How to Keep Your Building Bird and Vermin Free

When planning for a new build, there is a range of options to consider – size, colour, type of cladding, and the list goes on. Yet if you’re new to the building game, you may not yet have considered the bird and vermin proofing alternatives available.

To invest in a new building is a major venture and getting it right first time is a must. With no protection you risk property and product damage, not to mention the diseases that birds and vermin can carry and the insect infestations that can follow.

Read on for our list of the best ways to create a bird and vermin resistant building.

1. Tapered Box Beam

The best option on the market for building spans over 24 meters is the Tapered Box Beam.

The fully sealed, hollow box section of the Tapered Box Beam design means that the portal frames and purlins are naturally completely bird and vermin-resistant. When purlins are nested into the portals there are no lips/ surfaces for birds to roost or vermin to run upon. This product is essential for any food manufacturing, extreme hygiene, highly corrosive applications and packaging buildings.

2. Bracketless Portal System

For your smaller buildings, our  Bracketless Portal System is the ideal option. The exclusive system features no knee or apex braces, and purlins which are angled in a way that makes it impossible for birds to perch on. Flashing can be applied to protect the C-section portal rafters, however, from experience we have found that 85-90% of bird issues are resolved by having bird resistant purlins alone.

Our bird-resistant purlins in both our Tapered Box Beam and Bracketless Portal System structures are nested, as opposed to our competitors that typically use top hat sections (as seen in the image below).

3. Bird Spikes and Bird Goo

Other ‘add on’ options not typically needed in Coresteel structures include bird spikes and bird goo.

Bird spikes are available from various retailers and can be purchased in stainless steel or plastic. The spikes are placed on specific areas and physically prevent the birds from landing, perching or roosting in that area.

Bird goo works in a similar way and involves applying a non-toxic, tacky, bird repellent gel to prevent birds landing, perching and roosting on those surfaces. In comparison to the bird spikes, the bird gel does not harm birds and is close to invisible. On the other hand, it needs to be reapplied every year.

To fully bird proof the roof canopy we suggest customers apply either spikes or glue to bracing elements and anything else exposed to perching. However, we find that nearly all our customers choose to incorporate our unique purlin and Tapered Box Beam design, rather than going to the hassle and cost involved in applying spikes or goo.

4. Vermin Resistant Girt 

Standard to all Coresteel structures is the addition of a vermin resistant girt. Instead of using a bottom girt 300mm above the ground, we can incorporate a vermin girt to sit on top of the slab and tie into the structure. The cladding on the exterior wall comes over the face of the vermin girt, providing a unique profile, preventing vermin from entering the building in this area.

5. Bird Brush

Another element to consider – no matter what other bird and vermin proofing you undertake is to also make sure that birds and vermin cannot get in through gaps around roller shutter, bi-folding, sliding or pedestrian doors.

A product called Bird Brush can be fitted around doors to deter birds and vermin entering. The product is a dense bristle brush which slides into an aluminium carrier.

Any questions?

View the Bracketless Portal System and Tapered Box Beam structure diagrams to see how our bird and vermin resistance features work together.

Or contact your closest franchise for advice – we’ve got offices throughout New Zealand.