Pigeon Spikes for AC: Urban Bird Control: A Concept Paper

Dove birds especially pigeons find comfort in urban settings and are therefore quite a number in such places. Nonetheless, they are practically present everywhere, especially in hard and soft infrastructures such as residential and commercial properties whereby the following problems are realized. The pigeon tends to select ledges or walls where they install Air conditioning (AC) units to perch or nest. That is why pigeon spikes for AC units are so useful – as a practical and non-violent way that prevent these birds from choosing your cooling equipment as their nest.

Understanding the Problem

These birds are always found alongside human dwellings since they are natural dwellers in such environments. Their tendency to roost or nest on air conditioning units can cause numerous problems, including:

Damage to AC Units:

Apart from the fact that pigeon droppings are quite unsightly, they are also known to be corrosive. The fact is that droppings are acidic and in case you do not clean your AC unit regularly, they can corrode the metal parts and lead to a rusting of your AC unit, and hence render it non-functional. Further, nests and feathers may block air vents and thus can contribute to the overheating of your AC as well as a decrease in its efficiency.

Health Risks: 

Pigeon excreta contains various bacteria, viruses and fungi that are likely to cause serious diseases in humans. Other diseases include histoplasmosis, cryptococcosis as well as psittacosis, all of which are related to pigeon dropping. These droppings become very light when they dry up, and when inhaled, they cause very severe respiratory diseases.

Noise and Disturbance: 

Pigeons are known for being noisy to the extent of being considered noisy neighbours. Their cooing sounds could be especially irritating, at dawn or night. Even the wing flapping and scratching sounds can be disturbing when you are trying to sleep if the air conditioner is right beside the bedroom window.

What Are Pigeon Spikes?

Pigeon spikes are a range of sharp metal or plastic spikes that are meant to discourage pigeons and other large terrestrial birds from perching. The above spikes just physically discourage the birds from perching or laying eggs on a certain point without inflicting any harm on them, by just making it uncomfortable for the birds to land there.

Regarding the air conditioning units, pigeon spikes are normally fitted around the perimeter of the unit or on any access plane where pigeons might perch. They come in a variety of spikes with types made from stainless steel, plastic to polycarbonate to mention but a few to suit weather conditions such as rain, wind and storms.

Payoffs of Fixing of Pigeon Spikes on AC Units

Humane Bird Control:

Another benefit of pigeon spikes is that they are one of the best types of bird control that do not involve eliminating the birds. They are not meant to kill the birds but make it almost impossible for the birds to perch or lay eggs.

Protection of AC Unit:

Exclusion of pigeons from an AC unit minimizes fouling of the machine with bird faeces, nests, feathers and debris that may cause damage to the equipment. It may help in increasing the lifespan of your AC unit, and decrease the amount of money spent on maintenance.

Aesthetic Appeal:

New age pigeon spikes are sleek so they can be easily placed and are not easily spotted by the eye. They are available in different colours, and materials to make the roof suit the exterior of the building or the air conditioning unit.

Easy Installation:

Pigeon spikes are easy to fix and do not need much attention to be paid to them frequently. These can be fixed with a type of glue, screws or cable ties depending on the surface and type of spike.

Cost-Effective:

When evaluating the too and potential of pigeon damage, spikes provide a cheaper courtesy than potential repair costs. Further, the long-term advantages, which include the lower cleaning and maintenance costs are beneficial, hence considering the long run, they are more economical.

Installation Considerations

Pigeon spikes are promising but, at the same time, it is critical to emphasize that the efficiency of these assets stands roused by a correct installation. Here are a few tips:

Surface Preparation:

To install the spikes, the surface on which they will be fixed should be clean from any chocks. This assists the adhesive or screws to have a good grip or be well fixed.

Positioning:

Install the spikes around all the possible perching or landing zones of the AC unit. Make sure that pigeons cannot perch anywhere, by filling all the gaps.

Maintenance:

Despite their feature of being relatively passive to maintain, pigeon spikes should be checked frequently to confirm that they are still in the right place and not accumulated with debris.

A pigeon net for balcony is one of the suitable and effective ways of preventing birds, including pigeons, from accessing your balcony. These nets are made from weather-resistant material and are virtually transparent to birds stopping them from becoming a pest on balconies by roosting or building nests. Sustainable and highly efficient pigeon nets come with minimal shifting that requires minimal installation, and cleaning keeping the environment free from birds while at the same time not harming the animals. Appropriate for city dwellings they: shield your balcony from droppings; noise and possible damage.