Peter Cox rules the roost!
The Uxbridge branch of Peter Cox has completed a programme of bird netting to stop the infestation by pigeons of roof areas in a modern commercial office complex in West London.
Bird problems – we have it covered
The flat roofs of commercial offices – which are full of air conditioning plants, services trunking, flues, mobile phone masts and base stations etc – are an attractive proposition for pigeons offering them warmth, shelter from the elements and protection from predators.
These particular buildings had been suffering problems for some time with evidence of birds roosting under the sloping roofs on the front elevations.
At roof top level they were also nesting under the mechanical plant rooms, with their young (‘squabs’) tumbling inadvertently on occasions into dry risers. Into the bargain there was considerable unpleasant (and hazardous) fouling.
Peter Cox’s specialist bird surveyor undertook a detailed survey and then called in abseilers to carry out, under supervision, a close examination of the front elevation which managed to reveal where the birds were gaining access.
Before the pigeon fouling could be removed it was treated with a dedicated biocide, and a residual insecticide to deal with the insect problem. Once all the bulk fouling had been removed we finished off the cleaning with a power washer to remove any residues. Bird fouling, particularly when dry, can be highly hazardous to health so the technicians needed to be fully protected when carrying out this work.
Once the resident birds were removed, proofing was then installed using black UV stabilised 50mm netting stretched over the entire roof area on each building and enclosing all the plant.
4500 sq.m. of netting was specified and fixed with stainless steel cable, anchor fixings and hog rings.
The perfect solution to keeping birds on the move
Selecting the right system for each site and situation is the key to successful bird proofing. They must be designed for the specific species involved, but at the same time thought needs to be given to the buildings aesthetics and a balanced approach taken.
Sometimes a combination of deterrent systems is required. Peter Cox understands people’s perceptions of what bird proofing is reasonably required will be different, and will change as projects progress.
We are happy to work with clients, architects and conservation officers to help find bird deterrent solutions which are “best fit” for each building or project, are as aesthetically unobtrusive as possible and of course, are effective.
