by Pigeon Patrol | Jan 4, 2016 | Animal Deterrent Products, Bird Netting, UltraSonic Bird Control
Helikite Vigilante
OVERVIEW
The ‘Helikite’ is a combination of a helium balloon and a kite with two models recommended for the purpose of bird control. The two versions of the Helikite offered for bird control are the ‘Vigilante’ Helikite and the ‘Lightweight’ Helikite. The essential difference between the two products is that the ‘Vigilante’ Helikite has a tough mylar protective cover that will prevent the balloon from becoming damaged if it falls to the ground in strong winds or in rain. The Lightweight Helikite is designed to be used in conjunction with lightweight collapsible aluminium Helikite Poles for use on buildings, landfill sites and for the protection of high-value crops that have good crop cover. The Lightweight Helikite cannot be used on winter crops, overnight or anywhere where the balloon may come down on bare ground when wet. The Lightweight Helikite is ideal for use in hot climates due to the lighter construction. The Vigilante Helikite is a more versatile balloon due to its protective heavy-duty mylar cover and therefore can be used for all agricultural applications irrespective of crop-type and for most other bird-scaring applications.
Lightweight Helikite
The Helikite, unlike conventional kites, will fly when there is no wind at all due to the helium gas used to inflate the balloon. Unlike most balloons that are shaped like kites, the Helikite is fat and rounded which is essential to provide good helium lift. A conventional kite-shaped balloon will collapse when it hits cold air due to shrinkage of the gas inside the balloon and subsequent loss of pressure required to retain shape. This is not a problem for the Helikite due to its unique shape. The Helikite will also fly in winds of up to 25 mph unlike a conventional balloon, with the wind actually generating uplift rather than bringing the kite down. In winds of above 25 mph the drag caused by the Helikite will bring the balloon down. Although the Vigilante Helikite will come down in rain, the protective mylar cover supplied with the product will ensure that the balloon is not damaged. Once the rain abates and the Vigilante Helikite dries out the balloon will re-launch itself. The Lightweight Helikite is more vulnerable and may become damaged when falling to the ground.
Lightweight Helikite
As previously mentioned, the Lightweight Helikite is designed for use with the Kite Pole, a 13 metre, lightweight collapsible aluminium pole with just over 12 metres of line extending from the top of the pole to which the Helikite is attached. Each section of the Kite Pole has a ring attached to the side of it through which the Helikite flying line runs. The benefit of the Kite Pole is that in the event of strong wind or rain, the Lightweight Helikite will remain tethered to it rather than plunging to the ground and becoming damaged. The Kite Pole will collapse down to 130cm x 4cm x 8cm allowing it to be transported easily. The pole can be tethered to a fence post or a similar vertical object or it can be held in place with guy ropes.
The Helikite is really just a variation on the predator balloon theme with the product being marketed as a device that mimics the flight of a bird of prey as it hunts. The Helikite would normally be used for agricultural applications with one of the main benefits of the product being that it will climb to a very considerable height and, as a result, is visible over a large area. The Vigilante Helikite will cover and protect an area of up to 8 hectares (20 acres) and will ascend to 60 metres (200 feet) in ideal conditions. The Lightweight Helikite will achieve a height of up to 300 metres (1000 feet) in ideal conditions. Although the Helikite is not shaped or coloured to resemble a bird of prey, the manufacturer suggests that due to the erratic flight pattern of the balloon it will be perceived as a danger by most species of birds. Although most birds rapidly habituate to conventional predator balloons, the manufacturer of the Helikite suggests that there is considerably less chance of habituation with this product.
Helikite Kite Pole
According to the manufacturer the Helikite has many applications for use as a bird scarer including agricultural sites such as arable farms, livestock farms, fish farms and fruit farms as well as numerous urban applications including sports centres, office blocks and hotels. Broadly speaking the manufacturer recommends Helikite for virtually every bird control application, rural or urban. The manufacturer also suggests that the product can be used for the control of a wide variety of bird species including widely controlled urban/rural species such as the pigeon and the gull.
The main advantages of the Helikite is that it is silent, unlike many conventional scarers, requires little or no maintenance other than topping up helium gas and it is easy to move, a strong requirement for bird scarers. Although the Helikite looks quite fragile it is in fact quite rugged with the mylar cover on the Vigilante model protecting the balloon when it falls to the ground. The Helikite balloons are also easy to transport with the Vigilante fitting into the boot of a standard saloon car with ease. Running costs for the Helikite are relatively low with the manufacturer suggesting that the Vigilante will only use “…a few pence worth of gas a day.” This combined with the relatively low purchase price of both the Lightweight and Vigilante Helikites make the product a cost-effective option when considering bird scaring products. The disadvantages of the Helikite is that it cannot be flown in the rain and the device will require human interaction if it is to be moved regularly to reduce habituation. The Helikite cannot be flown in strong winds either and therefore, if sited in a rural location and some distance away from human habitation, the user will need to be in the position to be instantly responsive in the event of gales or high winds to prevent potential damage to the balloon.
DEFRA’s view:
Helikite Vigilante
The Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) is the UK’s Government body that oversees the Wildlife and Countryside Act and produces legislation to which the pest control industry must adhere. The following information is taken from a document provided on DEFRA website entitled: ‘Review of international research regarding the effectiveness of auditory bird scaring techniques and potential alternatives’. By J Bishop, H McKay, D Parrott and J Allan. We have included the relevant sections on both balloons and kites as the Helikite range is part kite, part balloon.
Balloons
“Balloons tethered in a crop are an inexpensive method of bird deterrence, but studies show that they are not very effective and birds quickly habituate to them. Blue balloons were used in an attempt to deter oystercatchers from a Naval airfield. The birds attacked the balloons and burst them (Wright 1969).”
“Toy balloons were also used to reduce damage to cherries and blueberries (Pearson 1958). Tied to branches of the trees, the balloons deterred starlings, but robins and Baltimore orioles were seen to continue feeding only a few feet away. Balloons were also found to be ineffective in deterring waterfowl from the sites of oil spills (Greer and O’Connor 1994, cited in Reilly 1995).”
“To increase the effectiveness of balloons, eyespots, consisting of a circular pattern that resembles the general appearance of vertebrate eyes, can be printed on the side. These eyes mimic the eyes of large raptors, but may also mimic the eyes of conspecifics, which is alarming as many avian species have frontal threat displays in which the eyes are prominent (Inglis 1980). Two circular eyespots arranged horizontally, each containing concentric rings of bright colour appear to be the most alarming. Those that have a three-dimensional appearance may enhance the effect, and large eyespots are better than small ones (Inglis 1980).”
