Pest Control Ipswich – Putting the Spotlight on Bird Proofing in Suffolk and Essex

Seagulls and feral pigeons are a major nuisance and also create a health hazard. So, if you have a colony of birds nesting on your property it’s time to call on the pest control experts in Ipswich, Manningtree and the surrounding area who can offer professional bird proofing to put a stop to the problem.

Essex and Suffolk Pest Solutions are experienced in dealing with all types of pests including cockroaches, bed bugs, wasps, rodents, and birds. We offer a variety of bird proofing solutions for a range of domestic and commercial properties in the Suffolk and Essex area including warehouses, educational premises, town centre buildings, country homes and high rise buildings.

Pest Control Ipswich – get in touch now for professional bird proofing solutions.

Seagulls and Pigeons – Do they Create Different Problems?

Yes. Seagulls, also known as gulls, avoid steep pitches and instead are more likely to nest on flat surfaces that are high up, such as warehouse roofs, ledges and air conditioning units. They live between 20 – 30 years, and return to the same place to nest, so their colonies keep on growing. Gulls are increasingly moving into urban areas, which is why pest control, especially in towns such as Ipswich and Manningtree is so essential.

The months of May and June are when the gulls pose the biggest threat as this is the time of year that they nest and raise their chicks. When their eggs hatch, the gulls become more aggressive and start swooping down on people to protect their young. They foul cars, which can damage the paintwork, and scavenge through bins and waste tips to hunt for food, creating a litter problem which can attract rodents.

The life expectancy of pigeons will vary greatly from 3 – 15 years and this depends on many factors including natural predation and human interference. It is normally 3-5 years. However, unlike seagulls they breed all year round and pose a major health risk as their droppings are not only unpleasant to see, but also carry germs. Another problem is that when their youngsters fledge, which is when their wing muscles are developed enough so they can leave their nest, they can infest premises with biting insects such as poultry mites and bird fleas.

Pigeons prefer to be sheltered from the wind and nest on the face of buildings in nooks, crevices and roof voids, particularly in the backs of shops. Pest control is also required in residential areas in Ipswich and Colchester, particularly in apartment blocks where pigeons can be found resting on balconies and in roof voids. And, in the lighter, summer months, they can wake residents by cooing in the early hours of the morning, which is extremely annoying.

Tackling Bird Proofing Work on High Rise Buildings

Tackling bird proofing on high rise buildings in Ipswich and its surrounding areas is a risky business, so we carry out a full assessment in advance of every job we do.

Bird proofing work on high rise buildings can be done in several ways, depending on accessibility. In most cases staff wearing safety harnessing stand on cherry pickers to apply netting and spikes.

Another alternative is to construct scaffolding to provide a safe platform to stand on, or we can use safety abseilers. Abseilers are generally used when the access to the exterior of the building is limited and lorries are restricted from parking outside, leaving insufficient room for cherry pickers or scaffolding.

Is There an Alternative to Netting and Spikes?

Yes, if our customers feel spikes or netting are too unsightly we can offer another option: the use of Fire Gel, otherwise known as Optical Bird Gel. This is extremely effective as it creates the illusion of flames which stops birds landing on your building. As the gel can’t be seen from the ground, it is much more aesthetically pleasing than other methods. However, the main drawback is that it is not as long lasting: the gel may need to be replaced every two years or so.

Addressing the Problems of Gulls and Pigeons – A Recent Case Study

The only way to tackle the population of gulls and pigeons, which are protected by law, is to bring in Ipswich based pest control experts such as Essex and Suffolk Pest Solutions. We offer a variety of bird control measures and here is just one example of a recent study in Ipswich at premises above a shop on Buttermarket Street, Ipswich.

Work such as this can take between one and two days to complete, depending on the size of the area to address, and the location. In this particular case, bird proofing was used to prevent pigeons roosting on the premises at the back of a shop.

The first step was to install spikes on the guttering and to thoroughly clean the area, ridding it of droppings which were not only hazardous but also affected the look of the building (see picture 1).

The next step, illustrated by picture 2 shows the wiring that we strung up to surround the site to create a readymade frame.

In the final stage, picture 3, pigeon netting was attached to the wire frame to prevent the pigeons nesting.

Our client was delighted with the results, and said: I am landlord of a commercial property in Ipswich town centre which was suffering with a pigeon problem.  I called Essex and Suffolk Pest Solutions, who provided a fast, efficient and professional service at a good price.  They thoroughly cleaned and disinfected the whole area, including the gutters and floor area below, and removed all the waste from site.  Netting and spikes were then installed to prevent future problems. 

I was delighted with the results and would definitely use Essex and Suffolk Pest Solutions again and would also recommend their services to anybody else requiring bird-proofing work or help with bird control.  A first class and friendly service.

Bird Proofing Ipswich  – get in touch now for professional pest control solutions