Keep Problem Birds Off HVAC Units using Bird Deterrents

 

 

                     Keep Problem Birds Off HVAC Units using Bird Deterrents

Bird Boat Sweep/Daddi long legs

 

Commercial rooftop HVAC units are very attractive to pest birds because they offer excellent viewing perches to spot food and predators.  They also offer protected areas and warmth which is desirable for nesting.  Unfortunately, the birds nesting materials and droppings can cause a number of problems with HVAC units in particular.   The nesting materials and droppings can work their way into the intake vents, blocking fresh airflow.  Not only can this lead to costly maintenance problems, but bird droppings and nesting materials often contain vectors and bacteria that can carry serious diseases such as histoplasmosis, encephalitis, meningitis and more.  If the droppings and their bacteria become airborne spores, they can be strewn throughout the air duct system and create a ‘sick’ building where many people develop health issues.  Nesting materials in other parts of the HVAC unit can create mechanical issues and, in some instances, start fires.  The bird droppings are also acidic and corrosive so if they are left on the HVAC units or any of the surrounding pipes, etc., it can require serious repairs. And HVAC pits can offer a sheltered areas for hundreds of birds which can cause some real issues quickly.

If the problem birds are larger birds like pigeons, gulls or crows and they are not nesting, then you can use Bird Spikes to get rid of their perching spots.  Simply glue or screw down the U.V. resistant polycarbonate base and the blunt tipped, stainless-steel spikes with deter the birds from landing on their preferred spots.

If there are some smaller birds in the mix like sparrows or starlings, or if the pigeons are nesting, then you need to use a more robust bird control product like Bird-Shock Flex Track.  This flexible electric track bird deterrent gives the birds a ‘static electric’ like shock when they come in contact with the track.  Bird Shock is made from U.V. stabilized PVC and stainless steel and can be glued to any surface.  It is a highly durable product that can conform to most architectural details and will protect the area where it is installed for years.

Another option is to utilize Bird Slide, a low-profile, durable bird deterrent that completely prevents birds of any species from landing on ledges.  It creates a 45-degree angle on the ledge so the birds cannot get a grip on it and they ‘slide’ off.  This could be combined with Bird-Shock or Bird Spikes in the more open areas as an effective one-two punch in preventing the birds from accessing areas.

Of course, to completely protect large HVAC pits and the entire rooftop area, you can deny all birds species access by using ¾ inch Bird Net.  Bird Net is long-lasting, humane and nearly invisible when installed. It is flame resistant, will not rot or absorb water and is highly resistant to U.V. rays.  Black Bird Net comes with a ten-year warranty and it offers complete exclusion from all bird species.  Of course access will be needed for maintenance crews and this can be set up but installing special Bird Net Zippers to create areas that can be opened up wherever needed.

A complimentary bird deterrent that has shown to be very effective in deterring all bird species is Bird Free Optical Repellent Gel.  This gel is different from other bird gels which can create a real mess that require more cleanup than the bird droppings themselves.  The Bird Free Optical Repellent Gel comes in low profile, pre-loaded 8 mm high dishes of a special biologic gel that hit multiple senses of the birds. A special combination of smells that birds dislike is loaded into the gel as well as an optical sensory element that appears like a “wall of flames” to the birds with their ability to see in the ultraviolet space.  The Bird Free gel dishes provide up to two years of protection and the gel is oil based so it resists rain and snow and is not affected by extreme temperatures. Space the dishes about a foot apart along the pipe or railing to create a full ‘wall of fire” effect for the problem birds, driving them away to a safer location.

 

If you have pest bird problems on your HVAC units and are unsure which would be the best bird deterrent to use feel free to call us at 855-741-3222 or email us at mark@birdsgottago.com. We can assist you with determining the right product(s) to order and/or recommend an expert local installer if your maintenance team needs on site guidance.