“At present there are a number of different designs commercially available and may either bear a single pair of eyes on one side or multiple eyespots encircling the entire balloon. Studies indicate that the deterrent effect of eyespot balloons varies between bird species, the eyespot design and with the mode of presentation. In New Zealand, numbers of house sparrows Passer domesticus visiting a bird-feeding table were significantly reduced by deployment of both a commercially available balloon and a homemade device (eyes painted on a beach ball) (McLennan et al. 1995). The commercial device had a greater deterrent effect than the beach ball. The effect of both devices decreased with distance and was negligible at 40m. The deterrent effect increased when reinforced with a rotating light and playback of alarm calls. With continuous use, however, the deterrent effect declined and ceased after nine days.”
“McLennan et al. (1995) also evaluated eyespot balls as a bird deterrent in vineyards. In the first three weeks the balls repelled 90% of all birds except song thrushes, which had started to ignore them in the second week. Their deterrent effect had almost ceased after four weeks, but by this stage the grapes had ripened and become increasingly attractive to the birds. It could not be determined whether the balls failed because the birds had habituated to them or because the lure of food overcame the deterrent effect.”
“McNamara et al. (2002) found that scare-eye balloons failed to protect the plastic film surrounding bales of silage from bird damage, though ‘eyes’ painted onto the black plastic reduced damage by 65% compared to control bales.”
“Although easy to set up and move around, balloons can be easily damaged in high winds and can deteriorate in sunlight leading to a loss of helium and thus height. They also need to be regularly checked to ensure they cannot break free from their moorings and present a hazard to aircraft. In the UK, the flying of balloons is governed by the Air Navigation Order, which states that without the written permission of the Civil Aviation Authority, a tethered balloon can not be flown at a height of more than 60 m or within 5 km of any aerodrome (CAA 2002). Their effectiveness at scaring birds appears to be dependent on the species concerned and effects are only short-term.”
Kites
“Kites and kite-hawks work as mobile predator models, which birds perceive as a threat. The kites bear an image of a soaring raptor and are tethered to the ground. Conover (1983, cited in Harris and Davis 1998) tested four designs of hawk-kites, but none effectively deterred birds from feeding on corn. To be effective, kite-hawks need to be ‘flown’ beneath helium balloons in order to possess sufficient ‘threatening’ movement (Conover 1984). When this was done, the kites became more effective at scaring birds from the cornfields.”
“Other studies have found kite-hawks to be ineffective or are quickly habituated to (Inglis 1980). Hothem and Dehaven (1982) tested a hawk-kite resembling an immature golden eagle, suspended from a helium balloon. Although there was a slight decrease in percent of grapes damaged, it was effective only over a very small area, and damage increased elsewhere in the vineyard.”
“Helium-filled bird scaring kites have been deployed between dawn and dusk at landfill sites. Numbers of gulls, corvids and starlings on sites remained relatively unchanged and there was little evidence that birds were deterred from the sites (Baxter 2002c; undated).”
“Like balloons, kites and hawk-kites can be damaged by strong winds and may be difficult to keep up in the air when wind speeds exceed 8 km/hr (Hotherm and Dehaven 1982). As they pose no real threat to birds, do not behave like raptors and remain visible for long periods of time, birds quickly habituate to them. They are effective only over a small area and for a short period of time. As with balloons, their use in the UK is governed by the Air Navigation Order, requiring the written permission of the CAA for kites within 5 km of an aerodrome or at a height of more than 60 m.”
Price range:
The ‘Vigilante’ Helikite is available in the UK at a cost of: £113.00 + VAT
The ‘Lightweight’ Helikite is available in the UK at a cost of: £98.00 + VAT
The ‘Kite Pole’ is available in the UK at a cost of: £150.00 + VAT
User reviews:
To date we have been unable to find any user reviews for The Helikite but we will update this section as and when user reviews are made available to us. If you are able to provide a user review for The Helikite please contact the Pigeon Control Resource Centre.
Comments from the Manufacturer/Distributor:
The manufacturer says the following of the ‘Vigilante’ Helikite:
“A unique combination of kite, helium balloon and protective balloon cover, the Vigilante Helikite flies up to 200 feet with up to 20 mph or without any wind to scare birds over areas as large as 25 acres.”
“The hovering Helikite mimics the action of birds of prey as it moves around the sky. Helikites have been shown to be the most powerful bird-scarer available in all the comparative bird-scaring trials they have participated in. The instinctive fear created within bird pests is very hard for them to overcome and so the bird control effect is extremely long lasting and over far larger areas than normal startle reaction bird-scarers.”
“The Vigilante Helikite will come down in the rain but the protective cover protects the balloon from punctures until it dries out and automatically re-launches itself again. They are very frugal with helium – only using a few pence worth of the gas per day. We consider Helikites to be the best bird-scarers in the world and we offer a money back birdscaring guarantee if birds get used to them within two months. As far as we know, no other birdscarer manufacturer in the world offers such a guarantee. If you have critical bird problems or large areas to control the Vigilante Helikite is the answer.”
The manufacturer says the following of the ‘Lightweight’ Helikite:
“Unlike a simple balloon, the Lightweight Helikite is a true aerostat, capable of keeping station steadily in winds up to 25 mph. It has 30 grams of pure helium lift and far more in a breeze. The Lightweight Helikite flies reliably near buildings, trees, etc. The Lightweight Helikite is formed by combining an extra large Mylar balloon with a specially made kite to form a Helikite which is aerodynamically sound and pushed up by the wind rather than pushed down. These Helikites have excellent helium holding properties so that topping up is only necessary once a week. Lightweight Helikites are very portable. When uninflated they can be folded up to fit in a coat pocket and yet will fly to over 1000ft once inflated.”
A US-based distributor of the Helikite range says the following of the Helikite range:
“Until now, bird control has always been a hit or miss affair, with old fashioned scarecrows or even the more modern noise makers and flashing scarers giving variable protection, making it impossible for property managers to rely on them for long to prevent expensive damage and often crippling losses. Birds are unpredictable and planning for them is difficult. However, unlike other scarers, the Vigilante Helikite will control birds even after they have acclimated to an area and started to eat a crop.”
“The scientifically designed, patented Vigilante Helikite is the first and only bird control system that really works well over a long period of time because birds find it extremely difficult to overcome the innate terror of predatory hawks that Helikites create. Wild hawks reinforce, so habituation is very unlikely – even after months without shooting. If you have a difficult bird problem, the powerful Vigilante Helikite is probably the only scarer really capable of protecting your livelihood.”
“With the Vigilante Helikite, angry neighbors, frightened livestock, and visits from the noise complaints authorities are a thing of the past. Noise is not required for effective bird control. Sight is the major sense in birds and so they are affected far more by an instinctive visual stimulus than by anything they hear – just like the human fear of snakes and spiders. Silent control makes Bird Scaring feasible in many previously impossible situations – like pig and cattle facilities, grain storage, land fill sites, or near built-up areas. Humane to all, and safe no explosive gas.”
