, ledges, alcoves or other lofty perches until lunch is over to swoop down and feast on the leftovers.

Major Health Risk

After feasting on “schoolyard snacks,” birds will leave mounds of droppings on lunch tables, benches, walkways and playground equipment. If these droppings are not removed, students will be exposed to any of 60 transmittable diseases—such as Salmonella and ecoli—these droppings can carry. In addition, birds commonly nest near rooftop HVAC units for their warmth and water. When dried bird droppings accumulate near these units, they can be sucked into ventilation systems to spread disease-carrying spores into classrooms. Those with compromised immune systems are most at risk. Students can also slip and fall on fresh bird droppings, a huge liability for any school district.

Schools Damaged by Birds

Pest birds can do considerable damage to school buildings. Nesting debris can interfere with AC vents, skylights, solar panels, signage, lighting fixtures and security cameras. This debris can also clog up rain gutters, leading to roof leaks.

The acidic nature of bird droppings can “eat” into and permanently damage steel, aluminum, vinyl, plastic and glass. Bird droppings can also “freeze up” windows that are designed to open.

Early Bird Control Tactics

Ideally, bird control measures should be installed when schools are built, or at least before pest birds arrive. A proactive approach is the best way to prevent defacement and damage. The next best tactic is to deter birds as soon as they’re noticed. Wait too long and it becomes increasingly difficult to remove them.

Bird Controls to Match Your Need

Bird controls most often recommended for schools and universities include:

  • Stainless Steel Pigeon Spikes

    Available in 1-, 3-, 5- and 8-inch splay widths to provide increasingly wider areas of protection for school rooftops, signage, bleacher lights and parapet walls. The spiked strips feature a patented “bend-and-crush” design, which means the spikes are firmly embedded in an unbreakable UV-protected polycarbonate base. This flexible base bends a full 360 degrees, so it can easily “follow” a variety of shapes.

  • Bird Jolt Flat Track Kit

    This low-profile, electric track system produces a harmless electric shock that “educates” pest birds to stay off horizontal surfaces. Lightweight and flexible, the track is easy to install—it bends 360° to wrap around school signage—without compromising its electrical integrity. It’s the only electric track bird deterrent system with patented anti-arcing and glue troughs designs for improved safety and performance. Available in six colors.
  • Bird Net 2000

    Recommended for excluding pest birds from school breezeways, overhangs and other semi-enclosed areas, Bird Net 2000 3/4” mesh netting creates a physical barrier that won’t allow birds to land or nest. The netting is easy to install using Bird B Gone’s complete line of professional grade installation hardware.

  • Bird Slope

    This physical bird deterrent blocks birds from landing or nesting in 90° areas, such as open ledges or eaves. Effective for deterring small and large birds, each sloped section is 4 feet long and will cover a ledge up to 7” wide. The panels are made of UV- protected PVC to ensure sun and weather resistance.

  • Bird Wire

    A safe and humane bird deterrent, Bird B Gone’s Bird Wire System is often specified by architects and government agencies, since it offers an affordable, low profile, low visibility solution to the problem of pest birds. The post-and-wire system uses a wire attached to springs, which are affixed to posts, walls or similar mounts. When birds land on the wire, the system causes birds to wobble, making birds feel insecure enough to leave.

Expert Assistance

If you’re unsure about which product would work best for your specific situation, Bird B Gone has over 80 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.

Education