Bird-B-Gone, Inc.

Bird-B-Gone Mist Makes Buildings Magazine's Top 100 Products of 2009

2009-06-16T13:06:05-07:00

Mission Viejo, CA: Bird-B-Gone Mist, the latest ground-breaking product offered by Bird-B-Gone Inc., has been named one of Buildings Magazines’ TOP 100 Products of 2009! Products were chosen based on their “innovation, functionality, efficiency, and environmental friendliness”.

From the editors; “Ideal for hard-to-treat open spaces, rooftops, warehouses or buildings, Bird-B-Gone Mist is an advanced hazing system that emits a non-toxic grape extract into the air to deter birds, geese, and ducks.” The unit has a programmable LCD touch screen, and can be operated at a distance. Bird-B-Gone Mist is ideal for airfields, manufacturing plants, warehouses, rooftops, and any large open space where pest birds have become a problem.

Buildings Magazine covers development, management, construction, and operation for the building and facilities management industry.

Bird-B-Gone, Inc was founded in 1992, and offers a complete line of affordable, and effective bird control products made in the U.S.A. Products include netting, spikes, slope, electric track, and more. For additional information on Bird-B-Gone visit; www.birdbgone.com, or call 1-800-392-6915.

Bird-B-Gone Solar Powered Bird Repeller

2009-06-16T09:18:08-07:00

New Review from Craziest Gadgets.com:

Birds are awesome! I love birds! I had turducken for lunch. Birds are free, they can fly where they want. The world is theirs. But sometimes that freedom is too much for the human world and the birds go places where they shouldn’t. At that point the birds have become pest birds. Nobody wants a pest bird whether it’s a pigeon, seagull, sparrow, starling, turkey vulture, crow, or Canadian goose. There are many ways to get rid of pest birds but it can be tricky when the birds are dropping guano on your roof or other hard to reach spot (hard for you to reach, easy for our feathered friends).

The Bird-B-Gone Solar Powered Bird Repeller can help you with your bird problem. Unlike ultrasonic or other repellers, this is guaranteed to work in any conditions. The easy to mount repeller has a 5′ diameter continuously rotating arm like a helicopter. The arm rotates at 30RPMs and is powered by a solar panel. It also comes with 3 AA rechargeable batteries for nighttime use. Ideal for roofs, signs, billboards, parapet walls or any other flat surface where birds are an issue. Unless you have one of those jump-roping birds, there’s no way this can fail. Birds be gone!

http://craziestgadgets.com/2009/06/14/bird-b-gone-solar-powered-bird-repeller/

Controlling Pest Birds with Bird Spikes

2009-06-12T11:00:48-07:00

The name bird spikes conjures up notions of barbarians with studded weapons used against defenseless little birds, but that is just not true. Bird control spikes, also known as needle spikes or anti-roosting spikes are devices consisting of long, needle-like spikes used to control pest birds. The needles or spikes are usually all plastic or a plastic base with stainless steel spikes. They are harmless to pest birds, the spikes are not sharp, but create an unsuitable landing area for the birds so they move on to a more hospitable site. Bird spikes are designed to keep pest pigeons and larger birds off of building ledges, signs, parapet walls and other flat surfaces that pest birds like to roost and nest on.

Every year millions of dollars are spent cleaning up after and repairing the damage caused by pest birds such as pigeons, sea gulls, crows and other urban birds. Not only are these problems unsightly; pest birds and their feces can spread 60 plus transmittable diseases. Safety, sanitation and health hazards caused by bird droppings can pose serious liability risks, and left untreated, can lead to accidents and lawsuits. Bird feces, bird nests and debris can also create a bad public image with tenants and patrons. Individuals, companies and government agencies are tired of cleaning up bird feces or repairing the damage that is caused by pest birds and their droppings. Instead they have decided to invest in a Bird Control Solution, which is often as simple as installing bird spikes.

Bird spikes are made in one-foot or two-foot lengths, with different widths. The widths of the spikes are usually 3”, 5” and 8”. The width of the bird spike used is determined by the area to be covered. It is best if the entire surface area that birds are landing on is covered with bird spikes. Installation of bird spikes is often as easy as applying adhesive or screwing them down. Once installed bird spikes are virtually invisible, not taking away from architectural detail. If you look hard around any major city in the country, you will find bird spikes on building ledges, signs, light posts and other areas.

