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Birds will perch and nest anywhere that they can. For Airbnb hosts and rental property owners, this causes problems. What do you need to know about bird spikes for rental properties? Our experts dive into their uses and which is best for you.

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What are bird spikes used for Bird spikes deter birds from roosting and perching. The spikes are fixed to a narrow but flexible base, allowing for installation in areas most desirable to birds. They look aggressive but are blunt so aren’t designed to harm the birds. The narrow spacing between spices prevents them from landing, with different sizes for different species.

Why bird control is crucial for Airbnb and rental properties

Birds can cause plenty of problems, including:

• Noise disruption. Many birds will chirp in the early morning, disrupting your Airbnb guests. Some species of birds, such as seagulls, can become aggressive if they perceive the area around your property as their space.
• Hygiene risks. Bird droppings, or guano, can harbour harmful bacteria such as Salmonella or contain Histoplasma fungus. These can cause diseases like respiratory infection, pneumonia, or histoplasmosis.
• Structural damage. Guano is acidic. This can lead to structural damage in buildings and cosmetic damage in paintwork.

Why are bird spikes for Airbnb must-haves?

Airbnb hosts pride themselves on high levels of cleanliness. Nesting birds can ruin this and cause significant issues, leading to:

• Guest complaints
• Sanitation issues
• Listing violations
• Additional cleaning costs

As the UK’s leading bird control experts, we have delivered bird spikes for Airbnbs and property rentals across the country, as well as other bird control technology. Read the reviews below to discover how we could help you.

Are bird spikes the most efficient bird control for rental?

Bird spikes aren’t the only bird control method you should consider for your rental property. Netting, repellent gels, and ultrasonic devices can all be used, but bird spikes are the most efficient bird control method.

They require minimal maintenance, saving you valuable time and money, and last for a long time, ensuring your property is free from nesting birds f

Choosing the right bird spikes

There are many different species of birds, which is why we have a variety of bird spikes to suit your needs. If you have a particular problem pest to deal with, you can buy bird spikes specifically designed to deal with that species.

Pigeon spikes Pigeons are common in the UK and will perch anywhere, especially around city rental properties. Our pigeon spikes are medium-sized with a wider spacing, usually between 1.5 and 2 inches apart, to prevent pigeons from landing on ledges, windowsills, and rooftops. Shop pigeon spikes

Seagull spikes Any seaside Airbnb and rental properties will have to deal with seagulls. Seagull spikes are designed to be sturdier than other types, with wider spacing for their larger wingspan and stronger grips. They are ideal to use on rooftops, signs, and chimneys. Shop seagull spikes

Starling spikes Rural rentals, especially barn conversions or countryside cottages, might have problems with starlings. Starling spikes are finer and closer together to deter smaller birds, which might easily perch between standard pigeon spikes. Shop starling spikes

Sparrow spikes If you own a historic rental property, sparrows can easily get into roof spaces or vents to nest. Sparrow spikes are some of the narrowest, with densely packed spikes to prevent sparrows from roosting on narrow ledges, beams, and intricate architectural details. Shop sparrow spikes

Installing bird spikes for rental properties

Our bird spikes are easy to install, but where you install bird spikes will depend on the particular problem you face. These bird spikes for rental properties are designed for installation in different areas, including:

• Window ledges
• Balconies
• Rooftop edges
• Chimneys
• Signage
• Beams
• Architectural details

Our team of experts recommend not installing spikes where birds already have active nests. Removal of these birds may be illegal, so speak to a member of our team for advice.

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Bird spikes for rental properties

Being proactive with bird control can make a huge difference to your Airbnb or rental property. By deterring birds from nesting, you can ensure your guests have the stay that they deserve. Invest in long-term protection with high-quality bird spikes.

Before buying seagull spikes as a deterrent, carefully consider these questions:

• Are they big and strong enough to deter seagulls, which outsize most birds?
• Does the manufacturer use weather-resistant materials, crucial for coastal areas?
• Are they humane?

