Kings of Leon concert halted by pigeon poop

The Kings of Leon had to stop a concert because of pigeons. (Photo courtesy of CNN)

Who expects to go to a concert and have it end three songs in due to…pigeons? That’s what happened at the Verizon Wireless Amphitheater in St. Louis this past weekend. The Kings of Leon spent Friday, July 23, dodging aerial attacks by pigeons.

An infestation of the birds in the rafters of the Verizon Amphitheatre bombarded the musicians as soon as they took the stage, according to Andy Mendelsohn of Vector Management.

“Jared (Followill) was hit several times during the first two songs,” Mendelsohn said of the band’s bassist.

CNN

The pigeons were a problem the entire night, even before the popular band took the stage. Band members reported seeing droppings on their instruments and carpet when they walked out. Soon after, the droppings began falling from the sky.

Even the opening bands, The Postelles and The Stills, dealt with the birds during their sets.

(The opening bands) came offstage complaining of getting riddled with large amounts of excrement, their publicist said…

…”We couldn’t believe what The Postelles and The Stills looked like after their sets,” Followill said.”

CNN

This didn’t have to happen, and, honestly, this never should happen. There are too many maintenance free and inexpensive ways to curtail this sort of thing. A simple, stop-the-problem-right-now solution is bird spikes. Pigeons love to roost on ledges, wires, panes — anything that’s available and easy. Spikes immediately take away that option.

The Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre only need a few spikes to get rid of the pigeons. Instead, they got a media firestorm and the worst publicity imaginable. (Photo courtesy of Bird-X, Inc.)

Don’t like the way spikes look? Well, try a roost-inhibiting gel like this one. Like spikes, this stops birds from roosting. But the gel makes the surface sticky and uncomfortable for the birds, and they’ll find another place to rest.

Outdoor music venues are ideal places for pigeons to roost. (Photo courtesy of Blisstree)

Another option are sound devices. Two in particular - the Ultrason X and the Quad Blaster QB-4 - emit ultrasonic sounds inaudible to humans. The Ultrason X has four external speakers each with 100-foot cords perfect for indoor and outdoor music venues like the one pictured above. It covers 3,600 square feet and gets rid of all types of birds, especially pigeons.

The Quad Blaster QB-4 is also great for outdoors. It’s four internal speakers emit high frequency sound waves and audio signals. The sounds confuse and frighten the birds, quickly scaring them away from the effective area up to 6,500 square feet. Either one of these sound devices, in combination with physical aversions, will greatly reduce the risk of pigeons affecting your business negatively.

This story has been all over the news, and it’s been awful publicity for all involved. What if this had been your business? What would you say or do to make this go away? Could your business handle this kind of publicity?

Situations like this are 100% avoidable. Call us up at 312-226-2473 if you have questions about bird damage or just want simple tips to get rid of them. And definitely check out our website for more info on effective bird control products.

Canada goose, 3 eggs slows down production on a $150 mil. luxury building in the UK

A security guard has been assigned to protect this Canada goose and her two eggs in a U.K. building. This little goose has held up work on a $150 million luxury building.

A funny things happen to living creatures every once in a while: they reproduce. Unfortunately for a British construction company, a goose decided to exert her right to reproduce on their production site.

A recent Aol News piece shed some light on the situation, saying that the goose got comfortable. There is even a 24-hour security guard standing watch to make sure she’s safe and sound.

While production on the building isn’t completely stalled — the contractor explains that they are working on a different area until the goose leaves — it’s definitely a hassle. What if this happened to your company? Comfortable geese looking for a nice spot to raise a family just plop down and stay a while? This could cost millions and the liability factor could tack on more to that. Every seen a slip-and-fall incident resulting from a bird droppings? It’s quite expensive.

The GooseBuster is designed specifically for the humane elimination of pesky geese.

Putting up a few sound devices is the best thing to do for this kind of problem. The Goose Buster emits high quality digital playbacks of goose distress and alarm calls recorded in natural environments. Since the sounds are in the geese’s own language, they get the message: STAY AWAY!

Got questions about your specific goose problem? Check out www.bird-x.com for more products, or call us up at 800-860-0473!

Social starlings cause big problems

Starling packs are always on the hunt for places to roost, feed and rest. Taking over a large building isn't too difficult for a group of over one thousand of these aggressive birds.

