Bye Bye Birdies

The Amtrak train depot in Whitefish, Mont., was constructed in 1927. Its design, featuring several exposed 4x4 beams supporting a gambrel roof, is patterned after the Glacier National Park chalets. For nearly 40 years, the depot was a fully operational facility. By the late 60s, however, the station had become simply a switching yard for the Midwest.

Over the years, pigeons wreaked havoc on the depot’s day-to-day operations. They not only roosted and nested in the eaves but also created an unpleasant dropping zone where Amtrak patrons waited outside the building for their train.

In 1992, the Burlington Northern Historical Society, the Whitefish Historical Society, Amtrak and the Whitefish Chamber of Commerce restored the building to its original design, upgrading it to comply with today’s building codes. The exterior was completely repainted and all rotted wood was replaced. During the construction process, the birds retreated.

But upon completion, pigeons moved back in and began causing serious cosmetic damage as well as potential health hazards.

It didn’t take long for the Historical Society members to realize they had to take steps to eliminate their bird problem, or otherwise face exorbitant maintenance and repair costs. Bird droppings would not only spoil the building’s appearance but could also ruin paint and damage the roof.

Before contacting a pest control professional, the group tried various bird-control strategies on its own. The first attempt involved using a "scare" balloon with eyes. They had read the device would eliminate birds roosting on beam areas. The balloon, however, wasn’t able to withstand the climatic changes in the Northwest and proved ineffectual at deterring the birds.

After the visual device failed, they tried an auditory scare tactic. A capgun was periodically fired in attempts to frighten the birds away. This also proved to provide only temporary relief from the birds.

At this point, the Historical Society contacted Ray Coffey, president of Integrated Pest Management, Inc., of Whitefish, to recommend a method of bird management that would resolve the issue at the depot. Coffey presented five solutions to the committee:

First, he said, they could do nothing. They could try to live with the situation, undesirable as it might be. But, he told them, this was against his professional judgment. A second option would be to increase the number of "scare" balloons to five. However, he pointed out, this alternative would detract from the appearance of the building and may not prove effective.

Third, they could use a chemical repellent or sticky substance. This would achieve the desired results but would also require a high level of maintenance. Dust kicked up in the area from trains passing through, as well as harsh winters, would necessitate the product being removed and reapplied on a regular basis.

"We estimated it would require quarterly maintenance," said Coffey, "which would become economically unsound due to the fact that all the beams were between 35 to 45 feet up and a bucket truck would be required for cleaning the beams and reapplying the product. This would be good for our business, but not sound judgment because of the cost." Fourth, an avicide could be used, but the Society did not want to kill the birds.

"My final solution was the use of a mechanical device that would be permanent, would weather well, be aesthetically pleasing, and not detract from the architectural design of the building," said Coffey. "Needle strips (also known as porcupine wire or spikes) are one of the most effective products for use on ledges, beams, building projections, rafters, lights, eaves, dormers, cupolas, signs, statues, and similar areas." Coffey pointed out that needle strips can be expensive to install, but in the long-run prove to be more economical. Plus, needle strips cause no harm to birds and are approved by leading bird and humane societies, such as the Humane Society of the United States. The deterrent works simply by preventing birds from landing and roosting on the protected areas.

CHOOSING AND ORDERING THE PRODUCT. While a number of fine bird control products are available, Coffey decided to use Nixalite Stainless Steel Needle Strips. Nixalite of America has been manufacturing and installing needle strips since 1950, which are considered the original "porcupine wire."

"Upon receiving my price list from Nixalite and the appropriate method of measuring, I went to work," said Coffey. "I spent the better part of one day just measuring. Then I wrote my proposal, which was accepted." Coffey began installation of the product in mid-May, 1996. The installation took just over three days, using a two-man crew and a bucket truck.

Before ordering needle strips, Coffey points out, the prospective building must be studied carefully to see where the birds are landing, roosting and nesting. When needle strips are installed at these areas, the birds may move to other locations on the building, necessitating additional needle strips.

