Outdoor Pest Control - Pigeon spikes

i have a problem with pigeons roosting at the edge of my roof. at certain times of day, a dozen or so sit up there in the area from peak to perhaps 10 feet down the sides. (This is the gable end of the house, so it's a straight shot down). it's particularly annoying because it's right above my deck ... which they are using for target practice.

i'm considering installing some of those "pigeon spikes" on the roof, right at the edge. any thoughts on if this will be effective? they seem to like being right on the edge. even if they sit further into the roof, at least they won't crap on my deck.

also, any idea how these spikes are attached? i've haven't found or ordered any yet. nail them into the sheathing w/ roofing nails then seal it with tar?

any thoughts will be appreciated.

I don't know how the bird spikes are attached, but I would think how you attach them depends on what you are attaching them to. I would think some type of heavy duty staple would be used. I've read that these spikes are very effective.

Newt

I found this site that will give you an idea what is out there.
Pigeon Spikes, Bird Spikes, Pigeon Deterrent, Get Rid of Pigeons, Pigeon Problems (http://www.deterapigeon.com/)

thanks, all. the pigeons are actually sitting on the roof, on the last "column" of shingles that are right next to the gable end of the house. so i would be putting the spikes on the shingles, or perhaps attaching the spike to a piece of PT lumber and nailing that down.

i emailed that company on the link suggested earlier to see what they recommend. their installation instructions use adhesive which is appropriate for attaching to flat surface like a ledge or sill. wouldn't work for shingles, i reckon. i'll let you know what they say.

You might also look into a sound deterrent. If you have a ridge vent, you might be able to install the ultrasonic device in the attic and direct the sound out the vent.

my 2 cents
Bud

Sjmurphy, have you looked into any of these products?
http://forum.doityourself.com/outdoor-pest-control/385875-pigeon-spikes.html

Newt

I don't know if this is any help, but. We have problems with seagulls setting on the top rail of fences, from post to post. These are pipe rails. There are a few that sit on the roofs. I have seen them use a peace of 50lbs test fishing line. It is stretched from post to post on the fence, with it pulled very tight. When the birds try to land on it, they cant get there footing, and fly off. It works on the roofs also.


Travis

well, i installed the spikes that sit on the edge of the roof gable. Defender spikes from Deterapigeon. Don't want to jinx things, but after a couple months, they have worked like a charm. the pigeons apparently pick someone else's roof if they can't perch right on the sunny edge.

it was not easy installing the spikes, mainly because i needed to get a ladder up to the peak then reach backward over the gable-end overhang. [couldn't do it from the roof itself since its a steep, high gambrel and beyond my courage]. I put roofing tar on the bottom of the spike sections [the repair stuff, via a caulking gun] then nailed them down w/ box nails. so far so good.