Bird spikes are installed in a window sill in International City. EXPAT MEDIA

Bird spikes are being installed in residential buildings in Dubai’s International City to deal with pigeons and pest birds in the community. According to property developer Nakheel, it is “part of our ongoing commitment to ensuring the health, safety and wellbeing of residents in International City”. Ledges, window sills, entrances and places where the birds may roost have been installed with bird spikes. The work is expected to continue until February 29. Residents have long been complaining about unsightly and foul-smelling pigeon droppings littering the buildings, particularly on window sills and building entrances. “Pigeons have been a constant annoyance for us, so I am glad International City management is finally installing bird spikes to drive them away. The pigeon droppings look very unhygienic, especially when they clump on the sidewalk, and they’ve also caused damage to my car paint while I was on holiday,” Prakash K, told Expat Media. "Pigeons are cute, but it's hard to think of them that way especially when I see the cleaner trying very hard to scrape off their smelly droppings at the building entrance every day," Lily (full name withheld) told Expat Media.

Are bird spikes legal?

Bird spikes are considered a legal bird deterrent to prevent expensive damage that bird droppings can cause on buildings. They are recommended by the British Wildlife Conservation as an effective and harmless method of bird control. The bird spikes do not hurt or injure birds, but their pins act as a visual and physical barrier to prevent birds from landing on a ledge or area, encouraging them to fly away instead. In the UAE, bird spikes are sold in hardware shops, including Dragon Mart in Dubai, for Dh5 to Dh10 per set.

What’s the problem with pigeons?

While residents enjoy having friendly pigeons within sight, the birds can be a nuisance, especially around roosting sites, according to experts. Pigeon droppings are not only unsightly and foul smelling, but the acidic feces damage metal structures, car paints and buildings. Pigeon droppings are also known to harbor a variety of diseases and parasites, and large accumulations may present a human health hazard, according to the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environment Protection. Health authorities in the UAE have repeatedly warned residents not to feed pigeons in residential areas, as this will encourage them to flock there. ICA/Expat Media
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