Bird spikes have been labeled as the “most effective type of bird deterrent”. They are also one of the most economical pest bird deterrents; requiring little to no maintenance once installed. Bird spikes made of rigid plastic and high-grade stainless steel can last over 10-years installed on a building and retain their effectiveness. Most are manufactured with U.V. protectors in the plastic so that sun and weather have little effect on the material. When purchasing bird spikes, be sure that they are constructed of rigid U.V. protected plastic like those available at Bird-B-Gone, Inc.

Ball Hits Bird During Baseball Game

2009-06-12T09:28:27-07:00

Indians win when ball hits bird

Shin-Soo Choo liner hits a low-flying gull and drops for a single, scoring the winning run in Cleveland's 4-3 victory over Kansas City.

June 12, 2009

Cleveland -- Coco Crisp thought he still had a chance to get to Shin-Soo Choo's ball. A bird beat him to it.

The ball flattened a low-flying gull in the 10th inning and rolled past Kansas City's center fielder and Mark DeRosa scored from second base without a throw to give the Cleveland Indians a 4-3 win over the Royals on Thursday night.

"Crazy things happen in this game," Crisp said after Shin-Soo Choo's liner over the second-base bag clipped the wing of one of hundreds of birds that buzz the ballpark. "It was hit so sharply, I felt like I had a chance," Crisp said. "You never know what the heck is going to happen."

The stunned bird flopped around for a few seconds before finally flying off.

-- associated press

posted from:

http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-al-game12-2009jun12,0,5878512.story

Bird net Solves Wrigley's Pest Bird Woes

2009-06-09T14:47:00-07:00

By: Meredith Walako / Bird-B-Gone, Inc.

For years the Chicago Cubs have had to share their ballpark with unwanted guests; pest birds. It seemed Wrigley Field was an ideal spot for birds, providing generous shelter, and an abundant food source.

Birds such as pigeons, seagulls, and starlings had been around the park for awhile, but it was complaints from the fans that prompted a real solution.

Gary Hubbard has worked in Maintenance Operations at Wrigley for the last four years.

Gary

’s seen all sorts of devices implemented to shoo the winged pests away. “We’ve used a sticky gel, Owls, Sound Devices, and nothing seemed to work” said Hubbard of past attempts.

Hubbard explained that during games “pigeons and starlings would sit in the rafters above the upper deck and descend upon the bleaches to feed once to fans left”. Some of the fans sitting in the upper deck were being bombarded with bird droppings.

After continuous complaints poured in, the maintenance department sought a solution that would take care of the problem once and for all.

That’s when they called Bird-B-Gone, a company in

California

who specializes in Bird Control. The sales team at Bird-B-Gone recommended Bird Net 2000, a heavy duty polyethylene net that would prevent birds from entering the rafter area altogether.

Bird-B-Gone sales staff explained the importance of altering the environment. If the rafters were blocked off, the birds would have no where to roost. If the roosting spot was taken away, the birds had no where to wait for food scraps. Changing the behavior of the pest birds, would be the most successful approach.

Bird Netting has been installed at Wrigley now for the past few years. Hubbard said that the Bird Net 2000 “has solved 9/10ths of the bird problem”, explaining that seagulls still land on the field during games.

In the past few years, Wrigley Field has seen many changes. In 2005 an expansion project saw the removal of some of the last remaining pieces of the original building. Earlier this year it was announced that Wrigley field may be changing hands, and getting a new name. As for a positive change, Wrigley has now finally taken care of the pest birds in the upper deck.

Hardware show offers ideas for Dad's day

2009-06-08T08:56:40-07:00

Glenn Haege: The Handyman

Every year, the National Hardware Show is the mecca for seeing the latest innovations in products for the home, and this year was no exception. Held in Las Vegas, this year's show featured close to 3,000 exhibitors and more than 27,000 members of the hardware industry.

When navigating this monstrous display of home and hardware products, I always look for some new, unique things that people can use around the home.

Here are a few that caught my eye:

• With the cost of energy going up, monitoring the electric power you use in your home is becoming more and more important. The Kill A Watt Power Strip, $99.95 from P3 International, (212) 346-7979, www.p3international.com, works like a standard surge protector, but it also enables you to assess the amount of power you are using for computer, television or other appliances you plug into the power strip. In addition, it provides protection against a drop in voltage or "brownout" conditions that can do serious damage, especially to electric motors. A digital display on the power strip enables you to check the quality of your power by monitoring voltage, line frequency, amperage and kilowatts per hour. You can also calculate the cumulative electrical expenses and forecast by week, month and year.

*Another monitoring product, the Power Kuff Monitor System, (302) 684-2008, www.powerkuff.com, $99.95, is a wireless device that straps onto the electric line that enters your home from your meter and allows you to monitor your power usage on a digital display. You can then transfer the data to your computer by using a free downloadable software program to graph your electric usage throughout the day. This is a great tool to determine how much power you are using when running various lights and appliances, and to learn how to manage your energy consumption.