“You can launch a Vigilante Helikite next to populated areas where noisy bangers or wailers would cause objections. Local people will appreciate your concern for them and the environment. You will get a better night’s sleep as well!”
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Editorial comments:
Helikite Vigilante
The Helikite is an interesting variation on the predator balloon and offers the user a relatively inexpensive and maintenance-free bird scaring option for more entrenched bird-related problems. The device provides a good bird-scaring option for applications where noiseor other visual media has the potential to cause disturbance to humans or farm animals. The Helikite can be used for urban bird control applications as a complementary control but there will be numerous logistical problems inherent with this usage. The ‘Lightweight’ Helikite is recommended for urban applications and it is likely that in most cases the product would be tethered to a ‘Kite Pole’ where it is less likely to cause problems when the balloon is brought down in strong winds or rain.
Helikite in Car Boot
The Helikite is extremely easy to transport with the ‘Lightweight’ Helikite fitting into a coat pocket when uninflated. The ‘Kite Pole’ is also relatively easy to transport reducing down to just 1.3 metres by 8cm when collapsed. Most bird scarers will need to be moved regularly in order to be effective and to keep habituation down to a minimum, so the ease with which this product can be transported is a major plus point. The range of birds that will be deterred by the Helikite is also impressive making the product ideal for use in areas such as landfill sites.
Helikite Deployed
Over Landfill
The Helikite is praised for its effectiveness as a bird scarer on both manufacturer and distributor websites but these views are not shared by DEFRA where the use of balloons and kites are concerned. DEFRAsuggests that habituation to these products is normal, in some cases within a matter of days, and that both kites and balloons pose no real threat to pest species of birds. DEFRA also suggests that kites and balloons are only effective for a short period in small areas. As with all bird-scaring products, it seems likely that the Helikite will only be effective if provided as part of an overall control system involving other scaring products with, where appropriate, anti-perching products.
Helikite Vigilante
Operational problems include the requirement for the user to apply for a written licence from the CAA if flying the Helikite within 5 kilometres of an aerodrome or airport and the obvious problems inherent with the Helikite coming down in strong winds or rain. The Helikite will also need to be moved regularly, again in an effort to reduce habituation, and this will require human interaction. The helium gas will also need to be topped up from time to time but we have no information on how easy or difficult this process will be and how often it will need to be carried out. We have contacted the manufacturer with several questions about The Helikite but they have failed to provide the information and therefore this review is less than comprehensive as a result.
Sources:
DEFRA quotes:
PDF on DEFRA website entitled: ‘Review of international research regarding the effectiveness of auditory bird scaring techniques and potential alternatives’. By J Bishop, H McKay, D Parrott and J Allan.
Also commonly known as:
Bird kite, kite, helium balloon, bird blimps, aerostat, deterrent balloon, helikite scarer, bird balloon, vigilante helikite, lightweight helikite, pigeon kite, heli kite
Relevance to pigeon control:
The ‘Helikite’ is not commonly associated with pigeon control but the product is marketed for the control of feral pigeons. The ‘Helikite’ is more commonly used for agricultural applications but could be used to compliment an existing pigeon control system
About Pigeon Patrol:
Pigeon Patrol Products & Services is the leading manufacturer and distributor of bird deterrent (control) products in Canada. Pigeon Patrol products have solved pest bird problems in industrial, commercial, and residential settings since 2000, by using safe and humane bird deterrents with only bird and animal friendly solutions. At Pigeon Patrol, we manufacture and offer a variety of bird deterrents, ranging from Ultra-flex Bird Spikes with UV protection, Bird Netting, 4-S Gel and the best Ultrasonic and audible sound devices on the market today.
Voted Best Canadian wholesaler for Bird Deterrent products four years in a row.
Contact Info: 1- 877– 4– NO-BIRD (www.pigeonpatrol.ca)
by Pigeon Patrol | Jan 3, 2016 | Bird Netting, Pigeon Patrol's Services, Pigeon Spikes
Ajay Sood is one amongst many professional Kabootarbaaz, whose family has lived in the gullies of the Dhobi Bada, Kinari Bazar in Old Delhi. Everyday, he spends hours training his flock of pigeons in kabootarbaazi. Express Photo by Tashi Tobgyal New Delhi 291215
Scarecrow Bird Scarer
OVERVIEW
‘The Scarecrow’ bird scarer is a multi-purpose bird and animal deterrent that is designed to be used in a garden to deter larger species of birds and animals. The Scarecrow bird scarer is a water-based deterrent that operates on a 24/7 basis and uses a passive infra-red motion sensor to detect both heat and movement. The Scarecrow bird scarer is triggered when the infra-red sensor beam is broken and the unit will shoot a stream of water, at garden hose pressure, for 3 seconds. The Scarecrow bird scarer then re-sets itself after 7 seconds. The Scarecrow bird scarer is designed to be used in a garden but could, in certain circumstances, be installed on a building as a pigeon control device. The Scarecrow bird scarer is sold with several decals that mimic the eyes and beaks of predatory birds. These decals are designed to be applied to the ‘head’ of the unit as an additional scaring technique but one supplier warns that these decals could scare small garden birds. If small birds are fed in the garden the decals should not be applied.
Scarecrow Bird Scarer
Mounting Bracket
The Scarecrow is powered by a 9-volt battery within the unit which powers both the infra-red sensor and the ‘high flow’ valve. The Scarecrow bird scarer will operate under normal circumstances for up to 6-months (or 3000 + activations) on one 9-volt battery. The Scarecrow’s water source is provided by a garden hose which is attached to a valve on the base of the unit. For larger areas several Scarecrows can be ‘daisy-chained’ using a single hose as the water source courtesy of the ‘flow through’ valve. The Scarecrow bird scarer will protect an area of up to 10 metres (90 square metres in total) from the unit in an arc ranging from 0°-300°. The Scarecrow bird scarer will use the equivalent of 2 – 3 cups of water during each activation making the unit extremely economical. The Scarecrow’s heat and motion sensor allow the unit to operate at night as well as during the day with the main benefit being the deterrence of nocturnal birds and animals.
Scarecrow Bird Scarer
Deterring Cat
The Scarecrow bird scarer is intended to operate at water pressures of between 30 and 80 psi (2-5.5 Bar) but if water pressure exceeds 80 psi it will be necessary to fit a pressure-reducing valve to the tap. The Scarecrow bird scarer cannot be operated in sub-zero temperatures or heavy frosts due to the potential for water to freeze in both the hose and the Scarecrow bird scarer unit itself. The infra-red sensor window on the top of the unit must be kept clean and free of dust and dirt in order to maintain maximum sensitivity. If operating in an area of hard water the sensor window will need extra attention to ensure that calcium does not build up on the lens. The Scarecrow bird scarer should not be pointed at flowing water, in the direction of a road with moving traffic or, if in a particularly windy area, in the direction of the prevalent wind. The unit may be triggered by any of the above. As false triggering of the unit reduces battery life, the on-board optics automatically reduce sensitivity to reduce false triggering of the unit during daylight hours. When false triggering occurs the unit will re-set itself to a lower sensitivity setting within 5 minutes.
