Federally protected Woodpeckers have been
thorns in the utility industries' back for years due to the inordinate amount of
damage they cause to utility poles. This damage is not only unsightly but it
creates a safety hazard for the linesmen who have to climb these weakened
structures. Woodpeckers like to peck into utility poles for a variety of
reasons. A common theory is that
communication poles offer a great vantage point to view the surrounding areas
for available food or potential predators. Woodpeckers use utility poles for
drumming - a signal to attract a mate or to establish territory. However, the
primary cause of damage is to create a nesting or food storage cavity. The
resulting damage is often so severe that utility workers cannot make needed repairs.
Moreover, left unchecked the pole will either fall down or be so deteriorated
that it would be impossible to climb.
Poles
damaged by woodpeckers are also responsible for power failures, creating electrical
power outages.
All are major problems for the utility
companies which results in millions of dollars in damage and ongoing safety
risks.
Failed Bird Control methods -
Over the years a number of
audio & visual bird deterrents have been used unsuccessfully to control
woodpeckers from damaging utility poles
- owl and snake effigy's, scare balloons, single speaker non specific
audio or worse ultrasonic systems. Birds
typically do not respond to both of these systems and quickly habituate to
these devices and return to their previous activities.
Prevent woodpecker damage to Utility
poles
State of the art bird control visual systems are now available with increased success. The Firefly BirdFlight Diverter is currently in use worldwide to deter birds from transmission &
distribution power lines, cell & MET towers. The Holographic Owl is considered the primary deterrent for residential use against acorn, downy
and other woodpecker species. This bird control product moves in the slightest breeze and
have color properties that scientifically affect avian vision. A stationary called the Woodpecker Decoy is a life-size double-sided image of the Pileated
Woodpecker has been used successfully on power poles to warn encroaching birds
that the pole is ' occupied territory'. The new Gull-Scare Cat Decoy can also be mounted facing down to scare off woodpeckers with the threat of a predator in the area.
New woodpecker & pest bird
deterrent is the BirdFire Optical Gel, which affects all pest bird
species by triggering multiple sensory responses. First, the material emits a
UV light to make it appear as a flame to approaching birds. Stick the
pre-loaded dishes near and around the woodpecker problem areas!
There are now non toxic repellents that have proven to be both significantly effective and
environmentally friendly. The Woodpecker Paint & Stain Additive have a 25 year history for residential use. Both products
would have a mitigating effect against woodpecker damage. A new Woodpecker control product is the Optical Bird Gel which is installed in dishes and can be glued around the problem area.
Contact us at mark@birdsgottago.com with
details about your bird problem and we can work with you to
determine the best bird control products to deter the birds from
your property. 1-855-741-3222
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