• If you like to grill outdoors but hate to clean the grates, or are tired of having food fall into the grill, you should try the Grill-O-Sheet, (866) 654-0560, www.grillosheet.com. These reusable aluminum sheets have small holes that enable the food to cook properly without falling through the grates and can be cleaned in a dishwasher for reuse. They retail for $5.99 for a two-pack, and are available locally at Meijer and Lowe's.

• Lots of people would love to replace their Formica or laminate countertops with granite but don't want to spend the money. But with a new Granite Paint for countertops from Giani, (800) 650-5699, www.liquidstainlesssteel.com/giani, you can paint over your current countertops using a five-step process to give them the finished look of granite without the cost. The complete paint kit costs $39.95 and comes in either Sicilian Sand or Bombay Black colors.

• If you have ever tried to rake leaves or broom dirt and debris into a plastic garbage or leaf bag, it seems like you need three hands to do it. However, the SnapBagger, (877) 272-7627, www.snapbagger. com, $24.95, is a unique steel sheet-metal tool that makes the job easier by attaching to the opening of your garbage bag to keep it open, allowing you to scoop leaves into the bag or easily sweep dirt into it.

• Over the years, I have often referenced DryLok products from United Gilsonite Laboratories, (800) UGL-LABS, www.ugl.com, for many projects, and the latest DryLok product, Concrete Protector, is a product that provides clear weatherproof protection against deterioration caused by de-icing salt, gasoline, oil, weathering and the white, powdery, salt-like deposits visible on masonry. It can be used on concrete driveways and sidewalks, garage and basement floors, terrazzo, slate surfaces and block retaining walls.

• One of the most unique products I saw at the show was the Hawk from Bird-B-Gone, (800) 392-6915, www.birdbgone.com. The Bird-B-Gone Hawk is the first red-tailed hawk decoy on the market that helps keep both unwanted birds and rodents away from your house, deck or garden. Often, people would use owl decoys in their garden, but owls are nocturnal predators, and many birds and rodents don't have a fear of owls. Because hawks are natural predators that hunt during the day, birds and rodents identify the hawk as a dangerous predator and will leave the area. The decoy is made of heavy-duty plastic, and has hand painted life-like features. It will soon be available at lawn and garden and hardware stores nationwide, with a suggested retail price of $15.

These are just a few of the more unique items I've found lately. If you don't consider any of them good Father's Day gift material, next week I'll have my list of the presents that any dad would be proud to call his own.

If you would like to suggest a question for this column, e-mail askglenn@masterhandyman.com. If you want to talk to Glenn Haege personally, call his "Handyman"radio show on WJR at (866) ASK GLENN, (866) 275-4536 between noon and 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Original Post

Misting Systems… Pest Birds get Misty and Fly Away

2009-06-02T09:49:42-07:00

Let's face it, in some large areas—be they indoors or out—it's pretty tough to deter pest birds. This is where bird misting systems come in. The misters are ideal for use in large industrial or commercial garages, factories, airline hangars, courtyards, landfills, parking lots, or similar open spaces.

Bird misting systems can be effectively used to deter pest birds from loitering dangerously near aircraft flight paths. Following the recent crash landing of a US Airways Airbus in the Hudson River after bird strikes apparently disabled both engines, misting systems have caught the interest of airport managers and flight safety organizations throughout the country.

The good thing about these bird-hazing systems is that they are both humane and effective. They work by releasing an ultra fine mist into the air that pest birds can't see and just don't like. The mist is usually a chemical called methyl anthranilate, a grape extract that naturally occurs in concord grapes. Recognized by the FDA as a safe substance, methyl anthranilate is a food-grade material, often used to flavor grape soda and candies. The extract has been widely used for decades to safely deter a wide variety of pest birds including, sparrows, pigeons, starlings, crows, blackbirds and geese. Yet it's safe for people, pets, plants and birds.

Methyl anthranilate is a chemical substance that irritates the trigeminal nerve and mucous membranes of birds when it enters their eyes, nose or mouth. A flying bird will inhale the repellent up to 30 times faster than a bird at rest. The mist affects larger birds first. Smaller birds like sparrows will usually require longer periods of exposure.

Many misting systems have a central console to which you can attach a number of satellite misting “drop” units. In some systems, the control console can be placed as far away as one mile from the drop units. In better systems, each of these drop units can be controlled individually, and each unit can cover thousands of square feet. The central console will typically keep track of liquid levels and let you know when to refill the units.

