Thursday, February 9, 2012

Why You Should Buy Stainless Steel Bird Spikes


There are several different kinds of bird spikes such as plastic or stainless steel. If you want to make a purchase it is definitely important to consider the choices. However, stainless steel bird spikes are a much better choice than other materials such as iron or plastic. Though they each serve the same basic function, stainless steel trumps the other choices in terms of durability and quality.

When purchasing bird spikes, you naturally want to buy a product that will last and be the best quality possible. With stainless steel, you’re making a good purchase decision. Stainless steel is a popular choice when you want to build something to last. Here’s a few reasons why you want to consider buying a stainless steel bird spike.

Reason 1 – Stainless Steel Bird Spikes Don’t Rust

First of all, stainless steel bird spikes don’t rust whereas those made from iron do. This is an important consideration because chances are very good that you’ll want your bird spikes to last. Since rust is corrosive this means that the stainless steel product will last longer. Iron bird spikes will start to weaken because when something rusts, the iron starts to weaken. Stainless steel doesn’t have this problem.

Reason 2 – Stainless Steal Bird Spikes are Strong and Durable

One popular material for bird spikes is also plastic. However, it is important to understand that you should be wary of plastic if you are installing them it areas that are in direct sunlight all day. Stainless steel bird spikes are much better because they are a lot more durable in sunlight than plastic which can be rather flimsy when it gets hot. Plastic parts can crack and become structurally unstable with extended sun exposure over time. When you make the choice to use stainless steel bird spikes, you are buying a higher quality product.

Reason 3 – Stainless Steel Bird Spikes are Long Lasting

Another important point to make about stainless steel bird spikes is they they last a long time. We’ve already covered that they don’t rust like iron does and that they are a lot more durable than plastic. However, there are other factors to consider because in general, they just last longer than bird spikes made of other materials.

As you can see, stainless steel bird spikes are a great option and are much better over iron bird spikes and plastic bird spikes. Iron turns into rust when faced with the elements which ends up corroding the material. Plastic can break and crack fairly easily. Stainless steel is strong and durable and will last for years.

How To Install Bird Spikes

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Filed under Bird Spikes


Bird spikes are a very useful mechanism for bird control. They keep unwanted birds such as pigeons from landing and nesting in areas and on surfaces where they do not belong. Even better, bird spikes keep birds away from a desired area without actually harming the bird. There are many ways to install bird spikes. The method you should use depends on where you want to put the spikes, the material they are to be installed on (such as brick or wood) and the size of the spikes.

Before installation, be sure to take a walk around the property and take note of all locations where unwanted birds are perched. If you have spikes in one or two locations, but other areas are open to pest birds, you will be doing little for bird control. Perch sites are most frequently found on anything that protrudes from a building, including balconies, windows, chimneys and poles.

After you’ve decided where you want to install the bird spikes, survey those areas so that you know how much space is required. A single row of bird spikes typically covers between 6 and 10 feet. If the area is very wide, you may have to install two rows of spikes, leaving a 2 inch gap between the rows. If the area is narrow, most spikes will allow you to cut one side of the spikes off, so that the row of spikes will fit easily on the narrow surface.

Don’t begin to install the spikes if you haven’t cleaned the area. Sweep off all debris, including leaves, dirt and nests. It may be helpful to spray a disinfectant on the area.

Bird spikes are made from a variety of materials, most frequently stainless steel or plastic. The material you use doesn’t matter too much, as long as they are thin enough to not support the bird’s weight. The spikes should also be close together so that the birds will not be able to fit through them.

If you are installing stainless steel or plastic bird spikes onto gutters, you will need to use gutter clips, which are available in most hardware stores. Clip the gutter clip to the spikes, and then clip those to the outer edge of the gutter. If you need to remove the bird spikes from your gutter, you should use a pliers to pinch the top of each clip and the spikes will come off easily. These clips can be used in other areas, such as ledges, where you think you will need to remove the bird spikes from time to time for tasks such as painting and cleaning. If you use clips to attach the spikes, you can still ensure bird control while having the flexibility of moving them. However, clips are much less stable than glue-down bird spikes, so if you do not expect to ever remove the spikes, you should glue the base to the desired surface. Instructions for glue-down methods of bird spike installation follow:

  • 1. Apply a thin strip of glue to the base of the spike. You should use a 10 fluid ounce tube of quality glue for every 30 feet of bird control spikes.
  • 2. Now apply the base of the spike to the desired surface and press down firmly. Check the back of the glue bottle for instructions on the amount of pressure and time needed to cement the bird spikes.
  • 3. Continue steps 1 and 2 until all the problem areas are covered with bird control spikes.

If you are nervous about climbing onto a roof or other high area to install the bird spikes, feel free to call up a local handyman or roof cleaner. They will install the spikes wherever you want them for a small fee.

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