Of all the birds flying cities, starlings are probably the biggest problem. Last September, Steve Carlic of Syracuse (N.Y.) The Post-Standard wrote an article about exactly how dangerous - and expensive - it is to have starlings hanging around an area.

200 million shiny black European starlings crowd North America…The enormous flocks endanger air travel, mob cattle operations, chase off native songbirds, roost on city blocks, leaving behind corrosive, foul-smelling droppings and hundreds of millions of dollars of damage each year.

Carlic is absolutely right. Starlings travel in massive packs. These packs are so large and dense - sometimes totaling over a thousand birds - it can blacken the sky and completely take over sections of buildings.

The main problem with hypersocial starlings is their droppings. Bird droppings carry many diseases, and they come with a big risk: the liability factor. Slip-and-fall incidents are not uncommon; they can cost companies thousands, possibly millions, of dollars in legal fees and lawsuits.

Tiny but powerful: multiply this little guy by six thousand, and a cute feathered friend turns into an enormous problem.

A multi-pronged attack is the only way to get rid of these tiny birds. Trying an ultra sonic sound device like the Bird-X Ultrason-X is a good place to start. It includes 4 speakers with 100-foot cords that emits annoying ultrasonic sounds annoying to birds. And with a coverage area of up 3600-square feet, it’s a guaranteed way to stop packs of starlings from getting too comfortable in your area.

Starlings love urban areas for the same reason most wildlife does: easy access to food, resting areas, water, and shelter among other things. Roosting for these packs is necessary, so physically obstruction them from being able to rest is necessary. Try some bird spikes or Bird Proof gel. Spikes are rigid and crooked, making it impossible for birds to rest, while the gel makes the area sticky and incredibly uncomfortable.

Stop starlings from making your roof their next roosting spot by putting up spikes or spreading some Bird Proof Gel; both of these are green and humane ways to get rid of unwanted pest birds immediately.

Make sure to contact one of our experts here at Bird-X for any other questions you have about your starling problem. Check out the website at www.bird-x.com or call us up at 800-860-0473!

Problem pigeons, and how to stop them

Unfortunately, not all of us see pigeons in the same light as this guy. And for good reason; pigeons carry over sixty transmittable diseases...while also being quite the nuisance.

Barry Schader had a problem. Bird droppings were constantly holding up his construction projects.

And draining his bank account.

In a Pest Control Technology Magazine article, Schader, owner of general construction firm Tischler Brothers, says bird croppings affected multiple aspects of his business.

“Bird droppings tend to seriously degrade roofing materials,” he said.

And the acidic nature of the droppings was not his only problem. Pigeons, that eat gravel, would defecate on the roof and their fecal matter would clog the drains. That created an even costlier problem: germiniation.

The high nitrogen content of the droppings offered a great environment for seeds to grow at an accelerated rate in the drainage system. Without sunlight, the plants die and clog the drains.

Pigeons love city living just as much as any urban dweller. With convenient places to roost (like this stop light) and an all-you-can-eat buffet on every block, what's not to love?

Once droppings dry, it is a race to get them off the surface to avoide degradation of the mostly organic roofing materials. Bird droppings on asphalt and pressed wood fiber, found in roofing materials, can mildew.

This is a common issue with roosting pigeons. They find a spot that provides all the amenities they need to be comfortable; places like drains provide a spot to rest, water and sometimes food. Not to mention the easy access; most people don’t really deal with the drains on the roof until they absolutely have to which, in this case, means it would be too late.

Pigeons are most densely located in the urban U.S., Mexico and southern Canada. City living provides endless amounts of food and water with practically no predators. The real estate is prime; they make their homes on window ledges, rooftops, bridges and in warehouses.

With their high dependency on humans for feeding and roosting as well as their social natures, it is no wonder people get so aggravated when they spot a “rat of the sky” setting up shop near them.

The best way to get rid of these creatures? Well, killing them sure isn’t on the list. Killing birds, while completely inhumane, is futile. It doesn’t change the fact that the area is attractive to the unwanted guest.

Bird-X's polycarbonate plastic spikes will immediately stop pigeons from roosting wherever they are bothersome. They prevent them from even attempting to stick around.

So what’s the secret? Changing the environment. Make it so uncomfortable for them to stay on your property that they have no choice but to leave immediately. The best way to do this is through a multi-sensory attack. Putting down spikes to disrupt their roosting patterns affects them physicaly, while erecting an ultrasonic sound device will annoying their hearing.

