Bird Free Optical Gel - 15 Pack

Download Full Bird Free Optical Gel Installation Manual

Before Installation

Successful bird management is only as good as the products and procedures applied by the installer. Before installing Bird Free Optical gel some key factors must first be considered.

Correct identification of the pest bird species, and situations where relief from the birds is required. This will ensure correct methods are utilised, which may actually exclude the use of Bird Free Optical Gel. This may be due to factors where the gel may become covered or damaged either directly or indirectly, in turn causing the gel to become ineffective.

Where the site is considered favourable for Bird Free Optical Gel this manual will provide guidance in the correct installation procedures and should be followed as outlined below.

Please be aware, in Australia, Bird Free Optical Gel is only approved for use on feral pigeons, starlings and mynah birds.

After the site has been chosen, ensure a risk management and procedure plan has been put in place to cover factors such as working at heights, correct PPE and personnel management.

By following this installation manual correctly, it will ensure successful bird control utilizing Bird Free Optical Gel, and may provide options for situations which may not have been achieved before!

Preparing the Installation Site for Bird-Free Optical Gel

All nests within the vicinity MUST first be removed and area cleaned, even if these nests are not where the gels are to be installed. Failure to do so will compromise the efficacy of the installation.

The actual site where the birds are causing an issue, roosting and landing, may be used as a lookout area where the adjacent nests are being monitored, for this reason though site inspection must be carried out and all nesting sites identified and removed prior to installation.

If this is a nesting site follow the instructions below.

It is essential to clean the application site of all nests, faeces and other organic debris before Bird Free Optical Gel is applied. We strongly recommend using the Bird Free cleaning products to not only clean but also sanitise the area before application. Care must be taken when dealing with nesting sites as outlined below. Follow all instructions on the bottle used

Cleaning the Installation Site

Routine cleaning of droppings where there are no nests or major accumulation of faeces (e.g. from window sills) can be done, after wetting down with cleaner, with scrapers and wire brushes. Simple precautions to reduce direct contact with droppings, such as wearing disposable gloves, dust masks and clothes that can be washed, should be taken.

When cleaning long-standing nesting or night roosting sites where there is a major accumulation of faeces, full PPE, including masks, should be worn. Precautions should be taken to ensure that members of the public are not exposed to airborne dust or other debris. Surfaces should be wetted with appropriate Bird Free Cleaner where faeces are present to limit generation of airborne dust and aerosol mists during cleaning. If a pressure washer is used, dust and aerosol control measures, such as containing the area with plastic sheeting, should be taken, alternatively the wetted faeces and debris can be removed with a shovel. The wet material should be collected in heavy-duty plastic bags, or some other type of secure container, and discarded with rubbish.

Bird faeces, especially pigeon, contain many harmful pathogens that can lead to serious heath issues if inhaled or exposed to contact. Wash your hands and clean any exposed skin before eating, drinking or putting your hands near your mouth.

Fixing the Dishes of Optical Gel

Remove covers from dishes and affix dishes to dry surfaces, in accordance with the spacing guidelines below, with silicone or other removable adhesive. For metal surfaces the use of magnetic dishes is recommended for ease and efficient installation. The gels can be fixed to most other irregular surfaces, such as pipework and thin signs with the aid of Bird Free clips and bases.

Spacing of optical gel dishes for feral pigeons:

General guidelines to the spacing of dishes for feral pigeons are as follows (all spacings are centre to centre):

• Low pressure (day roosts): 250mm
• Medium pressure (night roosts): 200mm
• High pressure (nesting sites): 150mm

Low-Pressure Example: To stop pigeons from sitting on the front of a ledge (perhaps one overlooking a food source) and fouling below, one row of dishes should be fitted with silicone at 250mm centres after proper cleaning. If the birds are sitting on the leading edge the dishes can be fitted 20mm behind the leading edge so that they are invisible from below. Dishes should be fitted end to end into corners.

If the ledge is more than 250mm deep, and there is nesting/night roosting in the immediate vicinity of the ledge, two rows of dishes should be applied. Dishes should always be fitted right into the corners of the ledge as birds favour the sheltered corners, and installed in a staggered pattern.

High-Pressure Example: Where nests are removed the dishes should be fixed at no more than 150mm centres, this is for all bird species. Skimping on the number of dishes is a false economy. If the birds are not prevented from returning to nests the whole job will be compromised. Be aware that stubborn birds may try to return to the nesting site for the first few days, follow-up visits may be required and some adjustments to installation. Be patient and inform the client this is normal, after a few days the birds will give up and move on.

Inaccessible sites: With any bird control treatment it is essential to prevent the birds from returning to their nesting sites. The nesting site itself must be treated. Applying Bird Free Optical Gel around the periphery of a nesting site which has not been treated will not deter birds from returning to untreated nests. If the nesting site is inaccessible it will need to be blocked off.

Summary

Bird Free Optical Gel is a unique bird-repellent product that may solve problems where traditional methods may not have worked or are unsightly. In conjunction with this manual, it is important to assess the site, think about how to utilise the gels and correctly inform the client of what is expected from the installation.

Providing the installer understands how the product works, what is to be expected from the gel and how the gel is to be correctly installed, Bird Free Optical Gel can be a powerful tool for any bird management situation.