Wood Spike

Pigeon Spikes…Pest Birds get the Point

On a one-on-one basis, pigeons are some of our finest feathered friends. During World War II, they helped carry critically vital messages across enemy lines. But en masse, they make a mess. So much so that feeding them was banned in many cities. They left their deposits on our finest statues and building facades. Tennis players at Wimbledon were often distracted by pigeons swooping down on Centre Court. In some cases marksmen were hired to shoot down the dive-bombing pests. But environmentalists came to their rescue. Finally, man was forced to come up with humane alternatives to deter the beloved pigeon. One of the most effective is the pigeon spike.

This low-tech method of pigeon control became the modus operandi for all those who could no longer deal with these pests and their unwanted deposits. The truth is, the pigeon spike couldn’t have come a day too soon for home and boat owners, property and city managers, architects, churches, sports fans and ballpark owners, the list goes on and on.

Who can blame them? Your typical pigeon dumps approximately 25 pounds of poop annually. The high concentration of uric acid found in pigeon poop can discolor paint, stain wood, erode metal, even turn concrete and expensive stonework to crumbling dust. Pigeon poop is expensive to remove, especially from hard-to-reach areas. Crews with boom lifts and steam hoses can take days to remove the stains from large building facades. The pigeon spike helps control the damage this feathered pest is costing America–estimated at over $1.1 billion a year.

Then there’s the health risk of bacteria, fungi and parasites that live and grow in the droppings, which can carry and transmit any of 60 known diseases. The fleas, mites and ticks that attach themselves to pigeons can also carry disease. Again, the pigeon spike comes to the rescue.

While there are all sorts of ways to humanely discourage pigeons from landing and nesting in areas we’d rather have them avoid, the pigeon spike remains one of the most common and effective pigeon control devices. Their 4-1/4” spikes look menacing, but they’re harmless to pigeons and other birds. Some spikes are made of stainless steel, others feature rigid U.V.-resistant unbreakable polycarbonate. They are usually placed to cover an entire ledge while sealing off corners and open sides to keep the smart birds from sneaking around them. Pigeons, especially, will land on roof peaks, where they perch, on the lookout for food, a place to roost or a sheltered area to build a nest.

Some pigeon spikes are recommended by architects, contractors and government agencies. Most stainless steel spikes will prevent pigeons from landing or roosting on rooflines, parapet walls, I-beams, window ledges, and other similar areas. Some feature a no-gap design to deter large birds. Spikes are generally available in 3”, 5” and 8” widths and two-foot sections for fast installation. They can be glued down or nailed or screwed into any surface and are virtually invisible when installed. Some even feature a flexible base that allows them to be easily installed on curved surfaces (they’ll bend a full 360 degrees to fit any contoured surface).

Those on a budget might consider plastic pigeon spikes. Made from unbreakable UV-protected polycarbonate, they are as tough as their steel counterparts–at just half the cost. Other than economy, their chief applications advantage is that they are non-conductive and will not interfere with electrical or communication transmissions.

About the Author

Alex Kecskes is a freelance writer focusing on humane and effective bird control methods.

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