Furthermore, says Cory Gellerstedt, co-president of Nixalite of America, Inc., when purchasing needle strips, the pest control professional must know the width and length of the roosting and nesting places that need to be treated. Coffey, an experienced bird control professional himself, agrees.

"Accurate measurements are essential to correct installation," Coffey said. "Measure! Measure! Measure! And communicate! Our client changed his order midway through the project, increasing costs and materials, which delayed completion of the project by six weeks. When the job was complete, we had applied more than 620 feet of Colorcoat Nixalite, a custom powder-coated option."

After the measuring process, Nixalite’s Gellerstedt will help pest control professionals with the application instructions. "If a PCO provides us with dimensions and pictures of the job, or rough drawings, or blueprints," said Gellerstedt, "we will draw up complete instructions for each individual job; and this is a free service. This is quite helpful when preparing proposals and for PCOs to follow."

Before ordering the product, PCOs must also know the type of surfaces where the needle strips will be affixed: Are the surfaces flat, curved or irregular? Made of wood, metal or masonry? Also, a determination must be made of what type of fastening device will be required to affix the needle strips to the surface, whether it be nails, screws, wire ties, or some other fastener. Some bird-control product manufacturers provide a special adhesive that bonds to a broad range of materials including wood, concrete, metal, plastic, glass, vinyl and marble. Ask the manufacturer for suggestions.

"When pricing a job, don’t panic when you see the cost of the product because you’re not done yet," noted Coffey. "Some companies charge anywhere from two-and-a-half to 10 times the amount of materials to cover the costs of labor and equipment needed to install the product."

SAVING CITY HALL. Dave Beshears of A Pest Control, Inc., in Merrillville, Ind., had a similarly challenging but rewarding experience. The East Chicago City Hall, in East Chicago, Ind., had a 30-year-old pigeon problem.

"The pigeons had been on this building for a long, long time," says Beshears. "They weren’t really causing any physical damage to the three-story structure, but the mess from their nests and droppings were seriously marring the appearance of the building."

Beshears had solicited city officials several times over the years to help them with their problem, but they always declined. Then, in 1992, an architect decided to use Nixalite as part of a project that involved construction rehab and an addition to the building. Nixalite was the architect’s choice, but it’s also what Beshears would have chosen.

"We had to rent a 65-foot hydraulic lift to install the needle strips," said Beshears. "The building has a huge facade that is 60 feet up. It also has four ledges, a roof line on top of the facade, and concrete gables. We had to put five rows of Nixalite on top of the facade because of its width. For the low pillar tops, we used little pieces of Nixalite that fit at the top."

The job required three men and two weeks to complete. Beshears installed more than 1,600 feet of the product on masonry using clips, anchors and nails. He admits that the most time-consuming part of the job was the clip that had to be drilled into the concrete to anchor the needle strips. Nixalite offers various special forms, however, that are both labor- and time-saving. For example, the ledge straps consist of the mounting hardware already premounted onto the strap, which is then attached to the structure.

"When you get a job using needle strips, don’t be afraid to charge the money to do the work," advised Beshears. "When you’re 60 feet in the air, you’re placing yourself in some danger. Plus, it takes time to install."

INSTALLATION TIPS. "Don’t forget to factor in the time necessary for the sanitation procedures prior to installation," Coffey points out. "The product will not work as well if the odor of bird droppings and nesting sites is still evident in the area of operation. The entire surface must be properly cleaned, disinfected and repaired if damaged. Next, remove any overhanging branches or foliage above the surface to be protected so birds can’t land to drop nesting materials into the needle strips."

Needle strips must be installed on all existing and potential loafing, nesting and roosting areas. Also, install needle strips as necessary to surfaces directly above the currently infested areas so that birds cannot drop debris into the needle strips from these higher surfaces. Keep in mind that needle strips are only effective where they are applied: nearby areas unprotected by needle strips can encourage roosting. Make a working diagram during the measuring stage and include these other areas. Doing so will translate into a well-covered installation.