If you opt for a programmable misting system, be sure to time the misting units to spray when pest birds are most active in the area you want to protect. In general, you will get best deterrent results if you set your spraying units to mist in the morning hours and in the evenings –typically dawn and dusk. And don't forget to consider the effects of prevailing winds to make sure the mist is being carried in the correct direction. Some mist systems will work in the rain, but will be ineffective as a deterrent. And misting units will not work below 32 degrees Fahrenheit because the methyl anthranilate will freeze.

Advanced bird misting systems will allow you to program the drops for a set time of day, or to go off throughout the day and or night. You can also control how long the mist sprays. The cycle time of each drop should be based on the type of facility you want to protect. The specific guidelines for use in warehouses, garages, loading docks, food processing plants, golf courses will vary depending on bird type and level of bird activity. Better systems will have individually adjustable nozzles on each unit to make sure you direct the deterrent chemical exactly where you want it to go. Up close, the mist looks like a fine vapor with its visibility increasing the farther the mist travels from the unit. The better systems will not leave a residue behind. For those concerned about chemical odors, methyl anthranilate, will only have a grape odor.

Deter Birds, Geese from Large Open Spaces With the Bird-B-Gone Mist!

2009-06-02T08:59:43-07:00

Bird-B-Gone Mist (Patent Pending) is an advanced hazing system that releases a fine mist into the air to deter pest birds from large open spaces. The unit distributes methyl anthranilate, a non-toxic grape extract proven to be effective in repelling pest birds. The extract irritates the birds’ trigeminal nerve and mucous membranes through entry in the eyes, nose or mouth. Birds do not like the sensation caused by the extract and will take flight from the area being treated. Bird-B-Gone mist can be used in places that are generally hard to treat like parks, golf courses, athletic fields, or any open spaces where birds are a problem.

Methyl anthranilate is a grape extract that naturally occurs in concord grapes, and is used for flavoring grape soda and candies. It is a food grade material, and recognized by the FDA as a safe substance. The extract has been widely used by pest control companies for safely and humanely deterring pest birds and geese for decades.

The Bird-B- Gone Mist is the only fogging unit which has an LCD touch screen for programming. From the control unit, you can attach up to 32 misters, controlling each one individually. Spray units can be set to go off simultaneously or at alternating times. The control panel will keep track of liquid levels, and will notify you when to refill the units.

Bird-B-Gone Mist can be programmed to fit any schedule, and can be operated from a distance. The nozzle design on the unit provides a verifiable “5 micron particle size”, meaning this system is the first fogging unit not to leave a residue behind. The nozzles are adjustable, letting you direct the mist toward problem areas.

Bird-B-Gone Mist is a revolutionary new tool in Bird Control, and the first to offer programmable components and a computerized touch screen. To learn more about this product or any other of Bird-B-Gone’s full line of Bird Control Products please contact us at: 1-800-392-6915, nobirds@birdbgone.com, or visit our website: www.birdbgone.com

Fowl Ball - Controlling Pest Birds in Ballparks

2009-02-12T09:52:23-08:00

Bird control in athletic stadiums

by Alex A. Kecskes

Several years ago, during Detroit Tigers home games at Comerica Park, 60 or so herring gulls descended on the stadium, dive bombing players and fans alike. Were they after the foot-long hot, dogs? The ketchup-drenched French fries? The roasted peanuts? No way. They were gobbling up the recently hatched army moths fluttering about the stadium lights.

While in Comercia’s case, it was moths that provided the snacks, more often, our feathered friends will settle for leftovers provided by fans. It’s a scenario oft repeated in open-air facilities around the country. A stadium’s geographic location can also contribute to the problem. In Comerica's case, it was their proximity to the Detroit River and several other large bodies of fresh water that accounted for the speedy invasion of gulls.

Throughout the country, annoying starlings, sparrows and pigeons have stadium operators on alert as they roost in rafters and other structures that provide shelter, protection from natural predators and, of course, snacks. Regrettably, unlike the moth-hungry gulls in Detroit, sparrows, starlings and pigeons will usually stay for the season. And the longer they entrench themselves, the more stubborn they become.

Aside from being an annoyance, birds cost businesses plenty every year. Bird droppings are unsightly and require cleanup and painting crews to remove or cover up the mess they leave behind. What’s worse, these droppings often cause extensive damage to building windows, roofs, skylights, rotating air vents, and air conditioning units. These birds can also carry and transmit any of 60 known transmittable diseases.