The Scarecrow bird scarer is designed to be installed in a garden and therefore the base of the unit reduces to a spike so that the unit can be pushed into a lawn or flower bed. A footrest is provided near the base of the spike for the purpose of pushing the spike into the ground. An optional mounting bracket is also available that will allow the unit to be installed onto a vertical surface such as the wall of a house if no appropriate soft ground or lawn is available. This optional bracket could be used to install the device on any area of a building to deter pigeons from perching.
Scarecrow Bird Scarer
Deterring Dog
The Scarecrow must be assembled prior to use and once assembled the unit must be set-up to enable the unit’s sensor to ‘see’ the target species within its 10-metre operating range. This operation is undertaken via the unit’s sensitivity knob. The sensitivity settings allow the unit to be calibrated to ensure that the unit will operate effectively once motion or heat is detected within the 10-metre range. Once The Scarecrow bird scarer has been positioned correctly and calibrated for sensitivity, the arc and distance of the water spray must then be adjusted. When operating correctly the sprinkler head will cycle back and forth from side to side effectively protecting the 10-metre area in front of the unit.
One supplier of The Scarecrow bird scarer recommends that in order to mitigate water damage risks to the property, the amount of water available to the unit should be limited. This can be achieved by opening the hose valve to a maximum of ¾ of one turn, using a good quality hose pipe (or ideally using hard-plumbed irrigation pipes) and ensuring that the water pressure is within the normal operating range.
The Scarecrow bird scarer has some disadvantages in respect of its ability to provide year-round protection, particularly when used in a climate with cold winters. In some areas the unit will be out of action for 4-6 months due to the potential for frost damage and yet it is in the winter when birds need to forage more widely for food and therefore may become a problem in the domestic garden. Another minor disadvantage of The Scarecrow bird scarer is that the unit cannot face in the direction of a road where there is constant motion as this may trigger the device. Neither can the unit be used close to running water. This may reduce the potential for the unit to be used to protect ponds from predation by herons and the like. The Scarecrow bird scarer may also be triggered by human motion or pet activity in an adjoining garden.
Scarecrow Bird Scarer
The Scarecrow bird scarer may have one application that is not discussed by the manufacturer or its suppliers and that is for use as a pigeon deterrent on buildings. Clearly the unit would have certain limitations in this respect, particularly in relation to use over the winter and in sub-zero temperatures, but The Scarecrow bird scarer is available with a mounting bracket and providing that a water supply was readily available the unit could potentially be used for deterring pigeons from the roof of a building. Protecting the roof of a building from pigeon occupancy is one of the most challenging problems facing any property owner and yet The Scarecrow bird scarer appears to offer an extremely low-cost option. The conventional method of protecting the roof of a building is to install nylon bird netting but this product is not only extremely expensive to install, in most cases costing several thousand pounds, but the system is prone to failure if not maintained. The Scarecrow bird scarer may offer property owners a method of protection that could be used alongside anti-perching products such as the anti-roosting spike to provide a greater level of protection at a much lower cost. The Scarecrow bird scarer could also potentially be used to protect flat roof areas as well as light-wells and inner-courtyards, all areas which suffer extensively from pigeon-related problems. A further application for The Scarecrow bird scarer might be large flat roofs that are used by gulls for the purpose of nesting. Gull-related problems of this type cause major problems for property owners. The Scarecrow bird scarer is unlikely to be effective as a stand-alone deterrent in this application but if combined with anti-perching products and/or other scaring products the unit may have some value.
DEFRA’s view:
Water-based deterrents are not discussed on the DEFRA website.
Price range:
The Scarecrow bird scarer is widely available in the UK with a recommended retail price of £69.95 but The Scarecrow bird scarer can be sourced for as little as £54.00 from a UK-based supplier called ‘Deteracat’.
User reviews:
To date we have been unable to find any user reviews for The Scarecrow bird scarer but we will update this section as and when user reviews are made available to us. If you are able to provide a user review for The Scarecrow bird scarer please contact the Pigeon Control Resource Centre.
Comments from the Manufacturer/Distributor:
One US supplier of The Scarecrow bird scarer said the following of the product:
“The Scarecrow bird scarer protects any open area of the garden or yard that receives the unwanted attention of animals. Its sprinkler directs water accurately up to 10 m (35 feet), protecting a 90 square meter (1000 square foot) area. The Scarecrow bird scarer can see large animals farther away than it can small animals.”
“The Scarecrow bird scarer uses a passive infrared sensor to ‘see’ the temperature difference between an animal and the background. However, if the animal and the background are similar temperatures the Scarecrow bird scarer will have difficulty detecting movement.”
“When an animal or person moves into the field of view, the Scarecrow bird scarer notices the change and opens an electronic valve to release a three second burst of water through the sprinkler. The Scarecrow bird scarer then pauses for 8 seconds before resuming sensing. This pause creates an element of randomness and unpredictability preventing animals from becoming used to the device.”
One UK supplier of The Scarecrow bird scarer said the following of the product:
“The Scarecrow bird scarer is the smartest scarecrow ever invented. When it sees an intruder, it instantly sprays the trespasser with water under full garden hose pressure. It is completely harmless but extremely effective. The effect is both startling and immediate! Animals quickly get out of the area and avoid it in the future. Scarecrow protects day and night for up to 6 months (or 3000+ activations) on one 9 volt battery.”
“Besides being one of the most effective deterrents available today, the Scarecrow bird scarer is an alternative to smelly, poisonous, or visually disruptive products available. It is widely endorsed and less expensive than physical barriers. If you’ve tried other solutions that failed, you’re ready for a Scarecrow. You will love how it works! Sprinkler deters: Cats, Dogs, Rodents, Squirrels, Garden Pests, Deer, Rats/ Mice, Moles, Geese, Heron, Cranes or just about any outdoor animals!”
“Specifications: sensitivity setting, fully adjustable water spray up/down and side to side, battery operated; water conserving design (only uses about 2 cups of water per activation); runs for months, fires 100’s of time on a single 9v battery; safe and environmentally friendly; up to 10.5m (35 ft) range ahead and an impressive 50° either side of centre; go to bed at night knowing nothing is going into your flower beds!”
“Other reasons why the Scarecrow works:
- Training/repelling is consistent at the location, 24 hours a day.
- It is the environment rather than a person or other animal doing the ‘conditioning’.
