Services - Bird Pest Control

Seagulls

Seagulls are beautiful animals to observe in their natural environment but can be a nuisance to live/work with on your property, causing damage, creating constant noise, mess and health risks from their guano (droppings).

During the breeding season the birds become aggressive if they feel threatened and can be an intimidating force to be reckoned with.

Gull Facts

The number of gulls breeding on rooftops in the UK is increasing by 30% a year. Eggs are laid in May, hatching in June. The most aggressive behaviour occurs in July & August.

Noise problems start as early as March and can go on all through the night. There are increasing reports of gulls attacking people or pets for food and when protecting their young. They can be a danger to the elderly, young children and pets.

Gulls can pick at roofing materials to build nests and the nests themselves block gutters and hold moisture against the structure. Bird Pest Control measures are therefore essential.

Local authorities have no obligations by law to deal with the 'GULL ISSUE' it is down to individual property owners. Adult Gulls are monogamous and will breed for up to 15 years of their lifespan returning to the same spot every year to nest.

Each year they are capable of raising three young. At 3 years old the young themselves are able to breed and will return to their birthplace and fight their parents for the same nest site.

Hence the reason one street may be full of gulls and the next clear. Do the maths ! Over 15 years it is possible for a pair of gulls to replicate themselves 22 times over. All of these gulls will grow up and remain in your local area with very few natural predators to keep them in check. ACT NOW and talk to PWC about Bird Pest Control.

Pigeons are considered a common pest in many built-up areas all year round. The feral pigeon's impressive reproduction rate can mean that a pigeon infestation quickly gets out of hand if left unchecked.

Feral Pigeons have a large number of health risks mainly associated with close human contact with their nests or guano.

Pigeon Facts

Feral Pigeon infestations are a year-round problem. However, it appears that they are more inclined to seek shelter in buildings in the colder months of October - March.

"Bird Pressure" is an important term to understand in pigeon-proofing. Light to Medium pressure areas are generally where the birds perch during the daytime to feed. This may be a ledge or parapet that is not very well sheltered. These areas can be easily proofed using Bird Pest Control measures such as acoustics, spikes, BirdWire or Barrier Coil.

However, high-pressure zones, where the pigeons roost over night and/or build nests will only be successfully proofed by using BirdNet or wire mesh products.

These areas are important to the birds and they will try everything in their power to overcome any light-medium pressure solutions installed. It is therefore imperative that a physical barrier is used to stop them gaining access to the problem area.

The Feral Pigeon (Columba livia) is a determined pest in urban areas. Their compact, lightweight frames coupled with clawed feet make them agile, dextrous and hence able to occupy confined spaces. As the picture on the right demonstrates, very few surfaces will beat a pigeon. Even the smooth spherical surface of these lights is no problem for a pigeon. The mess that they create is an ugly problem.

Many buildings, both old and new, contain numerous ledges, girders and holes that can be used by pigeons as nesting sites. Large numbers of nests are often found under bridges and in derelict buildings

The lofts of houses and commercial premises, where birds have gained access via gaps in the roof, are also common breeding sites. Sheltered pipe work can be a real problem with pigeons. However, we have several tried and tested solutions.

If left unchecked a pigeon problem can cause serious and long-term damage to the fabric of a building. Nests and guano can block rainwater gutters causing flooding and damp problems. Wood rot quickly sets-in in areas where birds have nested in rafters or eaves.

Avoid direct contact with pigeon faeces. Wash hands immediately with anti-bacterial soap. Take-off shoes prior to entering a building if you have walked through droppings. Pigeons are associated with the dissemination of the causative agents of a large number of diseases that can affect the health of humans.

The disease agents identified include fungi, bacteria and a variety of parasites. Examples include Salmonella, Chlamydia, Ornithosis and Vibrio Cholerae. There are more than 30 in total!

Selling your house? Un-checked pigeon infestations and the resulting guano build up can seriously affect the market value of your property.