Use Broadband Pro to get rid of all birds!

Bird-X's Broadband Pro eliminates all types of birds using a dual-mode audio attack.

Get rid of birds with the Broadband Pro®, Bird-X’s sonic and ultrasonic bird expeller. This unit is fit for pretty much every bird issue you may have. It uses both sonic and ultrasonic sounds to send off a ‘warning signal’ to the birds. This dual-mode attack not only repels nearly any type of bird, but also confuses and frightens them to the point where they won’t come back.

The sounds emitted from the Broadband Pro are not artificial noises. They are sounds found naturally in nature and range from recorded bird distress signals to bird alarm calls to natural predator cries. And when it is in ‘silent’ mode, it is broadcasting an ultrasonic sound silent to humans but very annoying to birds and other pests.

One of the best features about the Broadband Pro® is the 4-speaker system. Many sound devices on the market use only one main stationary unit with no extra support. This device comes with four independent speakers, each with a 100 foot wire. The ‘surround sound’ effect will get rid of birds efficiently.

Use your Broadband Pro on docks to get rid of birds too stubborn and comfortable to leave.

And it can be used pretty much anywhere to get rid of birds including pigeons, sparrows, crows, starlings, vultures and many more. For indoor or outdoor use, in farms and barns, parking lots, apartment complexes, warehouses and docks, the Broadband Pro has a coverage area of up to 10,000 feet.

The Broadband Pro is a guaranteed win for any bird-control situation. By eliminating birds, it reduces the risk of potentially fatal diseases, health code violations, inspection failures, and lawsuits and liabilities. Because it completely gets rid of birds, it saves you money in labor (i.e. clean-up costs, messy products, etc.) and from the visual damage (like corroding) that acidic bird droppings cause.

The Broadband Pro is designed to eliminate all birds for good. This discrete, money-saving device is a must-have for small businesses, office buildings and even in the home. And as a bonus, this system includes over $100 in free visual scare devices to attack birds with an audio and visual assault! Your Broadband Pro purchase includes an Irri-Tape and Terror Eyes. Interested? Call us up at 800-860-0473 and talk to one of our experts. Or check us out on the web at www.bird-x.com!

Bird-Proof Gel a proven success

Bird Proof Gel is a great alternative to spikes when getting rid of birds on ledges, shelves and doorways.

A customer recently wrote a post on their blog about using our Bird Proof Gel to get rid of sparrows on and near their front door. Here’s an excerpt of the problem:

Last year, I had a family of sparrows nest just above my front door. Their mud nest left a mess on my patio, not to mention bird crap from both the adult sparrows and eventual babies, which was most irritating when packages were set directly on top of this mess.

After applying the gel, this customer saw the change immediately.

The day after I applied it, I noticed the sparrows visiting once again, but they would only fly near the corner they favored for nesting and then retreat. They stuck around for another day or two before leaving for another nesting site.

Another satisfied customer!

Bird-Plane collisions up 25%

A recent Associated Press discussed by the Riverfront Times report stated that nearly 10,000 bird strikes were reported last year, which is up considerably from the 7,507 reported in 2007. And that rise is only an average, with some states reporting an increase considerably higher than that.

In some states, such as Texas and Minnesota, the number of bird-plane collisions have doubled since 2005 thanks to an increase in air traffic along bird migratory routes.

…bird-plane collisions at Lambert-St. Louis International airport have increased nearly 300 percent over the past decade.

Hmmmm…maybe these airports need to try Bird-X’s new Airport Bird Control System.

The airport bird and wildlife control system is perfect for this time of year when birds and other animals start heading to their spring and summer spots.

This system is made up of three of Bird-X’s best sound devices and one sensory spray: the Megablaster, the Goosebuster, the Critterblaster and Goosechase. The combination of the four of these makes it almost impossible for birds to get comfortable anywhere around an airport.

Raising pigeons, wreaking havoc

An Illinois man likes to collect pigeons as pets. His neighbors, though, see them as more of a nuisance. (source: www.ajservicesllc.com)

Oh boy…an Aurora, IL man is bother his neighbors because of his hobby of collecting carrier and racing pigeons “to pass the time.” According to The Daily Herald, neighbors have begun to complain about the noise and the stench.

And the droppings.