- The water spray is sufficiently surprising and unpleasant to communicate an immediate, ‘Leave now’ message. Sudden unexpected noise unexpected movement, and water spray.
- The animal immediately associates this unpleasant experience with the location. To avoid similar surprises, they begin to avoid the area. While humans flee several steps after activating a Scarecrow motion-activated sprinkler, animals are scared to a much greater degree, run much further and stay away longer. We attribute this difference in part to the inherent fight or flight survival response found in most animals and their lack of intelligence or ability to figure out what caused the annoying noise and motion.
- Fully Automated.
- Safely and effectively repels animals without chemicals, visually objectionable barriers or shock. Operates unattended and ‘sprays’ when movement is detected (Day and Night).
- Works when motion is detected.
- Scarecrow bird scarer protects day and night for up to 6 months (or 3000+ activations) on one 9 volt battery.
- 2 year warranty.”
Editorial comments:
Scarecrow Bird Scarer
Deterring Dog
The Scarecrow bird scarer is a unique and well designed deterrent that can be used for both the control of birds and animals in a variety of environments. The main application for The Scarecrow bird scarer is the domestic garden where scaring larger species of birds and cats is the main requirement but the unit also has the potential to be used as part of a conventional pigeon or gull control system. The Scarecrow bird scarer is inexpensive to purchase at just over £50.00 and as a result must be seen as worthy of a trial on the basis of cost alone.
The Scarecrow bird scarer is straightforward to use but setting up the unit may require some time and patience. Once The Scarecrow has been assembled and positioned correctly, the sensitivity must be set to ensure that the unit can ‘see’ the target species within its 10-metre operating range. Once the sensitivity has been set the arc and distance of the water spray must then be set. Once these parameters have been correctly set the unit is more or less maintenance-free. The unit can be switched off to allow the user to enter the area protected by The Scarecrow bird scarer without triggering the unit. The one main requirement for The Scarecrow is an outside tap as the unit needs the benefit of mains water pressure to operate. Due to the fact that The Scarecrow bird scarer is a water-based device and requires a hose to feed the unit one minor disadvantage of the product is that it cannot be used in frost or in sub-zero temperatures. This may or may not be a disadvantage based on the proposed usage. Another potential disadvantage of The Scarecrow bird scarer is the fact that the unit may be triggered by passing traffic on a road or by activity in a neighbouring garden. In most domestic applications, however, these issues should not be a problem.
If larger areas need to be protected, such as large gardens or possibly flat roof areas on a building, The Scarecrow bird scarer has the added advantage of being simple to ‘daisy-chain’ with additional units. Due to the fact that the device uses mains water pressure one hose will service countless units for more extensive applications. The Scarecrow bird scarer is extremely economical product where both power and water usage is concerned with the unit operating for up to 6-months on one 9-volt battery and only using 2-3 cups of water per spray.
The Scarecrow bird scarer is an extremely versatile device offering limitless applications for the domestic user as well as having the potential to be used commercially for the control of pigeons and gulls. Clearly the only limiting factor is the need to have a water supply close to hand (and where the domestic garden is concerned an outside tap), but in most cases this should not be a problem. Even in the event that an outside tap will need to be installed in order to install and operate the device, the effectiveness of the product and the low purchase price would almost certainly justify the outlay.
Also commonly known as:
Water jet, water scarecrow, hose spray, water gun, cat spray, water spray gun, water deterrent, scarecrow water jet, scarecrow sprinkler, scare crow water jet
Relevance to pigeon control:
‘The Scarecrow’ is a general bird scarer and although there is potential for the product to be used for the control of pigeons it is not commonly used for this purpose
About Pigeon Patrol:
Pigeon Patrol Products & Services is the leading manufacturer and distributor of bird deterrent (control) products in Canada. Pigeon Patrol products have solved pest bird problems in industrial, commercial, and residential settings since 2000, by using safe and humane bird deterrents with only bird and animal friendly solutions. At Pigeon Patrol, we manufacture and offer a variety of bird deterrents, ranging from Ultra-flex Bird Spikes with UV protection, Bird Netting, 4-S Gel and the best Ultrasonic and audible sound devices on the market today.
Voted Best Canadian wholesaler for Bird Deterrent products four years in a row.
Contact Info: 1- 877– 4– NO-BIRD (www.pigeonpatrol.ca)
by Pigeon Patrol | Jan 2, 2016 | Bird Netting, Pigeon Patrol's Services, Pigeon Spikes
Flashing Buddha Eyes
OVERVIEW
Flashing Hawkeye (FHE) and Flashing Buddha Eyes (FBE) are two visual scaring products produced by a UK-based company that combine the use of mirrors and predator/human images with movement to deter a wide variety of birds. Although both products would normally be associated with use in agricultural applications, where they can be extremely effective, the addition of a roof-mounted option renders both products considerably more versatile. Both the FHE and the FBE are effectively identical products but with different scaring images. The FHE uses a predator image for scaring and the FBE uses a human image – both images use bright primary colours to increase effectiveness.
Flashing Hawk Eyes
Both products comprise a plastic thermoformed aerofoil-shaped board, printed with images of predator eyes or human (Buddah-type) eyes, mounted on a metal post. Below the board a series of 4 reinforced high-impact mirrors are provided in a pyramid-shape and at an angle of approximately 45°. Both the board and the mirrors rotate courtesy of a series of high-quality sealed bearings in a bracket at the top of the post and according to the manufacturer will rotate in even the lightest wind. The products are solely wind powered with no motor or mechanical drivers. As the units rotate in the wind the light reflected from the mirrors produces a bright flash, even in dull or cloudy conditions, which can be seen from a considerable distance. The flash of the mirrors combined with the flashing colourful images printed on the board (at a rate dictated by wind speed) will have the effect of making any birds in the vicinity feel unsafe.
Flashing Hawkeye
on Roof
Both products are extremely simple to install irrespective of which installation option is chosen. For ground installations the unit is quick and easy to install via the optional and inexpensive post driving and crossbar/post removal tool. The post driving and crossbar/post removal tool (weighing 4.25 kilos) is a robust metal bar with a crossbar at one end which allows the user to drive the central post into the ground by pumping the bar up and down. The same tool allows the unit to be removed, with relative ease, from the ground. Both the FHE and the FBE have a finned spike base, which ensures that once the post is driven into the ground it will remain in situ and continue to stand upright even in strong winds. This is because the fins on the spike stop the unit from moving laterally once installed into the ground.
Flashing Buddha
Eyes in Field
In order to operate as designed both the FHE and the FBE must be installed vertically. Once the spike has been driven into the ground a spirit level must be used on each side of the base of the spike to ensure that the unit is standing at 90°. Once the unit is standing vertically the final adjustment is made courtesy of 4 adjustable locking screws located at the base of the unit. Assuming that the unit is provided in a vertical position even the lightest wind will rotate the board and mirrors.
