Bird deterrent

[CAPP0]

I think that the subtext to this thread has been covered before but I can't recall the answer, so….

We have a significant infestation of pigeons/doves in our locale, and they do particularly love to sit atop our 6ft fence (which runs all around the garden) and deposit guano at an alarming and frankly unfeasible rate. In an attempt to counter this, I intend to affix strips of carpet gripper to the top of the fence.

The very rear of our fence abuts a cricket pitch, and a small overgrown weed patch which is used about once a year for 20-30 minutes (seriously) by the local school. Neither organisation, nor in fact anyone else, has any right of way, easement, wayleave or any other permission to access our garden.

Should anyone, for whatever nefarious reason, bearing in mind that as above they have no right or reason to do so, decide to try and climb over the fence uninvited whilst our GSD isn't looking, and discover to their cost that the aforementioned bird deterrents are incompatible with their hands, or any other part of their body, where do we stand legally?

Knowledgable, specific, reasoned responses welcome and requested and appreciated. Hysterical criticism, less so. Thanks.

[turbobloke]

There are properties around here with specific anti-climb devices that are similar to carpet grip, the fences have warning plates which I think tackles the legal side. Not having had pigeons along our own fence I can't say if this would work but there's a product called Cat Climb which I believe is less likely to damage skin due to materials used. As the name suggests it's primarily to discourage cats but some of the variations may work with pigeons. Search online for Fence Cat Climb and see what you think, good luck.

[talksthetorque]

From Amazon.
No Parental law suits.
Unless the birds are not the main priority here.

[turbobloke]

Looks good and clearly designed for the purpose.

Cat Climb is less visible but then some types may well be less effective also.

[Who me ?]

I regularly feed birds in my back garden and Pigeons are the ones that take flight at the slightest reason. Might be worth getting some children's wind toys, or fitting a wire a bit over the fence and fasten some plastic strips. Alternatively , get hold of a recording of Kestrel calls ( possibly even mating calls) and play them .

[CAPP0]

I'll search for cat climb, thanks. I'm sure the plastic spikes work ok but I did look and they're not only a lot more expensive than gripper, but also I already have some of that spare!

[CAPP0]

Cat climb deterrent looks good, and yes, probably slightly less likely to puncture!

[roofer]

Should you injure your friendly neighbourhood burglar by installation of any sharp devices, he will then be in a position to sue you, and more than likely win.

Put a model owl up, work a treat .

[sim72]

roofer said:

Should you injure your friendly neighbourhood burglar by installation of any sharp devices, he will then be in a position to sue you, and more than likely win.

Put a model owl up, work a treat .

I was about to say this. Our rear drive is under some (protected, very old) trees and we've had serious issues with wood pigeons crapping on any car parked there. We put a plastic sparrowhawk on top of the end of our garage and have had no problems since. It seemed a little cheaper than buying a Harris Hawk and having to feed it day-old chicks and fly it every day.

[CAPP0]

I tried a hawk, the pigeons stayed away for just over a week then came back and ignored it. Had it strung on fishing line the length of the garden and height of the house, and moved it frequently, but to no avail.

Does anyone know the legal reason why someone who is not authorised to be on your property and is thus probably intent on illegality, but injures themselves as a sole and direct result of their own actions, can then sue? If I forgot to pick up a rake and left it on my lawn overnight, and they did the comedy step/smack thing, how is that not their fault for having trespassed in the first place? Genuine question, be it rakes, gripper rod or glass embedded in a brick wall?

[paintman]

Use the long plastic spike device pictured in an earlier post to prevent them landing.
Spinny things, dummy owls, dummy birds of prey etc etc don't work. They simply get used to them & ignore them.
I reseeded part of our lawn & nothing worked - not even the treated seed. The cats did their best but the pigeons simply stayed at a safe distance & the cats eventually gave up.

[bingybongy]

We had a problem with pigeons nesting and roosting on a ledge running under our gutters. The spikes pictured were cheap, easily installed and 100% effective.
The pub around the corner installed a dummy owl, the flying rats now sit on its head.

[dacouch]

Marginally relevant to the topic but a very funny video...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=suYz5SHFHyA

[br d]

If it's a thinnish fence then wire would be better than spikes, plenty of suppliers of the wire and posts in the UK. A single run about 60mm above the fence (or a double with another run at about 90mm) will do the trick. You can run a couple of wires next to each other if the fence is wider but once you get passed a certain point then spikes become more effective.