Bird Free Fire Gel
 installers - quick guide

For guaranteed effectiveness however, all existing bird fouling including nests, etc, must be removed from the area to be protected before the Fire Gel is installed  ...proper preparation is key to success!

While the active ingredients of Fire Gel are food grade natural oils, as used in oriental herbal remedies and food preparation, installers are recommended to take safety precautions when using the product, or clearing the site of existing bird droppings, etc, prior to installation. 

This quick guide is offered as a brief introduction to the work involved and the safety issues to be considered relating to the successful installation of Bird Free Fire Gel, but we strongly recommend that before undertaking any installation, you view the Manufacturers Installation Guide (see: PDF doc. in right hand panel), which offers a more in depth guide to all aspects of the work, safety issues, etc.

      Cleaning & preparing the site

      Installing Bird Free Quick Gel

      Safety considerations 

      Other useful information

That means removing all existing signs of bird habitation including nests, as well as bird droppings, which contain bird hormones which themselves form a very strong attraction for the birds to return. 

Bird droppings also contain airborne bacteria, so it is strongly recommended that before commencing the clean up, which will typically involve the use of scrapers, stiff brushes, wipes, etc., the area to be cleaned, be damped down with a diluted biocide or detergent solution.

Note: allow cleaned surfaces to dry fully prior to installing Bird Free Fire Gel, as silicon adhesive to hold the Gel dishes in position (or the repellent where applied directly) will typically bond poorly or not at all, to wet or damp surfaces. 

       Useful tools include:

• scrapers

• shovel

• stiff brushes

• disposable wipes

• water (plus biocide or detergent)

• waste disposal bags

This will vary according to the density of the bird presence, but in general terms there are three categories;

1. Low pressure areas - i.e. loafing areas where birds have access to food, etc
   
2. Medium pressure areas - Semi Habitat - generally tight spaces that only birds can access and which provide shelter from the cold, etc
   
3. High pressure areas - Habitat - the highest level of density - typically the actual nest area

see the spacing guidelines below

for the different types of habitat

and bird pressure levels

characteristics;

• Low pressure areas are very diverse in nature; they include roofs, roof tops and roof lines, the upper parts of buildings, window sills, gutter edges and pipework, signs, ornamental copings, cornices, ledges, and similar surfaces.
  
• Areas where many birds congregate, such as the top or the edges of a roof.

Once Bird Free is applied, birds will avoid congregating or loafing at low pressure sites.

click on image to enlarge

In order to prevent birds from
congregating in low pressure areas
the recommended spacing of dishes
is 8 ~ 10 inches (20~25cm). 

In perching or loafing areas
that attract fewer birds
the recommended spacing
is 12 ~ 20 inches (30~50cm).

• These are usually tight spaces that only birds can access; eg, sheltered ledges beneath balconies, between buildings, etc.
  
• This type of site is a “semi-habitat”; undeterred, birds may subsequently adopt such a site as a habitat for nesting.

Note: It is important to block up any cavities which might afford access to such sheltered area as they are ideal locations for roosting and, subsequently, nesting.

Guide to spacing - medium pressure areas

click on image to enlarge

The recommended spacing of dishes
in medium density locations
is 8 ~ 10 inches (20 ~ 25cm).

• On average, the size of the habitat is about 20 inches (50cm), horizontally and vertically.
  
• These areas have a very strong attraction for birds due to their homing instinct and deposits of hormones in such locations.

Note: while not recommended, if it is difficult to fix dishes to the surface, Bird Free can be applied directly onto the surface to be protected in a circular form (see diagram right). Use the same amount as in the dishes (15g).

If the repellent is to be applied direct onto surface, check the surface to which Bird Free is to be applied. (Treat porous surfaces such as wood, stone, or concrete with an undercoating such as paint or sealant before applying Bird Free. On asphalt or wood shingles, or on any other surface from which relatively easy removal of product is desired, apply waterproof tape or similar material before applying Bird Free to the tape rather than its substrate.

Guide to spacing - high pressure areas

click on image to enlarge

The recommended spacing of dishes
in high density locations
is 4 ~ 6 inches (10 ~ 15cm).

diagram showing gel applied direct
to surface (spacing as per in dishes) 

The Gel is applied to the area to be protected by dispensing it (using a standard mastic gun), into the plastic dishes supplied.

15 dishes are supplied with each tube, these are stuck or otherwise fixed into the required positions.

Typically the dishes will be bonded to the receiving surface using a suitable clear silicone adhesive such as Silirub. 