The major benefit of the FHE and the FBE is complete lack of running costs. No batteries to charge or power sources to worry about, the unit will continue operating 24/7 with little or no human interaction required other than to check the vertical alignment of the unit periodically to ensure that it is maintaining its vertical position. Of course the downside of this is that the unit will not operate on days when there is no wind. The FHE and FBE will be effective on cloudy days, according to the manufacturer, and even at night as the mirrors will reflect light from the moon as well as the sun. This would allow the unit to be used against night-time predation of crops or fish from fish farms. Another major advantage of the FHE and the FBE is completely silent operation, allowing the unit to be used in areas of human habitation.
Applications for the FHE and the FBE include use with all types of arable crops, vineyards, horticultural applications, landfill sites, fish farms and as scarers for the protection of soft fruit. Both products can also be used in urban and semi-urban applications courtesy of the roof-mounted model, which allows the unit to be installed on the roof of an industrial building or any commercial site where the reflection of the mirrors will not cause human disturbance. The roof-mounted option differs from the ground spike-mounted option in that the vertical post is considerably shorter than the ground spike-mounted post (which stands at chest height). The plastic aerofoil-shaped board on the roof-mounted version also has a lower profile than the ground spike-mounted board. This is to reduce wind resistance and potential damage to the board in extremely strong winds based on the fact that the unit will be provided at height. The special bracket supplied with the roof-mounted model provides the user with a number of mounting options, further increasing the versatility of the product, certainly where installation is concerned. The FHE and FBE can be installed in the following ways when using the mounting bracket:
- on a flat vertical surface
- into the corner formed by two adjacent vertical surfaces
- onto the top of a wall/post and embracing the two adjacent vertical sides of a corner
Flashing Hawkeye
in Field
Although bird scarers are normally designed and used in rural and agricultural applications where they are considered to be reasonably effective as part of an overall scaring operation, their use in urban environments is less common. This is, in the main, due to their potential for human disturbance. The FHE and FBE roof-mounted models are designed to be used in this application, which sets them aside from conventional scaring products. The most obvious problem associated with their use in urban environments is the flashing created by the mirrors revolving and the potential for the visual disturbance of motorists and those within line of sight of the product. Other than this potential problem there would appear to be no reason why the FHE and FBE could not play a major scaring role as part of an existing control system. Although the product could be used as part of a pigeon control system it is more likely to be effective for the control of roof-nesting gulls. The fact that the unit employs movement combined with two types of visual stimulus make it a good option for gull control.
Habituation is an ongoing problem with all scaring products, but the added advantage of the FHE and FBE is movement. Not only do the units revolve in light winds but, unlike many scarers with flashing lights, the FHE and FBE are intermittent in operation, certainly in as much as they will speed up and slow down according to the strength of the wind or stop if there is no wind at all. A light that flashes constantly and with timed flashes will be habituated to far more quickly than an intermittent light source.
This straightforward and well-designed product has a number of applications for a variety of different birds, making it a good choice for anyone experiencing problems with more than one species. The product is also sensibly priced, making it a good option to trial – if it proves to be ineffective the loss will not have been great. As with all the products manufactured by this company, high quality components have been used and although the products could have been produced at a lower price point, the emphasis has been placed on quality, not price. Whether the product proves to be visually disturbing in urban applications is an unknown, but even if the product can be used on industrial sites where human disturbance would be kept to a minimum, it would be an interesting and potentially effective tool.
DEFRA’s view:
The Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) is the UK’s Government body that oversees the Wildlife and Countryside Act and produces legislation to which the pest control industry must adhere. The following information is taken from a document provided on the DEFRA website entitled ‘Review of international research regarding the effectiveness of auditory bird scaring techniques and potential alternatives’ by J. Bishop, H. McKay, D. Parrott and J. Allan.
As both products involve the use of both mirrors and (in the case of Flashing Hawkeye) raptor images we have included relevant sections on both types of scaring:
Reflective Mirrors
Mirrors and reflectors work on the principle that sudden bright flashes of light produce a startle response and drive the bird from an area. However, the response of free-living birds to mirrors has been investigated in only a handful of species.
Foraging by black-capped chickadees Parus atricapillus at feeding stations was depressed by the presentation of either a standard mirror or an aluminium foil covered mirror; feeding was depressed the most by the standard mirror (Censky & Ficken 1982). When placed in nesting territories mirrors evoked aggressive responses from blue grouse Dendragapus obscurus (Stirling 1968) and glaucous-winged gulls Larus glaucesens (mirror combined with playback of gull calls) (Stout et al. 1969).
Reflective objects have been reported as being effective in deterring raptors, such as sparrowhawks and goshawks, from game release pens. Experiments in Europe showed that large silvered balls were effective in protecting reared game and chickens from diurnal raptors, particularly sparrowhawks and goshawks (Mansfield 1954; Pfeiffer & Keil 1963, cited in Lloyd 1976). Various gamekeepers in the UK also advocate the use of reflective objects. Opportunistic trials using such suspended materials successfully ended sparrowhawk predation at three different release pens.
Mirrors and reflectors have also been found to be inexpensive but effective against waterfowl, gulls and some herons (Greer and O’Connor 1994 cited in Reilly 1995). However, although aluminium pie plates suspended on varying lengths of twine deterred some waterfowl species, ducks were regularly seen to swim within 4-5 m of the reflectors (Boag and Lewin 1980).
In a survey of 336 fish hatchery managers in eastern USA, eight reported using tin reflectors of which seven said they had limited or no success as a depredation control technique (Parkhurst et al. 1987). In the same survey only one manager used mirrors and that was unsuccessful. Mirrors placed inside nest-boxes did not deter starlings from nesting within (Seamans et al. 2001).
A device consisting of a rotating pyramid of mirrors has been recommended for preventing crow damage to seedling corn (Anon. 2002d). This device is available in the UK and the manufacturer claims it is effective over four hectares against pigeons, blackbirds, starlings and crows on a variety of crops, but no scientific research has been can carried out to substantiate these claims (Anon. 2000a).
Although easy and inexpensive to put up and easy to relocate, the effectiveness of mirrors and reflectors as a bird scaring technique is variable. As they are only effective when they reflect sunlight and so are useless before sunrise (Nakamura 1999), they are best combined with other methods of scaring.
Raptor models
The basis for this deterrent is mimicry of real predators and evocation of fear and avoidance in the target species. Most potential prey species react to predator models; the strength of the response, however, varies between species (Conover 1979), and in some cases raptor models can attract rather than repel birds as species like blackbirds and crows often mob owls or owl models (Conover 1983, cited in Harris and Davis 1998).
