Case Studies - Vermikil

Football Stadium in London

Problem

Feral pigeons (Columba livia) were causing issues on site due to periodic seeding of the playing surface and foraging in the stands. This then attracted birds to roost in the stand canopy and nest on girders resulting in large amounts of bird guano deposited onto the seats and walkways below. This presented a severe public health risk to spectators, contractors, staff and other visitors to the area as well as looking unsightly.

Solution

Our fully trained London based bird proofing team carried out a thorough clean and disinfection of the area by first applying a biocide and damping down to the affected surfaces to minimise any airborne spore activity. The bird net installation took a number of weeks to net the ceiling canopy of the main stand and the undercroft areas below. This involved installing approximately 3,500 square metres of netting to ensure that all girder structures, ledges to any cladding, etc. were protected to deny birds gaining access. Access clips were installed into the net to facilitate access to various lights, etc. where possible. Stainless steel straining wires were run through a series of stainless steel eyebolts and cladding fixings, and tensioned to provide a neat taut finish. Black 50mm mesh size polyethylene netting was then secured onto these wires in sections using stainless steel hog rings.

Housing Association in Cambridgeshire

Problem

Feral pigeons (Columba livia) were roosting on high level satellite dish brackets, gutters, vents and ledges on several buildings on two sites. This was resulting in high levels of bird guano accumulating on the balconies and entrance ways below. This presented a real risk of potential disease transmission from contact with harmful pathogens as well as risks of secondary pest activity associated with insects.

Solution

A thorough clean and disinfection of the area was first carried out by applying a biocide and damping down to the affected surfaces to minimise any airborne spore activity. Due to the height of the buildings a specialist vehicle mounted elevated platform had to be brought to site, which allowed our fully trained bird proofing team to install stainless steel anti-perching spikes to the various perching areas. These were securely fixed into position using gutter clips or a high tack adhesive and work on the principle of preventing birds to alight onto the proofed area unharmed. This can be an effective proofing method for the majority of flat surfaces.

High profile heritage building and retail shopping venue in Central London

Problem

Feral pigeons (Columba livia) were roosting on ledges overlooking courtyards that included food establishments and outside dining areas. This was causing a persistent nuisance with birds taking advantage and feeding from any dropped food as well as fouling down below on the walkways and the passing public.

Solution

Our fully trained bird proofing and cleaning team carried out a bird proofing installation to protect the various ledges within the courtyard, while at the same time ensuring that it complemented the aesthetics of the building. We decided to install stainless steel posts with a series of stainless steel tensioned sprung wires to prevent birds gaining access onto the ledges. These were secured onto the existing railings with clamps, and due to the depth of the ledges and to ensure their discretion, these were fabricated and welded to form the clamp and post and sprayed to the colour code of the surrounding metal work. This particular system is not suitable for high levels of activity, such as heavy roosting or nesting areas, however this installation has worked well in this particular situation.

Major shopping centre in Essex

Problem

Feral pigeons (Columba livia) were roosting on the underside of a canopy on various high level pipes and cable trays resulting in accumulation of large amounts of guano on the floor areas. Birds were nesting in air extraction units and within the inner lip of the canopy, which increased the resident population. This caused a severe risk to health risk to contractors, staff and visitors to the area as well as sending out a bad image.

Solution

Our fully trained bird proofing and cleaning team carried out a thorough clean and disinfection of the area by first applying a biocide and damping down to the affected surfaces to minimise any airborne spore activity. Cleaning took two days to complete and was undertaken in conjunction of the bird net installation to prevent risks of further contamination. The area required a net installation of approximately 1,500 square metres of canopy and was configured to protect all pipes and cable trays and was installed to the top of the lighting to enable access for maintenance purposes while denying birds access to the top of each light. Access clips were installed into the net to facilitate access to various switches, etc. Stainless steel straining wires were run through a series of stainless steel eyebolts and cladding fixings, and tensioned to provide a neat taut finish. Black 50mm mesh size polyethylene netting was then secured onto these wires in sections using stainless steel hog rings.

Major shopping centre in Cambridge

Problem

Feral pigeons (Columba livia) were roosting on the various ledges and smoke vents on a roof atrium as well as nesting underneath adjacent steps on the roof walkways. This entrenched activity caused a severe health risk with the accumulation of bird guano deposits, causing potential slip hazards and public health risks associated with pathogens present in bird fouling. The environmental conditions prevented contractors from working in the area.

