I am having problems keeping the pigeons (and other birds) out of my hangar. I have tried the fake owls, fake snakes, even flashing lights. I have had two national pest-control companies give offers for “new” methods. I have called Bird-X and they are sending literature for their Sonic Blaster PRO and some other systems.
Does anyone have FIRST HAND knowledge of these systems? If you do, what has been your experience(s)?
First, welcome to FA.
Second, I’ve had quite a bit of experience in the past controlling animal encroachment in buildings and work sites. Unless things have changed radically with the technology in the last 5 years or so the ultrasonic devices don’t do anything other than probably giving you and anyone else in the hangar a headache.
Anti-roost measures on all flat surfaces in the hangar are the first steps you need to take in order to prevent the flying rats from lighting and getting comfortable, install nylon or wire pigeon spikes everywhere you see them lighting. The next step you need to take is to eradicate the present inhabitants. How are you with a B-B gun?
Fine-mesh nylon fencing enclosing all potential roosting and lighting areas are another effective device that can be used to deny access to these areas. At the museum we’ve enclosed all of our roof girders and stringers in netting and have seen an enormous reduction in bird infestation and, more importantly, bird droppings.
Once you get a handle on the visitors, you can start to clean up their leavings. Do NOT sweep their droppings without wetting them and wearing some form of respiratory protection, even if only a dust mask.
Good luck.
Thanks for the tips. I have been discussing this with the guys @ work. There is a serious bird problem there as well. I offered them the research that I have done and they seem to like the idea of a sonic system. This would be in an industrial setting. They also are looking into a lazer system–that I can’t afford personally–to install to erradicated the current flock and once removed, do some major netting.
Thanks for the feed back JHEM and the welcome. F.W.T.
I’m with JHEM, a BB Gun and a lot of patience worked wonders in the barn I forced them from. You also need to find the source of where they are entering and patch it up. If it is an open air hangar, good luck, have patience.
I have used a 22 pistol with rat shot. It won’t damage the hangar walls or ceilings. Our hangars are insulated and it would damage that either.
A BB gun makes pigeons laugh.
I dreamed of having that resource available to me at the museum. Unfortunately the State has taken over the airport we’re located at and frown on firearms being on the property, let alone being used. Hell, it’s so bad here in Jersey that you need a police issued gun permit to even buy a BB gun!
Depends on the BB gun, I’m not referring to a Red Ryder. Pellet guns are certainly more effective, but the ones I use will definitely damage the structure you’re attempting to protect when you miss.
This for pigeons, throttling available via the number of pumps and very accurate, and if a pigeon laughs at it it’s because he’s dying laughing:
A Powerline 1000 for larger intruders, laser-like accuracy, 1000 FPS:
Then there’s the local fauna that like to inhabit our outside exhibits, like raccoons, possums, feral cats, etc. Sometimes the birds are the least of our problems.
You’ll shoot your eye out, kid!
Taste like chicken!
No, tastes like squab!
Chicken tastes like chicken!
How you know what you eat when eat Orange Chicken? No one complain, want seconds.
Good eats in FlyingTwin hangar. Just like Chinese Restraunt but no fortune cookie.
Pigeons are often tough and best casseroled unless you have a very young bird which can be roasted or grilled.
Braised Pigeons in Chocolate Sauce
Casserole of Pigeons with Apples and C…
Casseroled Pigeons
Kentish Pigeons in A Pot with Plums
Pigeon and Apricot Stir fry
Pigeon Casserole in Red Wine Sauce
Pigeon Cream Soup
Pigeon or Squab and Vegetable Soup
Pigeon Pie
Pigeon with Peas
Pigeon with Prunes
Pigeons on a Bed of Rice
Pigeons with Bulgar Wheat Stuffing
Pigeons with Chicory
Wood Pigeons in Beer
I’m having a Forrest Gump flashback…
General Tso’s Pigeon.
May I remind you that these are RATS WITH WINGS!!! 
In any case, the gun option is out due to owner’s rules (the last guy who tried got found out and lost his spot) and in the case of work, company policy.
I have looked into baiting, but local pest-control freaks about secondary kill.
HKC–got a restaraunt? need some cheap menu items? After visiting parts of the world, what I eat doesn’t bother me, just who did the cooking! 
May I remind you that these are RATS WITH WINGS!!!
In any case, the gun option is out due to owner’s rules (the last guy who tried got found out and lost his spot) and in the case of work, company policy.
I have looked into bait and poison, but local pest-control freaks about secondary kill.
HKC–got a restaraunt? need some cheap menu items? After visiting parts of the world, what I eat doesn’t bother me, just who did the cooking!
Then there’s only one obvious response.
Cats with wings!
Or, you could hire one of my Jersey cats, comes complete with plausible deniability!
(Oh, and the laser solution? Works great until the pigeons turn around! Take your laser pointer into the hangar, target a few of the inhabitants and see how long it takes them to ignore the beam.)
Now that’s classic! 
Although the anti-gunners wouldn’t think that that kittay was very cute…
[quote=“azav8r”]
What? You no likah Guido? You tell his Papa:
Whattaya mean “anti-gunners”? Whoah no likah guns, you makah joke, eh?
Eh… Guns are for woosies. Just whack’em in the fookin knees…
Personally, pidgeons make for great target practice.
And I’ll keep my guns/weapons thank you very nice…
Was talking with another pilot about birds as I received an email from a pilot at my airport advising me a couple of blue jays were seen perched on my prop. Next preflight will be extra diligent for nests. They do build them quick as last year, in less then 3 days, I came back to a nest built in the engine area (clue was straw underneath the plane)
Anyhow, his solution to birds for his plane in a hangar…
Put cheap digital alarm clock right in side the cowl scoop set alarms for
every other hour…freaks the birds out
Seems like a good idea to me. I can see it now, on preflight checklist… Remove alarm clock.