When we talk about the problems that residents in Singapore face, we usually hear about the parking situation, complaints about PMD riders, and the cost of living. However, there is one common issue that flies under the radar, but that can cost tens of thousands of dollars to fix.
And that issue is — birds.
Allow us to explain.
Table of Contents
Throughout the course of this article, you will learn the following things:
- Why are birds considered a pest in Singapore?
- An affordable solution: bird spikes
- How effective are bird spikes at keeping birds away?
- Are bird spikes legal in Singapore?
- Frequently Asked Questions
So then, let’s get right into it.
Why are birds considered a pest in Singapore?
Birds are a welcome sight in most other places in the world, but in the city-state of Singapore, they cause a lot of problems. Three species in particular, have been identified by the government as problematic: Javan Mynas, House Crows, and pigeons.
These three have become pests because their populations are huge, and being intelligent, they’ve successfully adapted their behaviour to urban environments.
Some common (and expensive) problems caused by birds in Singapore are:
- Property Damage: Their acidic droppings corrode building materials and vehicles. Then, they nest in air-conditioning units and roof spaces, causing mechanical failures. Also, being social, their large roosting colonies damage trees and vegetation.
- Public Health Concerns: Bird droppings can spread 60+ diseases like cryptococcosis and salmonella. Nesting materials block drainage systems, leading to water pooling and mosquito breeding. Also, food scraps from bird feeding attract rodents and other pests which compounds the problem.
- Economic Impact: Cleaning and maintenance costs for buildings and public spaces skyrockets because of these birds. They cause damage to crops and are a particular problem at food hawker areas. The NEA had to install nylon-coated metal wire at some hawker centres, alongside bird spikes and netting last year. The NEA doubles up as the authority on pest control in Singapore
- Noise Pollution: Large colonies, especially of Mynas, create significant noise disturbance. Their early morning calls affect residents’ quality of life, sullying efforts to sleep.
Once a flock of birds has taken up residence near you, it’s very expensive and very time-consuming to have them removed.
And to give you an idea of how expensive, here’s what one resident asked in an online forum:
“We have multiple pigeon nests on our roof and a considerable amount of bird poop. Just was quoted $4000 for flock removal over 2 weeks, deep cleaning and exclusion installation including netting and 200 repellent discs that is mounted on the tile. Is this a good price? I am not able to do the install myself due to medical limitations”.
And the topmost reply:
“This seems like a speciality job so expect it to be expensive. Whatever you do, don’t cheap out on the deep clean. Bird s**t can be very dangerous to touch or inhale.”
The general consensus was that $4,000 – 5,000 is perfectly reasonable for this job. That’s why preventive care is a thousand times better than cure.
For instance, feeding pigeons is illegal in Singapore and attracts a 10,000 SGD fine. The National Parks Board also published this PDF on the problems that pigeons cause.
So, overall, birds are quite a nuisance to infrastructure and people in Singapore. It’s no wonder then, that people are looking for preventive ways to keep birds off their commercial as well as private property.
An affordable solution: bird spikes
Bird spikes are one of the most cost-effective and humane solutions to Singapore’s bird problems. These simple devices consist of rows of thin, blunt prongs made from either stainless steel or UV-resistant plastic.
Here are the main benefits of bird spikes in Singapore when compared to other harmful methods like bird proof repellent gel:
- Zero harm to birds
- Silent operation (unlike sonic deterrents)
- Works 24/7 without electricity
- Weather-resistant
- Nearly invisible from ground level
- Can be installed on almost any surface
As a bonus, the installation is surprisingly quick and straightforward. Most homeowners can install them themselves in just a few hours using adhesive or screws, and they last quite long.
Once installed, they’re virtually maintenance-free and can last up to 10 years for stainless steel versions, or 5-7 years for plastic ones.
However, if you don’t want to install it yourself, there is no shortage of technicians who’ll come and install the spikes for you. Simply run a google search for “bird spike installation service near me”, and you’re off to the races.
Or, you could get a free quote from us by filling out this form. We use only government approved materials and methods, and will give you a free retreatment during the warranty period.
A typical installation costs between $5-15 per foot, which is a lot cheaper than the $5,000 to $10,000 it’ll cost to remove the bird menace once it takes hold.
But, exactly how effective are these bird spikes?
How effective are bird spikes at keeping birds away?
Bird spikes are very effective, and super-convenient as well.
You can easily mount bird repellent spikes on ledges, beams, and other surfaces where birds like to perch.
Because they are so thin and unobstructive, they also make a great form of bird control for solar panels. And, contrary to the name, bird spikes don’t harm the birds.
Instead, they make it physically impossible for them to land and roost.
In fact, they’re so reliable that major Singapore landmarks like the MRT stations and numerous hawker centres use them as their primary bird deterrent.
While no solution is 100% perfect, bird spikes excel at protecting specific areas like ledges, air-con units, and beams. The key is proper installation – spikes must cover the entire surface where birds land, as these clever creatures will find any gap larger than 15cm to perch on.
The only downside? They won’t stop birds from flying in open areas, but for protected surfaces, they’re one of the most reliable solutions available.
And with that, we come to the end of this article on bird spikes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can bird spikes damage my roof or building structure?
No, when properly installed, bird spikes cause no structural damage. They’re typically mounted using silicon adhesive or small screws, and the lightweight design means they won’t affect your building’s integrity
Are bird spikes legal for private properties in Singapore?
Yes, bird spikes are perfectly legal to install on private properties. In fact, the National Environmental Agency of Singapore also says in this PDF that they themselves also use bird spikes as well as anti-bird netting as control measures.