Solution

Our fully trained bird proofing and cleaning team carried out a thorough clean and disinfection of the area, using a biocide to neutralise any dangerous pathogens. Our recommendations were to install 50mm black polyethylene UV stabilised netting to totally enclose the area and deny birds access. This was held into position using a combination of stainless steel eyebolts and slate brackets with the net secured to a stainless steel straining wire to provide a neat taut box shaped finish. The net itself could not be secured to the roof covering as any penetration would cause water ingress, stainless steel weld mesh panels were installed with a rubber matting placed underneath to protect the roof surface. Access into the area was provided by inserting zips into the net at two ends.

Heritage site and tourist attraction in the West End of London

Problem

Feral pigeons (Columba livia) were roosting and nesting amongst ducting and raised flooring on the roof of the building. This was causing huge issues with guano deposits and other detritus building up and blocking drain gullies. The roof area also included plant that required planned maintenance inspections from contractors, which presented slip hazards and hazards from pathogens associated with bird fouling and secondary pest activity from insects.

Solution

Our fully trained abseiling team cleaned the roof of nesting material, guano deposits and other detritus that had accumulated, the area was then treated with a biocide to neutralise any pathogens. The net installation was then installed to protect the sections of roof that had plant and designated walkways installed. This was supported by galvanised tubular pole sections to raise the net to create a ‘box’ netted area to enable access. These were held into position by drilling eyebolt fittings into the brickwork. Stainless steel supporting wires were then run through, which the net was then clipped on to. The net consisted of black polyethylene 50mm mesh size panels secured by stainless steel hog rings. Access zips and designated hinged doors constructed of a tubular frame and weld mesh panels were installed to facilitate access. Some of this work was carried out using industrial rope access over several days and when completed prevented birds from physically gaining access to the area.

Major out of town shopping centre in Essex

Problem

Feral pigeons (Columba livia) were roosting on the underside of a canopy on a roof area, which was directly above a fire escape mezzanine floor. The area also housed plant which had to be inspected by maintenance contractors. This caused a severe health risk with the accumulation of bird guano deposits below, with the risks associated with slip hazards and from risks associated with pathogens present in bird fouling.

Solution

Our fully trained bird proofing and cleaning team carried out a thorough clean and disinfection of the area and a bird net installation to protect the whole area containing the walkway and plant. This net installation followed the profile of the canopy and extended outwards to enable a designated door to be installed. The hinged door was constructed of galvanised tubular sections with a weld mesh panel. The net itself was supported by a series of stainless steel wires through a number of fixings secured to the cladding, which it was clipped onto. The net consisted of black fire retardant 50mm mesh size panels secured by stainless steel hog rings and as the base supporting wire could not be fixed into the roof, stainless steel weld mesh panels were installed with a rubber matting placed underneath to protect the roof surface. The high level drain gullies on the reverse of this area were proofed with securing stainless steel mesh panels into position to ensure that all possible access points denied birds access.

Major shopping centre in Middlesex

Problem

The main entrance canopy had a net installed to the underside that prevented feral pigeons (Columba livia) from gaining access to shelter on various ledges and support girders. This net was over 10 years old and had become damaged in several areas allowing birds in, which was causing huge problems with fouling on the floor below. This presented a slip hazard and hazards from pathogens associated with bird fouling and secondary pest activity from insects.

Solution

Our fully trained bird proofing team carried out a netting installation to remove the existing net and damaged wires. New eyebolt fixings were drilled where required and stainless steel supporting wires were run through and secured into position. A new translucent polyethylene 50mm mesh size net was secured with stainless steel hog rings to the underside of the canopy, with zips clipped in to facilitate access when the canopy required cleaning. This work was carried out using powered access equipment (MEWPS) over several nights to ensure that risks to the public were reduced.

Residential property housing luxury apartments in the centre of London

Problem

Feral pigeons (Columba livia) were roosting on various downpipes, windowsills and girders supporting a fire escape to the rear elevation. This caused a nuisance with the accumulation of bird guano deposits below, which presented a slip hazard, hazards from pathogens associated with bird fouling and secondary pest activity from insects.