So what to do? Some resort to violence using BB guns. One Red Sox urban legend suggested that Boston Red Sox’s Ted Williams would bone up for hunting season by bringing his shotgun to Fenway Park and picking off a few pigeons. The problem with this solution is that it only treats the symptom. By killing off one species of birds, these draconian measures simply make room for other species to nest and breed.

Fortunately, there are more humane solutions to ridding stadiums of pesky birds. These proven methods are more effective that taking up arms against feathered invaders. Products designed to rid pest birds vary in price and scope and fall into the categories of bird deterrents and bird repellents. Among the more popular and effective deterrents for keeping birds out of stadiums are physical barriers, such as netting and needle strips or bird spikes.

Netting should be non-conductive, UV stabilized and both rot proof and waterproof. Bird spikes will keep birds from landing and nesting. Many come in short sections, so they’re easy to install and maintain. Another deterrent, specified most often by architects for pigeons and larger birds, is bird wire. It combines low visibility with low maintenance. Then there’s the electric solution—shock track systems. They give curious birds a mild electric shock, yet they cause no harm and are ideal for all varieties of winged pests. One other tactic for dispersing pest birds from open areas is the use of aerosol mists. Bird-B-Gone makes a system ideal for stadiums since it lets you attach up to 64 misters that can be individually controlled.

Cincinnati Reds VP of ballpark operations tried "everything" to chase pigeons and starlings from the club's Great American Ball Park, which opened in 2003. The problem was particularly noticeable at the stadium because most of its steel supports were painted white. After pigeons roosting in highway structures just outside the stadium were driven out, the birds settled in next door to the steel supports of the ballpark's highest seating level. Every day, crews were dispatched to steam-clean the park’s concourses and power-wash its white beams. Certain areas had to be monitored constantly to make sure pigeon droppings weren't infiltrating stadium concession areas, which could present safety code violations and cause fans to get sick.

The ballpark tried fake owls and wrapping the steel beams in textured metal. A fastball delivered by Randy Johnson in a 2001 spring training game obliterated a low-flying pigeon. But the only thing that worked was fine-mesh netting. The secret is to totally interrupt the flock’s roosting pattern.

The point is, short of a 100 mph fastball or a shotgun, there are far more effective deterrents and repellents to keep our fine-feathered friends out of athletic stadiums.

For more information on pest bird control systems, contact Bird-B-Gone, Inc. at 1-800-392-6915 or online at www.birdbgone.com. Bird-B-Gone has a national network of Authorized Installers that can help to control all of your pest bird problems.

Bird Control is an INVESTMENT!

2009-02-02T12:01:15-08:00

Bird Control? Why should we care about pest birds? It seems the latest issue concerning property management and building maintenance companies is Pest Birds. Every year millions of dollars are spent cleaning up after and repairing the damage caused by pest birds such as pigeons, sea gulls, crows and other urban birds. Not only are these problems unsightly; pest birds and their feces can spread 60 plus transmittable diseases. Safety, sanitation and health hazards caused by bird droppings can pose serious liability risks, and left untreated, can lead to accidents and lawsuits. Bird feces, bird nests and debris can also crate a bad public image with tenants and patrons.

Pest pigeons can cause thousands of dollars of damage a year to buildings, industrial facilities, equipment and machinery. Individuals, companies and government agencies are tired of spending thousands of dollars a year cleaning up bird feces or repairing the damage that is caused by the birds and their droppings. Instead they have decided to invest in an Integrated Bird Control Solution. An Integrated Solution is one that may use several types of bird control products to eliminate the problem birds and their mess. One product or solution will not always work to get rid of pest birds, especially on large buildings. It may take several different products and methods to get rid of the pest birds. Trapping and relocating may be done first to eliminate large infestations of pest birds; then a physical bird deterrent may be applied such as bird spikes, bird netting or electric track systems to keep the birds away. It is common to have more than one type of product installed on a building. Bird spikes may be used on ledges and bird netting used under overhangs. The money saved in cleanup costs and damage repairs is well worth the investment in bird control products. Most building managers find that they make up the cost within the first year after installation.

Urban Bird Control is becoming a big business in the United States. Many companies are specializing in bird exclusion installations. You can also contact a local pest control or animal control company and ask if they install bird control products. A custom integrated bird control program, once installed can save companies millions in clean-up and maintenance dollars each year. It will also enhance their public image, clean buildings make a much better impression on customers and patrons than do feces covered ones.

Need help to get rid of pest birds? Want to become a Bird-B-Gone Authorized Installer? Contact Bird-B-Gone, Inc. the experts in bird control solutions since 1992. Call today 1-800-392-6915 or visit us at http://www.birdbgone.com