Model raptors fail to incorporate behavioural cues, which may be critical to the induction of fear and avoidance in the target species. Falcons which are “in the mood” to hunt are said to be “sharp set”; such bird are invariably hungry enough to fly at quarry. Although it is difficult for human observers to differentiate between a falcon when it is sharp set and conversely well fed, birds will mob a hawk more frequently when sharp set than when well fed. Thus, model raptors will be inherently less threatening and consequently less effective than live raptors (Inglis 1980).
In the USA, museum-mounted models of a sharp-shinned hawk Accipiter striatus and goshawk Accipiter gentilis both reduced the numbers of birds visiting feeding stations. Habituation to the models, however, was relatively quick with birds reentering the feeding area after only 5-8 hours exposure (Conover 1979).
For some bird species the avoidance response to large avian predators appears to be, in part, a learned behaviour. Juvenile gray jays Perisoreus canadensis showed little response to a model great horned owl Bubo virginianus, whereas adult jays reacted intensely (Montevecchi & Maccarone 1987). Interestingly, with repeated exposure, juveniles developed a greater fear toward the model whereas adults habituated to the decoy.
As for scarecrows, movement can enhance scaring effectiveness. An animated crowkilling owl model was more effective in protecting vegetable plots from crows than an unanimated model (Conover 1985). This model consisted of a plastic owl model with a plastic crow model in its talons that either had wings that moved in the breeze or battery-powered wings that could move in the absence of wind. Both versions of this device reduced crop damage by 81%. The deterrent effect was maximised by combining movement with an implicit risk. No indication is given of how long the deterrent effect lasted.
In general, raptor models are inexpensive (£5-£25 for plastic owl models, Network Pest Control Systems Ltd.) and easy to deploy. Their effectiveness is increased if they are animated and if they are moved frequently. However, birds quickly learn that the model poses no threat and rapidly habituate to it.
Price range:
Flashing Hawkeye/Flashing Buddha Eyes for ground mounting: £134.00 + VAT
Flashing Hawkeye/Flashing Buddha Eyes for roof mounting: £151.00 + VAT
Optional post driver and crossbar/post removal tool: £16 + VAT
User reviews:
To date we have been unable to find any user reviews for Flashing Hawkeye or Flashing Buddha Eyes but we will update this section as and when user reviews are made available to us. Anybody that can provide a user review for Flashing Hawkeye or Flashing Buddha Eyes please contact the Pigeon Control Resource Centre.
Comments from the Manufacturer/Distributor:
The following information about the use of Flashing Hawkeye and Flashing Buddah Eyes is taken from the scaringbirds.com website:
“The Flashing Hawkeye (and Flashing Buddah Eyes) with mirrors comprises a thermoformed aerofoil-shaped board which is secured in a bracket mounted on the top of a metal post which revolves in the lightest wind on high quality sealed bearings. Hanging downwards from the same bracket is a multi-angled series of reinforced high impact mirrors shaped like a lampshade which rotate with the aerofoil board.
As the Flashing Hawkeye revolves in the wind, it reveals an image of a pair of menacing and vibrant coloured predator’s eyes in contrasting colours on either side which gives a blinking effect as it rotates. At the same time, the mirrors provide a powerful and very eye-catching flash which can be seen at great distances, thus protecting large acreages. In conditions of bright sunlight, this can be equivalent to looking directly at the sun, but even on more overcast days and at first light of dawn, it reflects sufficient light to be significantly eye-catching. It can also be effective at night time under a full moon when it can resemble a flash from a powerful torch.
The optional driving tool and crossbar/post remover is a heavy bar with a cross-bar fitted through one end which provides an easy way of driving the post into the ground by pumping the bar up and down in the mouth of the post. Just as importantly, it enables the spike to be moved without resort to lever bars and spades. This is achieved by inserting the crossbar through the side of the metal ground spike, thus providing a horizontal surface against which to swing upwards with the heavy bar and the spike then lifts out with comparative ease.”
Editorial comments:
Flashing Buddha
Eyes in Field
Bird scarers are not normally associated with use in urban areas and this is what sets the FHE and the FBE apart from a majority of other scaring products. As scarers for agricultural applications the FHE and the FBE offer the user a good solid product that has been designed and manufactured to stand the test of time rather than being manufactured to a price. Even so, the units are relatively inexpensive to purchase, with the optional post driver offered at an extremely keen price, allowing for quick and easy installation and removal.
Habituation is always a worry with scarers and no more so than with the roof-mounted model due to the fact that the installation bracket supplied with this model requires a permanent fixing. Therefore, if the product has to be moved due to habituation, or for any other reason, it is likely that another suitable site will need to be found where the bracket can be installed. This may not always be easy. The advantages of a heavy-duty mounting bracket, however, is that it will provide the unit with an extremely strong base and dramatically reduce the potential for the product to be blown down in high winds, a constant headache with wind-powered scarers. The mounting bracket also allows for a variety of fixings into different surfaces, which increases its versatility where re-siting is concerned.
The unit may cause human disturbance in urban areas and this may restrict its use, but in the event that the Hawkeye or Buddah eye images are effective in their own right, the mirrors could be blanked off to stop reflected light causing problems. It may even be possible to detach the mirrors altogether. Movement is a critical factor when scaring birds and intermittent movement is much more effective than pre-timed operations from battery or mains powered devices. Due to the high quality bearings used for the FHE and the FBE the unit will revolve in very little wind and if installed on top of a building, where there is usually considerably more wind than at ground level, the unit should continue to move even on still days. On a windy day the unit will revolve a staggering 70,000+ times a day.
The FHE and the FBE are not guaranteed to be effective, neither will they be effective as a stand-alone bird control, but they represent excellent value for money and have the potential to be effective in a wide variety of applications. Of all the bird scarers this is one of the most simple to power and install and other than regular checks to ensure the product is aligned correctly to the vertical, it can be left to operate without human interaction. When compared to the excessively high price of some bird scaring products, particularly electronic products, the cost of the FHE and FBE pale into insignificance and must be worth consideration as a result.
Sources:
DEFRA quotes:
PDF on DEFRA website entitled: ‘Review of international research regarding the effectiveness of auditory bird scaring techniques and potential alternatives.’ By J. Bishop, H. McKay, D. Parrott and J. Allan.
Also commonly known as:
Mirror scarers, flashing scarers, wind scarers, predator scarers, flashing hawks, human scarers, scarecrows, predator scarecrows
Relevance to pigeon control:
Both products are suitable for use as general scarers in virtually all agricultural applications and with all species of birds. The roof-mounted version of the products can be used to scare both feral pigeons and gulls in urban applications
About Pigeon Patrol:
Pigeon Patrol Products & Services is the leading manufacturer and distributor of bird deterrent (control) products in Canada. Pigeon Patrol products have solved pest bird problems in industrial, commercial, and residential settings since 2000, by using safe and humane bird deterrents with only bird and animal friendly solutions. At Pigeon Patrol, we manufacture and offer a variety of bird deterrents, ranging from Ultra-flex Bird Spikes with UV protection, Bird Netting, 4-S Gel and the best Ultrasonic and audible sound devices on the market today.
