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When dealing with invading birds, some businesses try to save money by deploying bird deterrents and exclusions. You’ve probably seen or even used some of these devices:

• Bird spikes
• Exclusion netting
• Fake owls
• “Scary eyes” (eyes painted on a suspended ball)
• Lasers
• Recorded raptor noises

These tactics have their uses when implemented as part of a wider comprehensive plan. When used alone, their effectiveness can be limited or actually make your bird problems worse. Nature can find a way to adapt. That is why Meridian’s philosophy is to physically remove the bird; a bird that’s not present doesn’t need to be deterred or excluded.

Bird spikes: unsightly and only good for large birds

Bird spikes are those metal needles you see installed on horizontal surfaces, typically on signage, to discourage birds from roosting or nesting. As is clear from these pictures, they are primarily effective on larger birds. Smaller birds find the space between spikes comforting, as they keep bigger predatory birds away.

Bird spikes are also ugly. They add an ominous touch to your exterior and advertise to the world you have bird problems. And what happens when you combine bird spikes with bird droppings? You can see the result is not pretty.

Exclusion netting: it’s a trap!

In many cases, exclusion netting makes sense. As with other nets and fences, they can be very effective at keeping birds out of a specific area. But what keeps birds out can also keep birds in.

Meridian has visited many buildings where birds have become trapped inside or behind exclusion netting. The netting must be installed technically correct or one small mistake can cause the entire system to fail. It also must be continually maintained and routinely inspected. One small hole or an anchor that doesn’t hold will allow birds to get inside the mesh. When birds become trapped, they can become distressed and eventually die, leaving decaying bodies suspended above people’s heads.

Fake owls and scary eyes: just say no

Decoys don’t work because they don’t move! Birds may stay away from them at first, but the lure of shelter, warmth, and food drives these creatures to keep coming back. When they see the plastic owl or scary eyes are not a threat, they treat them as just another perch.

Electronic deterrents: what’s bad for the goose is bad for the customer

Some stores play recorded raptor sounds to drive nuisance birds away. As with decoys, birds eventually figure out the danger is non-existent when no hawk appears. At that point, they will simply tune out the screeches. The same cannot be said of customers pulling into your parking lot. An audio loop of recorded hawk calls is a turn-off the same way bird spikes can be.

Lasers can be even worse. Some businesses use them to disorient the birds. As with most other devices, the birds adjust, potentially creating issues or complaints from customers.

The real danger: complacency

Every business tries to save money, and it’s human nature to look for the magic bullet that fixes bird problems permanently. However, we have yet to see a deterrent device that achieves this. Worse, installing deterrents can lull businesses into false security. The truth is no deterrent device keeps all birds out. Even the better ones, such as exclusion netting, need regular inspection and maintenance.

Once birds get inside your facility, all bets are off. The deterrent has failed—it’s time for removal. The birds need to be captured, removed, and the avenue of ingress closed off, if possible.

Meridian’s patented process: fast, cost-effective, and guaranteed

Meridian Bird Removal understands the pain of keeping birds out of your store. We have developed a process so proven and effective, we’ve patented it. Rather than using “set it and forget it” devices, we swoop in and remove birds once they get in. You don’t have to close your business, and we guarantee success or you don’t pay.

And best of all, we don’t leave behind unsightly spikes or decoys. Just a bird-free interior!

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