Solution

Our fully trained abseiling team carried out a netting installation to protect the whole rear of the property and the courtyard below by extending the net outwards. This was held into position by drilling eyebolt fittings into the brickwork, running stainless steel supporting wires which the net was then clipped on to. The net consisted of black polyethylene 50mm mesh size panels secured by stainless steel hog rings. This work was carried out using industrial rope access over several days and when completed prevented birds from physically gaining access to the area.

Major historical and retail tourist attraction in the heart of London

Problem

The building was having major stone work renovation being carried out and the previous anti- bird installation was beyond its shelf life. Feral pigeons (Columba livia) were roosting on various ledges and causing a nuisance by waiting to feed amongst the public below. This caused a health and safety slip risk with the accumulation of bird guano deposits below and unsightly fouling on the ledges which had the potential to damage the stone due to its acidic nature.

Solution

Our fully trained bird proofing team used a combination of access equipment to reach the areas of work, using portable scaffold towers and a mobile platform. All of our technicians are trained to work at height having received training in working at height, ladder training, harness training, PASMA and IPAF certification. In keeping with the ascetics of the building we used a stainless steel tensioned wire and post system to protect the ledges. These were configured horizontally across the wider external ledges and vertically on the narrower internal ledges of the building. These were installed by drilling holes, inserting a plastic anchor rivet, inserting the post into the anchor rivet before securing a plastic coated stainless steel wire across the posts with a spring loaded at one end to provide some flexibility and tension. This system prevents the birds alighting onto the ledges without harm.

Major high street shopping centre in Kent

Problem

Feral pigeons (Columba livia) were nesting amongst air conditioning units and roosting on various ledges causing a nuisance by fouling on the floors in a service way. The air conditioning units offered an ideal shelter to nest, with various high level cable trays, lights and ledges being perfect places to night roost. This presented risks to the health of staff and other contractors due to the accumulation of bird guano, feathers, nesting material and other detritus.

Solution

Our fully trained PASMA certificated bird proofing team installed a ‘box’ to the outer perimeter of the service area with a plastic strip curtain to allow access. This was achieved by raising the tubed protection barrier to a height to prevent damage to any bird netting, with the insides of the barrier having galvanised welded mesh panels fitted to this lower section. These were secured by drilling in to the brickwork and using quality fittings to secure the panels to the barrier. Tensioned stainless steel wire was run through a series of eye bolts on the upper sections to tension a 50mm black polyethylene net across the openings, clipped with hog rings to provide a neat taut finish. The plastic strip curtain was installed with a 50/50 overlap to prevent any birds entering and to allow ingress and egress for staff using the service area. This work was carried out over a number of days.

Major high street shopping centre in Hertfordshire

Problem

Feral pigeons (Columba livia) were roosting on lights and pipes and nesting on various ledges causing a nuisance by fouling on the floors in a large service basement. This presented risks to the health of staff and other contractors with slip hazards and risks of respiratory issues associated with pathogens contained within bird guano, feathers and nesting material.

Solution

Our fully trained IPAF certificated bird proofing team installed a number of nets to the ceiling canopies in the areas of highest activity and risk. Eyebolt fittings were drilled into the concrete ceiling to hold tensioned straining wires to support the nets. 50mm black polyethylene nets were then clipped on to these with hog rings, providing a neat taut finish. Clips were put in to various areas to facilitate access to smoke detector heads, sprinklers, lights and other areas requiring access for maintenance. This work had to be carried out at night due to daytime use, with traffic management put in to place to allow for night time deliveries to various shop units. Our bird netting system prevents birds from gaining access by providing a physical barrier and can be designed to protect a whole array of different situations such as roof plant, roof top and ceiling canopies and various building structures. These can come in a range of different mesh sizes for different pest bird species and colours to blend in with the structure background.

Major shopping centre in North London

Problem

Feral pigeons (Columba livia) were perching on the roof parapets above an open shopping precinct, causing bird fouling on to the glass canopy down below. This not only looked unsightly but caused a risk of the rain gully becoming blocked.

Solution

Our fully trained bird proofing team installed stainless steel anti-perching bird spikes along the leading edges above. These were secured into position by using a neutral adhesive to bond them into place after wiping the surface down. These prevented birds from alighting and looking over the leading edge, which was an ideal advantage point for them to look out for potential food being left from the public. Our spike systems are constructed of a series of angled stainless steel spikes on a plastic polycarbonate base, which can be glued or screwed down. These can come in narrow, wide or extra wide to accommodate different surface widths.