Bird-Proofing Strategies 101: Save on Maintenance Costs & Preserve Property Value

Birds may seem harmless, but if you aren’t proactively maintaining a deterrent system, they can cause damage that’ll cost you more than headaches and foul smells. Bird proofing is essential to prevent damage from pest birds, which can degrade building materials, affect aesthetics, and introduce health hazards through droppings and nesting materials. Without effective deterrents, buildings may face escalating maintenance costs and potential risks to occupants’ health from bacteria and parasites birds can carry. Let this article be your guide to keep your buildings looking beautiful, safe, and operational.

The Importance of Bird Deterrents for Buildings

Birds like pigeons, starlings, and sparrows are more than nuisances you can wave away with your hand. They can cause structural damage through corrosive droppings and nesting, clogging gutters and leading to water damage and degrading building materials. Their presence also introduces health hazards, carrying diseases and parasites. Bird-proofing measures, like netting and spikes, are essential to preserve property value, maintain aesthetics, and ensure safety.

Damage Caused by Birds

Birds cause extensive damage to buildings, primarily through their droppings, which are highly acidic and corrode materials like stone, metal, and paint. Over time, this can deteriorate surfaces and lead to costly repairs. Birds also often nest in drainage systems, blocking water flow and causing structural water damage that creates hazardous conditions for occupants. The pigeon population typically grows 30-35% per year, and a single pigeon can produce up to 25 pounds of droppings annually, further increasing cleanup costs and repair needs. These combined issues underscore the importance of bird proofing to protect structural integrity and maintain a safe, clean environment.

Health Hazards from Bird Infestations

Bird infestations on buildings pose serious health risks. Birds carry diseases like histoplasmosis and ornithosis, which spread through droppings and feathers, endangering the health of occupants. Bird droppings create unsanitary conditions, encouraging mold growth and releasing airborne contaminants that deteriorate indoor air quality. Over time, regular exposure to these contaminants can lead to respiratory problems, particularly for maintenance staff who regularly clean affected areas. Addressing bird infestations promptly with bird deterrents is essential to prevent the spread of pathogens and maintain a healthy environment, safeguarding the well-being of building occupants and maintenance teams.

Common Bird-Proofing Methods

Various bird-proofing solutions, from physical barriers like nets and bird deterrent spikes to advanced deterrents such as sonic devices, can be implemented. Each method can be customized to address specific bird species and your building’s needs, ensuring effective control. Bird-proofing solutions, you can prevent nesting, protect structures, and maintain a cleaner environment for your occupants and visitors.

Bird Netting

Imagine a pristine courtyard or parking garage, free of bird mess and debris—bird netting likely made it possible. This durable, UV-resistant polyethylene netting is ideal for large areas like rooftops, enduring sun, wind, and rain for up to 10 years with proper installation. It creates a reliable barrier, keeping birds out to maintain cleanliness and structure. With netting in place, facilities managers can rest assured their property is safeguarded against bird mess and costly repairs with a highly effective solution for blocking birds from entering protected spaces.

Electrified Bird Deterrents

Another discreet and practical solution for keeping birds away from sensitive areas is electrified bird deterrents. By delivering a harmless static shock, these systems condition birds to avoid treated zones, making them ideal for high-visibility spaces where aesthetics matter, like balconies in apartment complexes, signage at stadiums, and entrance awnings at office buildings. Thin, low-profile strips blend into the building design without detracting from its appearance. Electrified bird deterrents have proven effective in repelling birds after repeated exposure. Maintenance professionals often use them, offering a reliable way to protect buildings and reduce maintenance related to bird mess and damage.

Additional Bird Deterrents: Spikes, Wires & More

Beyond netting and electrified deterrents, bird-proofing options like reflective tape, sound systems, and deterrent spikes provide customizable, humane solutions to fit various spaces and budgets. Effective, discreet options include TightLine Bird Wire,  low-profile bird deterrent wires ideal for historic sites, and Bird Coil, a nearly invisible stainless steel coil for narrow surfaces. Durable deterrent spikes prevent perching, while visual deterrents and sound devices emit distress calls that target specific bird species but may lose effectiveness over time. These tailored solutions allow property owners to ensure humane, effective bird control across diverse environments.

The Best Bird-Proofing Strategies Require the Right Partner

Property owners must bird-proof their homes to prevent damage, reduce health risks, and maintain property value. Effective solutions depend on bird species, your building type, and your specific needs. Partnering with a leader in bird control ensures optimal installation and maintenance through customized solutions featuring netting, bird-deterrent wires, shock tracks, bird-deterrent spikes, and more. Our tailored approach ensures long-term effectiveness, so request a quote and start your bird-proofing journey today.