Frequently Asked Questions About BIRD SPIKES

  1. Determine which bird is causing you problems
  2. Establish if the nest is ‘live’ – if it is you MUST NOT disturb it by law
  3. Assess the area to be protected
  4. Install a humane deterrent such as bird spikes or bird netting
  5. If these methods don’t work, call in a pest control expert
  1. Seagulls (or any other type of gull) have longer legs than other birds and therefore need specialised prevention methods
  2. You can buy seagull spikes specially designed with extend length spikes to deal with this nuisance
  3. Alternatively a suitable mesh bird netting can be fitted to the area concerned

All of the Defender® Bird Spike range is humane. Bird spikes are recommended by the RSPB as one of the best long-term methods of bird proofing buildings. The pins of the spikes act as a visual and physical barrier so the birds can no longer gain access to the ledge to perch on it, moving them on to other more accessible areas.

They are designed for pigeons and other like-size birds. The length of the pins is the optimum height and angle for deterring pigeons. For larger birds such as seagulls, a specialist seagull spike should be installed as this has longer length pins which are in proportion to the longer legs of the gull. Smaller birds such as sparrows and starlings may overcome both these types of spikes. There is a sparrow and starling spike available which has a much denser pattern of pins that doesn’t allow the small birds access.

Both types of spike protect ledges equally; the only differences are aesthetics and cost. The plastic spike is slightly cheaper and reflects the background colour of where it is installed. The stainless steel version is considered slightly less visible against buildings due to its thinner, matt pins, and is usually the choice of pest control professionals.

Defender® Stainless Steel Bird Spikes are made from 304 grade stainless steel and come with a 25 Year “No-Rust” Warranty. The plastic spike is made from UV Durolon polycarbonate which doesn’t become brittle or yellow in the elements. This spike comes with a 15 Year Warranty.

Defender® Spikes can be fitted to any surface whether it’s uneven or curved. The bases have snappable sections that can be broken with just your fingers. Installing these smaller pieces means any shaped surface can be protected from birds.

The varying widths that spikes come in enable the installer to choose the most appropriate size when fitting spikes either to a narrow pipe or to a large window ledge. The different heights account for the different size birds. A large seagull can overcome the smaller height pigeon spike due to its longer legs. Therefore a specialist seagull spike has been developed.

There are many kinds of silicone on the market. Some are suitable for attaching pigeon spike bases to a surface. However, some are not and may stick to the ledge surface but not to the base of the spike. Defender® has developed a silicone that works in conjunction with the Defender® spike bases, creating an immediate bond, which means the spikes get to work straightaway at proofing your property.

Defender® Spikes come with specialist silicone fixing holes in the base. Using silicone is our recommended system as the glue will ooze through the holes creating a lock and holding the spikes in place. However, these holes can also be used to screw or nail the bases down. For a less permanent fix, cable ties can be used to attach pigeon spike bases.