A retailer’s storefront was being defaced by a large amount of bird droppings. The retailer leased a space at one of the few exterior malls in the Chicago-land area. All retailers at this mall have a 15 foot overhang to protect customers during periods of rain or snow. This overhang created an ideal area for local birds to build nests in a protected environment with easy access. The bird droppings where a issue with all retailers that had storefront facing East. This particular client not only had illuminate logo letters but also large awnings that covered all the storefront windows.
Scope
The scope of work needed to execute this project included
Challenges
The constraints of this project included
Solutions
Summary
We understand the most important section of any retailer is the first 20 feet inside and outside the entrance doors. With this in mind we could not let this defacing continue, but the solution had to be humane and consistent with the existing storefront. By doing research and contacting experts in the field we arrived with a solution that was not only humane and brand consistent, but also green. To best services our clients, there are time when we need to ask and obtain the advice of experts and be open to their solutions and recommendations.
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Hi John,
Just wondering if the overhang is constructed of aluminum or if wood. Did the bird spikes work? I can remember that same situation years ago in downtown Dayton, Ohio. Now that is going way back. Hope you had success.
Presently we have the situation of birds nesting in ladder stand-offs attached to buildings and other structures at our site. I will suggest to our managers bird spikes. I will let you know of their decision. Thank you for the article.
Harold Barr
I have several buildings in the Milwaukee area, we tried all the different types of deterrents, they had no lasting impact, (don't bother contacting to sell me another). If seagulls are an issue and the roof needs replacement steer the building owner toward a non-ballasted roof, they don't even land on those types of roofs.
At the buildings with ballasted roofs we worked with the local DNR to get permits to remove eggs, nests and the like, but the nests are back in the same spot the next day with new eggs. The DNR in our state is good to work with, but working with them on this issue was turning into my second job.
A legal way to prevent them from even landing (at the building edge) is the spikes. We found a way to keep them from nesting is to string piano wire in a 3x3 foot grid overhead off the tops of RTU and elevator roofs, time consuming to install at first, but is easily maintained annually.
Most large birds hate to have anything touch their wings and will avoid the area that this happens. The piano wire is small enough that it can't be seen from other buildings. My department and contractors appreciated the time spent on this.
Gulls might be pretty to look at, at a distance, but have a nasty temper and are protected by the government, I watched as a service man ran wildly across the roof swatting at two gulls, not paying attention to where he was running (almost over the edge).
With the wire up even if a pair find a way thru and nest they are kept on the defensive by knowing they can’t attack and fly off to let repairs and maintenance work continue. The service men perform their task and are instructed where the nest is and to leave them be.
The stand off continues.