A heavy infestation will more than likely show up on a surveyor's valuation report for mortgage purposes hampering your chances of a successful sale.

Don't leave it too late. ACT NOW

Guano build-up on floors, pavements and gantries are a serious slip hazard, especially when wet.

If you are an employer or local authority you could be legally liable under Health & Safety regulations for accidents arising from uncleared pigeon droppings.

You owe your employees, customers and the general public a duty of care. ACT NOW

Pigeons feed in flocks with a distinct territory. Flock sizes can vary in size up to as many as 400. An average flock numbers around 150 birds. Numbers depend upon the availability of food and breeding sites.

Pigeons are exceptionally efficient at finding food and are quick to build confidence when establishing a new feeding ground. Pigeons in town centres rely wholly upon food scraps, spillage and feeding by members of the public. We only have our own bad habits to blame for the "urban pigeon issue" we act as hosts to these parasites, providing both food and shelter.

If conditions are favourable the birds will breed throughout the year, but the main period is March - July. About 40% of birds are in breeding condition at any one time. 2 white eggs are laid and are incubated by both parents. About 30% of eggs are successfully reared to fledglings.

The bald chicks are called "squabs". The young squabs are initially fed with a protein rich secretion, but this is quickly replaced by regurgitated pre-digested food. Young birds are independent at 30-37 days and between 4 and 7 broods may be reared per year.

That means that a pair of adults could potentially replicate themselves by a factor of 10 every year!!

They can live & breed for four years, that's 80 fledglings hatched in an adult pigeons life. Small wonder that they are prolific pest!

The undersides of bridges of all kinds provide a large proportion of roost and nest sites for the urban pigeon population. Seagull Deterrent Systems can easily solve this problem in a number of ways depending on the construction of the bridge.

Feral Pigeon infestations are a year-round problem. However, it appears that they are more inclined to seek shelter in buildings in the colder months of October - March. Where birds and bird droppings in particular are causing a problem, proofing if installed correctly is 100% effective day and night for many years as a semi-permanent bird deterrent solution.

Bird Pest Control using Rope Access Bird Proofing - Netting Installing Spiking System

It involves systems of nets, spikes or wires to deny birds access to given buildings or areas. A specialist installation team who carry out this work regularly will attend the location, and as we are an accredited 'safe contractor' you are assured the job will be carried out safely. Our 15 years of experience and knowledge of bird behaviour ensures the result will be an installation that will be sympathetic to the appearance of the building whilst maintaining an effective barrier against birds.

For larger areas, even complete and complex roofs can be proofed with netting to completely exclude birds. Naturally, the areas of a building vulnerable to nesting and roosting birds are often difficult to reach. PWC Bird and Pest Solutions use our own specially trained rope-access teams, who can reach inaccessible areas avoiding the use of scaffolding.

Bird Activity: Pigeons
Where to Use: Pipe work and narrow ledges.
Protects Area: Up to 115mm.
Base Width: 20mm.
Distance Between Wires: 50mm.
Height: 115mm.
Distance Between Spike Tips: 50mm.
Length of Strip: 333mm

Priced Per 1 x metre

Bird Activity: Pigeons
Where to Use: Most building ledges.
Protects Area: Up to 265mm.
Base Width: 45mm.
Distance Between Wires: 21mm.
Height: 139mm.
Distance Between Spike Tips: 140mm.
Length of Strip: 333mm

Priced Per 1 x metre

Bird Activity: Gulls
Where to Use: Most building ledges.
Protects Area: Up to 375mm.
Base Width: 45mm.
Distance Between Wires: 33mm.
Height: 166mm.
Distance Between Spike Tips: 175mm.
Length of Strip: 333mm

Priced Per 1 x metre

Ready made, off the shelf nets suitable for large birds such as pigeons and smaller birds including starlings and house sparrows.

We also supply larger nets and a made to measure net service.

Ready made, off the shelf nets suitable ONLY for large birds such as pigeons and NOT suitable for smaller birds including starlings and house sparrows.