I clean a hallway that that links 3 buildings with floor-to-ceiling windows on both sides. It’s on the ground floor and after the windows are cleaned, birds crash into them much more often than usual. Most get up, but enough do not that the residents in the building are complaining. Can anyone recommend something that can deter the birds from flying into the windows? The exterminator didn’t have any ideas and thought I’d see if anyone here ran into this before and solved it.
Found this on the www For the exterior…[LEFT][FONT=inherit][FONT=inherit][FONT=inherit][FONT=inherit][FONT=inherit]
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[]Break up a window’s reflection by adding decals, sun catchers, crystals, Mylar strips, windsocks or other obstacles outside. If these objects can sway in the wind, they will provide an additional deterrent. Note, however, that birds will attempt to fly through any space larger than 3-4 inches, so decals and strips must be close together over the entire surface area to be effective.
[]Add one-way transparent film to large windows. This film can be seen through from the inside, but will appear as an opaque surface from the outside.
[]Add taut screens to window exteriors. Not only will screens break up the reflection, but if birds do collide with the screen it will cushion the blow and significantly reduce the chance of injury.
[]Add external shutters to dangerous windows and keep them closed whenever possible to eliminate reflections. Storm shutters are another option.
[]Add awnings over patio doors and large windows to prevent sunlight reflections. This will also help cool the window and increase your home’s energy efficiency.
[]Place thick planter boxes with flowers and shrubbery at the base of dangerous windows. This will encourage birds to land in the plants for shelter rather than seek escape through the window. Dead branches can also be positioned over the glass without obstructing the view.
[]Allow windows to remain slightly dirty to cut down on the strength of the reflection.
[]Choose window designs with lattices and patterns in the framing or glass that can help deter birds. French doors and sliding doors can have removable lattices if desired.
[]If replacing windows, consider having them angled down to reflect the ground rather than the sky and landscaping. Depending on the window design, however, this construction technique may void a window’s warranty.
[]Keep birdbaths and feeders closer than 3 feet to the window or further than 15 feet away. If the birds are very close to the window, they will not build up sufficient speed for an injury if they fly at the window, and if they are much further away they will be more easily able to avoid hitting the window altogether.
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[h=3]Techniques That Don’t Work[/h][FONT=inherit]Certain techniques that are proposed for minimizing bird window collisions have been shown to be ineffective, including:[/FONT]
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[*][B]Hawk Decals: Using 1-2 hawk silhouette decals does not discourage birds from hitting windows because of the decal shape. The shape of the decal is largely irrelevant to its effectiveness: using many hawk decals with appropriate spacing can work, however.
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[*][B][B]Too Few Interruptions: Adding just a few decals or other obstacles to a large window or glass door will not be effective because large areas of open reflection are uninterrupted. Birds are agile fliers and will attempt to fly between decals or other barriers unless the space between them is less than 3-4 inches.
I would recommend buying these or something similar. Keep them with you and when you have a client with “bird-to-glass” issues, up sell. You only need one for a standard window, maybe 2 or 3 for windows like yours.
Take fishing line from one side to the other about 6 inches to two feet from the window. I usually put it at the first foot of the bottom of the window. Unless its a big window then I do it in the middle also. It’s kind of a pain but I attach quick connects to take them down when I’m working. You just have to charge more for the cleaning as it takes more time.
I have an account same situation occurred, the bird left it’s impression on the glass wings full - spread.
Never experienced this kind of thing in all my years of wc, I took a couple pics before I cleaned it.
Happens all the time at the hallway at this property and others where there are windows on each side of the room or hallway. The birds can see the other-side but not the glass and try to fly through. A few years ago, a deer ran into the window at this same property. Shattered the outside pane. The deer and most of the time, the birds are just stunned and shake it off a few minutes later. Nobody wants dead birds around, but be careful cleaning them up. There’s been an outbreak of west nile disease and authorities are warning people to stay away from dead birds since they are carriers. Anyway, thanks for all the responses and advice.
It doesn’t help your case, but I usually tell customers, “It’s mother nature’s seal of approval”, to lighten the mood when customers bring up the subject.
