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Bird Free Gel Remains Effective for Over 8 Years
Our Bird Free Gel is growing in popularity as people discover its long-term efficacy and ease of use. Read our latest blog to learn how this incredible bird deterrent remains effective for more than 8 years.
Dealing with problem birds can be very challenging. Pest birds are attracted to locations where there is plenty of food along with safe and sheltered places to perch, build nests and raise their young. Pigeons and seagulls are at the top of the UK’s list of pest birds, but starlings, crows and even sparrows can also be problematic in some locations.
One of the main issues caused by unwanted pest birds congregating in a specific area is the mess and danger to health caused by their droppings. Most of us will have seen areas, heavily polluted with bird droppings, underneath ledges where birds like to perch. When wet, these accumulated bird droppings become very slippery and dangerous to walk on. And there are a number of nasty diseases associated with bird faeces including histoplasmosis, cryptococcosis and psittacosis. Bird droppings are also highly acidic which can cause damage to buildings if allowed to accumulate. And bird droppings discolour brickwork and make any affected signage look unsightly.
Bird Free Gel Remains Effective for Over 8 Years
Field trials carried out at a pigeon night-time roosting site showed how Bird Free Gel remained effective for over 4 years leading to the UK Health and Safety Executive acknowledging that “Bird Free will remain effective for a minimum period of 4 years”. Numerous ongoing case studies in a wide variety of locations have now demonstrated that Bird Free Gel remains effective for over 8 years.
Pigeons Banished from Italy’s Largest Shopping Centre
Milan’s “Il Centro” shopping centre had already attracted unwanted pigeons even before construction was complete. Their droppings were already fouling the extensive glass facades ahead of the grand opening scheduled to take place in April 2016. Bird Free Gel was deployed to the site in February 2016 and the problematic pigeons immediately moved on. The Bird Free Gel deterrent solution has remained effective ever since and none of the shopping centre’s tenant businesses have experienced any subsequent pigeon fouling issues.
Pigeon Nesting Prevented after Anti Bird Spikes had Failed
A Barcelona Hospital had attempted to use anti bird spikes to deter nesting pigeons. But the pesky birds had simply built their nests on top of the spikes and the hospital needed to invest in daily cleaning operations to deal with the mess they were making.
In May 2018 professional pest controllers removed all of the bird nests and ineffective anti bird spikes, replacing them with distributed dishes of Bird Free Gel. The result was immediate. The pigeons vacated the hospital rooftops and have never returned.
Pigeons Love to Perch and Poo on Shop Signage
Shop signage covered in bird droppings doesn’t convey a very positive impression to potential customers. And its not only shop signage that’s adversely impacted by unwanted pest birds. Signage at railway stations, hotels and public buildings can also be very attractive to pest birds looking for somewhere to perch and roost. But when these signs are streaked with bird mess they become very unsightly and the surfaces underneath these perches can become dangerous to walk on.
Many locations have tried traditional anti-bird techniques such as the installation of bird repellent spikes. But as previously noted, these are often very ineffective. Unlike anti-bird spikes dishes of Bird Free Gel are very inconspicuous as they are only 8mm high and often can’t be seen from ground level. These dishes are also far easier to deploy than anti-bird spikes that generally require screw fixing. Many shop signs now use discretely installed dishes of Bird Free Gel, reliably keeping unwanted birds away and ensuring both the signage and the street below remains free of bird mess. Some signage has even been specifically designed with recesses in the top to accommodate Bird Free Gel dishes.
Bird Free Gel - Ideal for Historic Buildings and Homes
Heritage sites and historic buildings appreciate how Bird Free Gel installation doesn’t require any mechanical fixings, unlike anti-bird spikes. Dishes of Bird Free Gel are easily distributed in areas where birds like to congregate and roost without the need for drilling or screw fixing. Our pipe and railing fixing option, for example, simply uses cable ties, enabling dishes to be securely attached to the pipes and railings where pest birds would previously have perched.
And many UK homes have successfully deployed dishes of Bird Free Gel along ledges, rooftops and other areas where birds had previously caused problems. These installations are continuing to keep pest birds away many years after initial installation. Our Balcony Protector Pack is particularly useful for home with balconies and patios plagued by pest birds.