Carefully and methodically cover all exposed surfaces and all inside corners and crevices. Because birds are creative and stubborn, complete protection of an area may require vertical, sideways, diagonal or upside down mounting, in addition to the standard flat, right-side up mounting. And because Nixalite, like other bird control products, is available in several different styles, it offers ease of use in many applications.

Special care and ingenuity are needed when installing the product on areas that are well-protected from wind, rain or air currents. This is especially true if these areas are warm. All ledges must be thoroughly covered, protecting the inside corners with wall installations of needle strips, as well as the flat areas. Consider parallel and perpendicular row installation.

Nixalite manufactures special forms, clamps and brackets to fasten needle strips to difficult surface materials and objects. Examples include pipe clamps, gutter straps, I-beam clamps, ridge caps, angle iron clamps, ledge straps and glue clips for adhesive installations. But even with all the tools available, proper application is the major determinant of its success.

"As with any other bird-control product, the effectiveness of needle strips is dependent upon how well you install it," explains Gellerstedt. "If you cram too much of it in a small area, the spines will squash together and give the birds something to stand on. If you use it too sparingly, the birds will find room to land. If you follow the instructions properly, however, you’ll eliminate your clients’ bird problems forever." If a failure occurs after installation, it can usually be tracked down to one or more of five installation errors (see chart, left) including incorrect installation procedure, insufficient needle strips applied, or inadequate removal of nests and bird droppings.

AN ATTRACTIVE, LONG-TERM SOLUTION. "When most people think of needle strips, their first concern is often appearance," says Beshears. "But needle strips blend in very well with any structure. The stainless steel wire construction inconspicuously works in harmony with your structure’s design and surroundings. On smaller buildings they may be faintly visible from the ground, but on larger buildings they are practically invisible. I don’t think anyone would object to the appearance. You’ve really got to look hard for it to even see it."

Nixalite is now available in different colors to suit a structure’s unique complexion. And, thanks to new technology, the needle strips can be custom powder-coated (Colorcoated) to match the existing paint color scheme.

"If you want a permanent solution to your client’s problem, then you should go with needle strips," recommends Beshears. "A product such as Nixalite will last, and it can withstand harsh weather. Needle strips provide a long-term solution."

In March of 1955, Nixalite was installed on Dwight Eisenhower’s 200-year-old farm in Gettysburg, Pa. More than 40 years later, "it’s still working effectively," says Ken Kime, maintenance supervisor at the Eisenhower National Historic Site. "We have no pigeons on the farm." Beshears installed Nixalite on the East Chicago City Hall more than 5 years ago, and there hasn’t been a pigeon on that building since. The Amtrak Train Depot is also pigeon-free.

"Plan your installation carefully, and price your services correctly," advised Coffey. "Needle strips are an investment that will provide protection from pest birds for many years. A good needle strip system often pays for itself in just one year by reducing maintenance, cleaning and structure deterioration costs."

Michael E. Trunko has written more than 150 articles on bird and animal control. He is based in Akron, Ohio.

Sidebar: A WIDE VARIETY OF NEEDLE STRIPS

In addition to Nixalite of America (800/624-1189), there are several other companies which offer needle strips or porcupine wire for bird control. Among them:
Bird-B-Gone, Mission Viejo, Calif. 800/392-6915

Bird Barrier, Redondo Beach, Calif. 800/503-5444

Bird-X, Chicago, Ill. 312/226-2473

Cat Claw, Johnstown, Pa. 800/832-2473

Ecopic Corporation, Birmingham, Mich. 810/647-0505

Hot Foot America, Sausalito, Calif. 800/533-8421

J.T. Eaton & Co., Twinsburg, Ohio 800/321-3421

Sidebar: 5 Common Errors in Bird Control

If failure occurs after installation of a bird control device or system, it can usually be attributed to one or more of the following causes:
Incorrect installation procedure; i.e. not following directions.

Insufficient number of needle strips applied.

Stretching the measurement distances between rows of needle strips.

Not thoroughly cleaning the area of nests and bird droppings before applying the needle strips.

Failing to protect the areas from above with needle strips, so that birds cannot land and drop nesting material into the prongs.