We would always recommend installing the Defender® Pigeon Plex Extra Wide Stainless Steel using our own brand Defender® Silicone. This method has been tried and tested and offers the quickest and easiest install. In some circumstances, you can also use nails or screws for this bird spike.
Step 1 - Clean the Area: It is essential to thoroughly clean and dry the area before starting any installation. Scrape, brush and wipe down any bird droppings, dust, or debris. If the area is heavily soiled, you should dampen down the area with a disinfectant like
Germ Clear™ Bird Droppings Disinfectant Spray first. This helps prevent breathing in any harmful bacteria in the dust and softens the loose droppings and debris, making it easier to scrape off. The area can then be washed down with warm soapy water and allowed to dry for at least 24 hours. For a more in-depth guide on how to clean safely, please see our
How to safely clean bird droppings guide
Step 2 - Fixing Methods: For the Defender® Extra Wide Pigeon Plex, using fixing adhesive is recommended for most installations. Using fixing silicone is quick, easy, and will give a strong hold for many years. The spikes can also be installed using cable ties, screws, or nails using the small holes already along the base.
Step 3 - Silicone: You will need a caulking gun (not provided) to use our Defender® silicone. Use the caulking gun to squeeze a bead of silicone about 8 mm wide along the base of the spike. The bottom of the Defender® Extra Wide Stainless Steel Spike can then be pushed on to the surface you are protecting. If the surface is undulating or rough, you may need to use a little more silicone to ensure a secure hold.
Our Defender® Silicone will adhere to wood, metal, glass, ceramics, concrete, PVC, and many more surfaces. However, it is always important to check the suitability of surfaces for use with Defender® Silicone. For more information, please visit the product page
Defender® Bird Spike Fixing Silicone. If you are ever unsure, call us on
01626 835055 and we will happily advise.
If you do not have a caulking gun, we have them available to purchase
here
and we also have a handy guide on
How to use a Caulking Gun Guide if you haven't used one before.
Step 4 - Positioning: Placing the spike correctly is very important. The outer pins should overhang the leading edge slightly. Once the positioning is correct, push the spike down firmly and the silicone will ooze through the 10 cross-shaped holes and lock the spike into position. These holes can also be used for screws or nails too.
Step 5 - Full Protection: Repeat the process until the area is fully protected. Every effort should be made to spike all possible landing sites 2.5cm or greater. The Pigeon Plex spike has 4 snap points along the base where the user can break the strip into smaller sections with their fingers, allowing the pigeon deterrent spike to fit perfectly on any size ledge and installation.
Step 6 – Cavities and Raised Sections: Pigeons can be very possessive of their chosen nesting or roosting sites. If there is a cavity, hole, or raised section above the ledge being protected, every effort should be made to protect this too. If there is a hole behind the area, make sure this is blocked and no pigeons are trapped behind.