No More Bird Mess on Parked Cars
Car park structures offer many sheltered areas, favoured by feral pigeons for roosting and nesting. Its not unusual for motorists to return to their vehicles, parked in municipal multi-story car parks, to find their cars covered in bird mess. Many car parks have now discovered the efficacy of Bird Free Gel which has been widely deployed ot keep unwanted birds away.
Bridge Walkways Polluted with Bird Mess
Bridge structures are another favoured location for roosting feral pigeons. The new Huntingdon Bypass, opened in December 2019, included four new bridges. But much like the shopping centre in Italy, even before these bridges were open the pest birds had moved in and established their nests. Their poop presented a health and safety risk for those responsible for routine bridge maintenance. The nests were cleared away and replaced with dishes of Bird Free Gel which was also deployed to other areas that might have attracted unwanted birds. The installation was immediately effective and continues to be effective today.
Another Bridge installation, the Craigavon Bridge, carried out by the Northern Ireland Department for Infrastructure, dealt with accumulating bird poop on the walkways which was causing a health and safety hazard to pedestrians and cyclists. This bridge is a listed structure which meant any anti-bird deterrent needed to be unobtrusive. In 2022 all areas of the bridge affected by pigeons was thoroughly cleaned and disinfected. Deployment of unobtrusive Bird Free Gel dishes was immediately effective in keeping pest birds away and the walkways free from bird mess. The engineer in charge of the installation even witnessed the site being revisited by feral pigeons that immediately flew away when they encountered the Bird Free Gel.
Kings Cross Station Offices - Bird Free Since 2015
Way back in 2015 the droppings from pigeons roosting above Network Rail’s offices at Kings Cross station were causing unsightly and unpleasant fouling of the office entrance below. Dishes of Bird Free Gel were deployed and the site has been closely monitored ever since.
After 8 years, since the initial installation, these dishes of gel are still keeping the unwanted pigeons away. Its notable that some of the exposed dishes have become significantly blackened by airborne pollution but they remain effective as the particulate pollution doesn’t inhibit or block the emission of UV light that repels the birds.
Frequently Asked Questions about Bird Free Gel
The most commonly asked questions about Bird Free Gel are these:
How long does it last?
As these ongoing installations and field trials have demonstrated, Bird Free Gel remains effective for more than 8 years. As noted, the UK Health and Safety Executive has acknowledged that “Bird Free will remain effective for a minimum period of 4 years”. Real-world installations have demonstrated how this this anti-bird solution continues to keep pest birds away for over 8 years.
Is it affected by rain?
Bird Free Gel is completely unaffected by rainwater. The substance isn’t water soluble and is therefore not washed away by falling rain. And it continues to emit UV radiation when wet, keeping pest birds at bay, even when covered in rainwater.
Does it work when discoloured by pollution?
UV radiation can only be blocked by solid objects and isn’t inhibited by particulates such as dust or airborne pollutants. This is why the dishes of Bird Free Gel at Kings Cross station have remained effective for over 8 years even though exposed dishes are now blackened with accumulated dirt.
Talk to Us About Bird Free Gel
We offer Bird Free Gel in a variety of practical formats for a wide range of applications. Our Bird Free Gel Balcony Protector pack is specifically designed for convenient deployment to balconies and patios that can attract unwanted, messy birds. Mats with attached Bird Free Gel dishes are quickly and easily placed exactly where they are needed, immediately prompting any visiting birds to stay away.
Pre-loaded magnetic dishes of Bird Free Gel are easily attached to any ferrous metal surface and our pipe and railing fixing pack simply uses cable ties to securely attach the dishes to any pipes, railings or poles that would otherwise be attractive to unwanted feathered visitors.
Regardless of the scale of the bird problem Bird Free Gel is a highly effective solution that remains effective for a very long time.
Learn More about Bird Free Gel
If you have any questions about effective bird repellents, or if you have any special requirements, remember we are here to help. Give us a call on 01273 475500 and we’ll provide you with free, expert advice.
This message was added on Thursday 4th April 2024