As an alternative, optional magnetic dishes are available for use on ferrous metal surfaces such as galvanised steel.

Special hangers are also available to facilitate the hanging of dishes in trees or on to cables, ...while standard cable ties are ideal for securing dishes to pipework, etc.

Where none of the standard fixing options can be used, Bird Free Fire Gel can be applied directly to the receiving surface (some pre preparation of the surface may be required - see the guidance note in the "Dish spacing in high pressure areas" section above).

Generally, the Gel dishes will be fixed in position before the Gel is added to them.

This is normally done using a clear silicone adhesive (such as Silirub), which provides a strong bond, but is easily cleaned off the receiving surface at a future date if required. 

fixing dishes in position

click on image to enlarge

... once the dishes have been fixed in position, the Gel is added to them
    (add approx. 15g of Gel to each dish)

filling the dishes with Bird Free Fire Gel

The Cartridge contains 250ml of gel, so there's about 10% more in the cartridge than you'll need for the 15 dishes supplied.

click on above image to enlarge

General:

• Do not get in eyes or on clothing
• Avoid contact with skin
• Wear goggles or face shield and gloves
• Wash thoroughly with soap and water after handling
• Remove contaminated clothing and wash clothing before reuse
• Keep out of lakes, ponds, and streams
• Do not contaminate water sources by cleaning equipment or disposing of waste
• To reduce potential exposure to bird-related diseases, wear waterproof gloves and a suitable respirator (filtered - type 3 recommended)
• Prepare surfaces to be treated by removing bird nests, dirt, droppings and other debris
• Use water mixed with biocide or detergent, to wet surfaces where droppings are present to limit the generation of airborne dust during cleaning operations

Clean up:

• Remove used dishes and treat as a pesticide disposal (see below)
• In case of direct application or contact, remove product from the person and application equipment using soap and water
• Clean treated surfaces by removing tape or silicone adhesive where if used and by scraping off product. Clean with disposable cloth soaked in soap and water (wear appropriate skin and respiratory protection when performing these tasks)

Storage:

• Store the product in an area inaccessible to children and pets
• Do not store near food or feed
• Do not store in an environment which will corrode the plastic cartridge tube
• Any leaking cartridge should be disposed of as directed below

Pesticide Disposal:

• Wastes resulting from the use of this product may be disposed of on site or at an approved waste disposal facility
• Do not place unused product down any indoor or outdoor drain

Warning

	"Keep Out of Reach of Children" The product causes skin irritation on contact and will cause discomfort for a period until the effect wears off The product causes substantial but temporary eye irritation (similar to rubbing your eyes after chopping fresh chillies!).  wearing of safety goggles / eye protection and gloves is strongly recommended at all times whilst handling the product
	Recommended basic safety equipment: waterproof gloves eye protectors respirator mask coveralls (disposable overalls)       Note:   To avoid the need for cleaning after use, many installers prefer to use disposable items (where available) from the the above list Obviously other safety considerations and equipment may also be relevant where installers will be working at height or in hostile environments, etc.

• Safety spectacles tend to be more comfortable to wear than safety goggles when worn continuously for lengthy periods ...but do choose a close fitting wrap around pair that provide good protection.
  
• For spectacle wearers, safety overspecs or a full clear face visor will offer a practical alternative to safety goggles.
  
• Disposable waterproof gloves tend to be the preferred hand protection as they allow good tactile contact with the equipment used during cleaning and installation
  
• Using a good respirator / dust mask is strongly recommended and need not be expensive. Because of the potential contact with airborne dust and bacteria during the cleanup operation, a "P3" grade filtered respirator is the preferred choice. These are available either as reusable (which will require regular filter changes), or low cost disposable types. Whichever type you choose however, remember to choose one with a built in exhaust valve which allows heat (from your out-breath) to escape, making the mask comfortable to wear for longer periods of continuous use.
  
• Disposable coveralls (full overalls) are inexpensive and provide protection for your normal clothing, eliminating the need to wash clothing after cleaning or installation operations. Remember to choose a size or two larger than your normal clothing however, or you could find yourself literally bursting at the seams!

links to:

Safety Workwear Web-shop page

Now you can buy Bird Free Fire Gel on line;

Whether you're a private home owner, a small business or buyer for a large company or local authority, we'd be happy to supply you with your Bird Free Fire Gel supplies. 

Need just a single tube?  a large quantity?  or just advice, whatever your needs, we'll be pleased to help.

• buy individual tubes
• take advantage of our special cost saver multipacks 
• call for prices if you need large quantities

tel: 01273 475500