Bird deterrents used on buildings, such as spikes and netting, must be installed by a professional to protect both wild birds and property, a national trade body has said.

British Pest Control Association (BPCA), is urging the owners of homes, businesses and public buildings to ensure they choose a trained and qualified professional to offer advice and install bird-proofing measures. Bird spikes and nets are a non-lethal solution and – when deployed properly – should cause no harm to any wild bird.

Dee Ward-Thompson is Head of Technical and Membership at BPCA. She said:

“All wild birds, their eggs and their nests are protected by law, so we strongly recommend that you don’t try to control or manage birds yourself. Bird proofing is completely harmless and is designed to deter birds from nesting and this in turn, moves birds on to an area where they aren’t in conflict with people. We’ve heard some disturbing reports of birds being caught in improperly installed nets and even impaled on dangerous spikes".

This is completely avoidable when nets and spike are properly installed and maintained by a professional. A trained and qualified professional will create an integrated avian pest management solution that protects the birds – and this will include working with premises owners to identify the root of the problem, such as openings allowing access to a nesting site, or waste disposal systems that may offer a food source to birds.