This article will explore all of these points in more detail below.

Before you read on: At BirdControl.UK.com, we sell three different types of commercial-grade seagull spikes designed for effective and humane seagull deterrence. They are ideal for preventing seagulls from roosting and nesting on ledges, roofs, fences, signs and other problem areas. Click on each product for detailed information on application, installation, specification guidelines and everything else — contact us today if you have any questions. We offer volume discounts and won’t be beaten on price. 5-10 year warranties available. View: our seagull bird control spikes technical data sheet. Contact Us now — we’ll answer any questions you have about bird control.

Do bird spikes have to be a certain size and strength to deter seagulls?

Yes. Seagulls are larger and stronger than most other birds in the UK. They also have longer legs, and so can pass easily over shorter or less dense bird spikes.

Seagulls are also very persistent and determined, and their greater weight allows them to potentially flatten or bend bird spikes designed for pigeons, starlings or sparrows — so seagull bird spikes will have to be more robust. 

Seagull bird spikes should also be angled outwards and upwards rather than pointing straight up. This makes it harder for seagulls to land. Spikes angled this way also protect a larger area from seagull landings.

Are plastic or metal bird spikes better for seagulls — and which one is more weather resistant?

Stainless steel is the most commonly recommended material for coastal regions because it is resistant to corrosion, salt and moisture. 

Products such as this small species plastic bird spike are great for preventing small garden birds from perching. But we would not recommend them for coastal areas. 

How do I make sure my seagull bird spikes will work effectively and are installed correctly?

A few things you’ll need to consider are:

• If your property is in a ‘high pressure or high traffic area’. If you are infested with seagulls, then you might need more specialist seagull bird spikes or installation information to get the job done.
  
  If this is the case, contact us on 01539720950 for specialist advice.
  
• The different materials you’ll want to fix seagull bird spikes to. For example, concrete, metal, wood — as this will dictate the fixing type and adhesives used.
  
• The shape of the surface that needs protecting. Curved and angled areas are challenging and, in our opinion, require specialist, expert installation. 

How do I ensure my seagull bird spikes are humane?

Make sure the seagull bird spikes you purchase are:

• Blunt at the edges, not sharp. So the birds won’t get injured if they brush past them.
  
• Installed properly. If they aren’t installed properly, seagulls and other birds may land and get trapped. Good installation deters seagulls from landing at all.
  
• From a reputable, fully trained and BPCA insured company.
  
• Described specifically as bird ‘deterrents’. 

Follow these points and you can be confident your bird spikes will be a humane deterrence to seagulls. 

Final thoughts.

Unfortunately, there’s no shortage of brittle, ineffective and inhuman bird spikes sold online. Even websites like Amazon can host third-party vendors that sell spikes that could fail to deter seagulls and harm them in the process. 

This can be for all sorts of reasons. Such dodgy bird spikes may have:

• Flimsy bases that are uneven or poorly moulded, making them difficult to install securely. And if they aren’t UV protected, they could degrade quickly in sunlight.
  
• Irregular or shape spikes, which may injure birds.
  
• The wrong specifications. Spikes that are too short or too widely spaced will not deter seagulls properly. Some cheap marketplace options may even give incorrect specifications. 

It’s best to buy from a professional company and have your bird spikes installed by professionals. Be weary of ‘too good to be true’ prices. You will end up paying a lot more in the long-run. 

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FAQs.

Do bird spikes hurt seagulls?

No. Proper, professional seagull bird spikes from a reputable company will deter seagulls from landing and will not harm them even as they brush past the tips of the ‘spikes’. However, some cheap marketplace products may be harmful — so be careful what you purchase and stick with the professionals.  

Are bird spikes legal?

Yes. They are legal. But if installed incorrectly they can cause unnecessary harm to protected birds and even people — which is against the law. When in doubt, have a professional and fully insured team install the spikes.