Pigeon droppings are serious business. Birds carry over 60 diseases transmitted through their fecal matter. So to have a neighbor harbour up to 45 pigeons in and around his property can be dangerous. Unfortunately for nearby residents, there’s not much the city can do.

Seventh Ward Alderman Scheketa Hart-Burns was limited in what she could do to assist the unhappy neighbors. Until she help get a state law changed, municipalities were unable to regulate pigeons.

A recent amendment now allows the city to regulate but not prohibit the orderly keeping of the birds.

Luckily for the residents, a new ordinance has been passed that charges anyone housing such birds a fine for each offense. It’s a step in the right direction; human safety needs to be the top priority when it comes to having pigeons as pets. Their droppings are more than just annoying — they can be fatal.

Bird-X offers plenty of products that can get rid of pest pigeons, protecting you from possible infection. Check out our website or give us a call for a free consultation.

Propane cannons causing problems in British Columbia

A recent ruling against the use of propane cannons has Vancouver-area Canadians resting easier. (source: www.abbynews.com)

A Surrey, British Columbia resident recently complained about the bird control methods practiced at a nearby blueberry farm. The suburban Vancouver farm is using propane cannons to scare birds away from their crops. And, according to the Abbotsford News, more than one person has been displeased.

Bradner (B.C.) resident Don Gibbs is a member of Ban the Cannons, a group focusing on eliminating the use of propane cannons. The group formed in 2001 and has fought for a break from the ear sores. They took their cause to the courts that favored on their side on the use of the cannons at the blueberry farm. Their recent success gives them optimism for their long-term goal: banning the cannons completely.

“We were very excited to hear about the ruling. We have been fighting this thing for years,” said Gibbs. “We think the ruling has a lot of potential.”

The guidelines of the ruling calls for “a more sensible approach to cannon use, ordering farmers to monitor their fields and only use the cannons when a ’significant’ number of birds are present.” Though Gibbs is satisfied with the ruling, he still wants more.

Blueberry farms are like an all-you-can-eat buffet to birds. Acres of ground-dwelling berries and plenty of room to relax between meals is tempting. Shooting off cannons is successful in detering birds…for a while. Once the cannons stop, or once they get used to the repetitive noise, the birds will keep feasting on the crops.

The best solution to this problem is bird netting. Netting works well because it physically hinders the birds from picking away at crops. It also makes nesting, roosting and resting impossible.

Bird-X's standard bird net is one of three options in detering birds from farms and fields.

Bird-X carries three kinds of netting: standard, heavy duty and premium. Each of them are designed for specific areas, issues and birds for maximum effectiveness. And the good thing about netting is that it deters ALL pest animals. So deer, coyotes, squirels and anything else you’re concerned about will no longer be an issue.

Oregon park flooded with geese droppings

Tualatin, Ore. has decided to use swan decoys to control their growing geese issues. (source: www.tualatintimes.com)

A recent article in The Times, a Portland-area newspaper, talked about a goose problem at the Lake at the Commons in Tualatin, Oregon. According to Bob Martin, parks maintenance supervisor, the geese are producing “nearly five gallons of excrement a day, which mostly ends up on the pavement.”

The mess is problematic in various ways — smell, chemical, general sanitation, take your pick — so a parks staff person has to spend an hour a day cleaning it up. This costs quite a bit of money over time, Martin says, so the city has tried multiple methods of “goose abatement.”

They hit it right on the head - geese can become a pest, but dealing with their droppings is expensive and  can be down-right dangerous. Slip-and-fall incidents are not uncommo, and that can lead to lawsuits. Not to mention that acidic droppings can erode multiple surfaces and are filled with transferable diseases.

Their solution was two plastic swans anchored at the bottom of the lake shown above. Swans and geese are natural enemies, so having decoy swans in the lake does make sense.

A good addition to the swans would be a predator decoy; something like a fox or coyote replica works well because both of them present a valid danger. If the geese get to close, they may turn into dinner! Bird-X carries predator decoys, like our 3D coyote and the fox replica. The 3D coyote is life-like and in attack mode, creating the illusion of danger to the geese.

The fox replica is a menacing 2D decoy that covers up to one acre, perfect for small lakes and community parks. Luckily, both of these bird control options are low maintenance — set it up once and you’re done. No clean up. No reapplying a product. And no hassle.

Get in contact with one of our experts to order one today!