Voted Best Canadian wholesaler for Bird Deterrent products four years in a row.
Contact Info: 1- 877– 4– NO-BIRD (www.pigeonpatrol.ca)
by Pigeon Patrol | Jan 1, 2016 | Animal Deterrent Products, Bird Netting, Pigeon Patrol's Services
Council officers say they think killer bait has been put down to tackle pigeons – but warn it is a danger to children, pets and wildlife
Lives have been put at risk after rat poison was scattered on a busy city street, say council officers.
Twice this week large quantities of pellets were found on the pavement of Great Cheetham Street East in Higher Broughton, Salford.
It is suspected it was put down to kill pigeons but the council says the culprits are putting local children, pets, and wildlife at risk – and say the bait is not effective for tackling pigeons.
They have warned that those responsible could face criminal charges for littering and are asking the public to come forward with information to help catch the culprit.
A spokesman for Salford council said: “We’ve had four previous reports of someone scattering rat poison pellets in Great Cheetham Street East at the junction with Bevendon Square, near the Oriental Pearl takeaway.
“We cleaned it up on Monday and the following day had to go back again and clean up an even more widespread scattering. We estimate about half a bucket load was put down.
“We’re not sure why someone would do such an irresponsible thing but we suspect they think it will kill pigeons roosting on the roof of the Oriental Pearl takeaway.
“The pigeons are unlikely to touch pellets like this but if children or pets or wildlife ate a lot of them they could become seriously ill.
“The most effective way to get rid of pigeons is for local people to stop feeding them. People may think it’s harmless to throw a bit of bread out for the pigeons or throw down bits of their lunch for them but it only encourages them to hang around the area. If there is no food for them they will move on elsewhere.
“Though these pellets are widely available to the public, council officials only use them after a careful risk assessment.
“We make sure they are placed where rats and mice can get to them but other wildlife and humans can’t. To simply throw them down in the middle of a busy street is totally irresponsible and it must stop immediately.”
The pellets are thought to contain difenacoum which has been used in Europe for over 30 years and is particularly effective against rodents.
However it is a potent poison for all mammals and should be kept well away from non-targets animals and humans. Anyone with any information should call 0161 909 6500
About Pigeon Patrol:
Pigeon Patrol Products & Services is the leading manufacturer and distributor of bird deterrent (control) products in Canada. Pigeon Patrol products have solved pest bird problems in industrial, commercial, and residential settings since 2000, by using safe and humane bird deterrents with only bird and animal friendly solutions. At Pigeon Patrol, we manufacture and offer a variety of bird deterrents, ranging from Ultra-flex Bird Spikes with UV protection, Bird Netting, 4-S Gel and the best Ultrasonic and audible sound devices on the market today.
Voted Best Canadian wholesaler for Bird Deterrent products four years in a row.
Contact Info: 1- 877– 4– NO-BIRD (www.pigeonpatrol.ca)
by Pigeon Patrol | Dec 31, 2015 | 4-S Gel Bird repellent, Animal Deterrent Products, Bird Netting, Pigeon Patrol's Services
Earlier this week Senator Denis O’Donovan became the second Fianna Fail senator to raise the issue of tackling the “vicious seabird”.
Speaking in the Seanad he said that seagulls were “invading the towns and the villages.”
“Seagulls have actually killed lambs and they’ve killed rabbits and I think it is coming to the stage where they are actually endangering society,” Mr O’Donovan said.
He added that “maybe we should look at a cull on this vicious seabird.”
However, animal rights organisation Aran has said that killing the animals won’t keep them away from urban areas.
“Calling for an all-out assault on seagulls is completely irresponsible, cruel and short-sighted,” Aran said in a statement.
The group highlighted that nothing has been done to tackle the real problem of people and businesses leaving out rubbish which “lures the birds in.”
The statement continues: “We are destroying their ecosystem and taking their food from the seas to feed ourselves and the gulls are only doing what is necessary to them by coming inland to try and get food.
“Maybe we, as in society, should take a step back from sucking our seas dry of marine life and letting the fish to the birds and laying off.
“Maybe laying off Senator O’Donovan might not be a bad thing either.”
Speaking to UTV Ireland Senator O’Donovan said some of his comments in the Seanad have been misconstrued.
“I haven’t called for the army to come in. I don’t agree with killing seagulls but a cull can be done in a different way.”
“Their [Aran] response by attacking me is not the response I have been getting from the public,” he added.
He said he had asked for a debate on the issue in the Seanad, and unless a solution can be put forward “people will take the law into their own hands” by poisioning and shooting the animals.
Asked if he would accept Aran’s offer to help draft a humane plan, he said: “I’m willing to meet with them once they acknowledge there is a problem.”
Last year Senator Ned O’Sullivan told the Seanad seagulls had “lost the run of themselves” – and were taking lollipops from young children.
Mr O’Sullivan said while the topic might seem funny to some it was a serious issue in Dublin.
Speaking to UTV Ireland, an expert from Rentokill explained that seagulls are actually protected under animal protection laws.
He admitted the company do receive callouts regarding the marine bird, but rather than killing them there are non-deadly methods like nest removal, netting, bird repellent gels and larus gull wires.
The stainless steel spring wires are apparently effective in preventing birds from roosting on exposed ledges and rooftops.
Nest removal, meanwhile, requires permission under Section 22 of the Wildlife Act.
Removing the habitat without sanction is an offence and breaks wildlife conservation legislation.
“There are very high populations [of seagulls]. Climate and behaviour wise these birds are becoming more established.”
“But from that point of view we are encroaching, we provide food,” he said.
Regarding any cull of the bird, he added that “the last you want to do is to kill, and you have to look at other methods first.”
He said the best course of action would be for an environmental assessment to be carried out, to see how bird populations could be reduced.
About Pigeon Patrol:
Pigeon Patrol Products & Services is the leading manufacturer and distributor of bird deterrent (control) products in Canada. Pigeon Patrol products have solved pest bird problems in industrial, commercial, and residential settings since 2000, by using safe and humane bird deterrents with only bird and animal friendly solutions. At Pigeon Patrol, we manufacture and offer a variety of bird deterrents, ranging from Ultra-flex Bird Spikes with UV protection, Bird Netting, 4-S Gel and the best Ultrasonic and audible sound devices on the market today.
Voted Best Canadian wholesaler for Bird Deterrent products four years in a row.
Contact Info: 1- 877– 4– NO-BIRD (www.pigeonpatrol.ca)
