Twice a year, as many as five million birds, representing about 250 species, fly through Chicago. Many birds stay in the Windy City. Among the most common (and troublesome) are pigeons, starlings, and sparrows. These birds have been increasing in number every year. According to the Audubon Society, Chicago’s bird population is up by 60 percent. The good news is, there are humane and effective ways to control where these birds nest and roost.
Chicagoans are long familiar with the signs: “Don’t Feed the Pigeons.”
Among the most common nuisance bird in Chicago, pigeons deface and damage public and private property, including Daley Plaza and as many as 500 of the city’s statues—from Abraham Lincoln to Harry Caray. Perching and nesting on windowsills, gutters, chimneys, scuppers, and decks, pigeons leave mounds of droppings that pose a serious health hazard. Every day, thousands of pigeons flock to the downtown area and all over the rest of the city. Pigeons have been roosting under the Marion Street Metra train viaduct near the downtown shopping district, leaving gobs of potentially disease-carrying droppings everywhere.
Bridgeport in the 3200-block of South Parnell is being invaded by hundreds of starlings, filling trees and depositing bird poop on sidewalks and cars. In addition, the birds make a heck of a racket squawking all night long. The birds flock to the same trees at night, then go out and look for food at daybreak. The starlings come back to the same trees every year. Many residents claim they can’t walk down their block without an umbrella. Some have suggested cutting down the trees where they roost. This is an unpopular solution for many environmentalists, and an avoidable solution when there are other options.
House sparrows build untidy, ball-of-grass nests in spaces around eaves and gutters and are comfortable living in close proximity to humans.
Chicago lawns and grocery store parking lots provide year-round foraging for these birds. Many structures throughout the city provide shelter from Chicago’s harsh winters. The birds often nest in gutter pipes, the bulb rims of traffic lights, and many other nooks and crannies. And like pigeons, sparrows leave acidic droppings virtually everywhere.
The Solution? Effective, Humane Bird Control.
Stainless Steel Bird Spikes. The #1 specified bird spike by architects, contractors, and government agencies, this anti-perching, anti-roosting bird control device is ideal for use against pigeons. The spiked strips are easily installed and are approved by the US Humane Society and PICAS. They feature a patented “bend-and-crush” design so the spikes remain firmly embedded in an unbreakable UV-protected polycarbonate base.
Copper Mesh. Recommended for all those problem areas where house sparrows and starlings always manage to sneak in, Copper Mesh creates a physical barrier that denies them access. Ideal for keeping small birds out of openings and tight spaces too small for regular netting or other products. The mesh is easily shaped into those small areas to effectively block birds from entering. Ideal for use in eaves, roof tiles, retractable awnings, behind signs, where pipes enter siding and foundation, and other small cracks and holes. Choose 20-foot or 100-foot rolls.
Solar Bird Chase Super Sonic. Easy to set up and use, this solar powered deterrent can be placed wherever the sun shines to deter birds from the rooftops of apartments and commercial buildings. On cloudy days, you can plug it into an AC outlet for 4 hours to fully charge the device. Water resistant and designed for outdoor use, it covers a full acre. Distress and predator calls are broadcast for as many as 24 different species of birds. Or you can program it to target a specific bird. And unlike ultrasonic devices, the Bird Chase device emits sounds birds can hear. Being solar powered means the device can easily be placed wherever birds flock—like water towers, antenna arrays, and rooftop AC units.
Bird Net 2000™. Need to block out sparrows, starlings, and pigeons gathering and roosting? Bird Net 2000 gets the job done. This heavy-duty polyethylene bird netting humanely blocks birds from entering unwanted areas—like roofs, warehouses, loading docks, and other semi-enclosed public areas. The netting is made from UV-stabilized knotted polyethylene. It’s flame resistant, and rot resistant and nonconductive and stable in subzero temperatures. Bird Net 2000™ comes in black, stone and white. The black netting carries an industry leading 10-year guarantee and is supported by a complete line of professional grade installation hardware for fast efficient installation. Custom cut nets are available to save on installation and labor.
Bird Jolt Flat Track™. This low-profile, electrical track system is most often specified by architects and government agencies to deter pest birds. It humanely “educates” pest birds with a harmless electrical shock when they land on its surface. The track is crushproof and will continue to work even if stepped on by window washers and maintenance crews. Totally flexible, the track will bend a full 360 degrees. Bird Jolt Flat Track is the only electric track bird deterrent system with patented anti-arcing and glue trough designs, making it the safest most effective electric track available. Once installed, the track is virtually invisible rising just ¼-inch above the surface.
Bird B Gone is the world’s largest manufacturer and distributor of bird control products, providing effective and humane solutions to a bird-free environment. The company provides advice, training, and installation services for those who need help with these and other bird control measures.
Need an installer? Call us today for a bird control product installer in your area 800-392-6915
