FEATURE
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Laser guidance
on PestFix training day
The Agrilaser Autonomic was voted by Pest readers as the winner of the Best Product
Award 2016. Obviously a favoured product with professional users, Pest editor, Frances
McKim, went along to a recent one-day training course organised by the product's
distributors, PestFix, to learn more about this popular, but pricey, piece of kit.
Opening the day's proceedings, PestFix director, Matt England
explained that over the two years PestFix has been distributing the
products in the UK: “What started as a trickle has now turned into a
flow as the Agrilaser Autonomic has become better known. Our
objective now is to train as many people as possible, so they too
can go out and install for themselves this unique piece of kit.”
This stated objective seemed to go down well with the nine other
delegates assembled at the Holiday Inn just outside Birmingham in
mid February. All were keen to learn more – to become familiar
with the safety requirements, the suitability of problem bird sites,
how to set-up and use the kit and, most importantly, how they could
profitably include it in their pest control activities. All these points
Matt handled in a very professional, yet friendly, manner, fielding
numerous questions as the day went along, but also allowing
adequate time for each delegate to get their hands on the laser and
to learn how to program it.
Suitable locations
First Matt outlined the types of location most suited to the installation
of the laser – around airports, renewable energy sites, in agriculture
e.g. vineyards, orchards and fish farms, at water treatment works
and, perhaps the most common for pest controllers, on industrial
roofs and buildings, especially prestigious ones.
Birds that flock, such as sea gulls, geese and starlings, are the most
sensitive and easiest to scare, whereas solitary birds, such as
N
WIN ER
best
product
award
2016
pest
Agrilaser
Autonomic
pigeons, are the hardest. In his round-up of problem areas, some
pictures of gull guano build-up were shown which quite shocked
even the experts present.
Unique benefits
Whilst the laser approach does offer several unique benefits, such
as long range, silent, immediate results, none habituation and
animal friendly, Matt is the first to admit it's not a 'one size fits all'
solution to every bird dispersal problem. As is often the case, an
integrated approach, within which the laser would form a significant
part, is often the best solution.
In use, the laser has to comply with all safety standards. This means
there are some situations where birds are an issue yet its
deployment would not be appropriate. These include on airfields, in
areas frequented by pedestrians, around residential buildings,
especially those with lots of windows, or around water, where
reflective light would be an issue. Choosing the right model is
essential to generate a laser projection with sufficient contrast for
effective bird dispersal. Another thing to consider, if organising a
demonstration on a clear sunny day is that the beam will not be
seen at its brightest.
Safety is certainly something to take seriously, especially when Matt
reminded us what Laser stands for – Light Amplification by the
Stimulated Emission of Radiation. So no toy here. Lasers are
classified by class, ranging from laser pointers (class 1) right up to
class 4 for metal cutting gear.
Agrilaser re-classified
Recently, the entire Agrilaser product range, as manufactured by the
Dutch Bird Control Group, has been re-classified from laser class
2m to laser class 3b. This includes the two smaller hand-held
models in the range. With this comes the benefit of more powerful
laser products which will increase the range and effectiveness of the
lasers on light absorbing surfaces and in bright sunlight. However, it
also brings with it stringent safety precautions. PestFix can advise on
risk assessments and safety precautions such as warning signs and
systems to shut down the laser before entering the controlled area.
Having explained the constraints on use, Matt covered site
surveying and installation. One very helpful tip when dealing with
any slightly unsure customer was to lend them one of the hand-held
models for them to trial – the benefits of using a laser to disperse
birds would soon become apparent.
Matt England (right) points out the controls to Dave Brake from
Powrmatic and Ray Fretwell of Falcon Environmental
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pest
Depending on ambient light conditions, the laser beam has a
maximum range from 1,000 metres up to 2,500 metres. It is vital to
take into consideration bird behaviour which varies between
seasons and also between day or night roosting species.
www.pestmagazine.co.uk
Issue 49: February & March 2017
FEATURE
Get the knowhow
but for those who don't wish to purchase
one immediately Matt explained: “We can
also arrange a lease package, so users can
'try before they buy'. Part of these fees can
then be credited towards the purchase price
if the unit is subsequently bought.”
The day, which counts for 12 PROMPT CPD
points, was rounded-off by a short 15
question multiple choice exam.
Certainly, if pest controllers are seriously
considering adding Agrilaser technology to
their bird deterrence armoury, a PestFix
training day would be well worth attending.
Further courses are planned around the
country.
Tim Eden of Somerset-based Birdteq has a
go at programing the path of the laser
beam under Matt's watchful eye
Tip of the
bird iceberg
The Agrilaser Autonomic can be powered
by either mains electricity, battery or solar
power. Once erected the machine is
programmable from your own laptop.
There are 16 different patterns which can be
programmed with up to 100 way points
within each – these are set-up to direct the
laser beam around the target area and
control the on/off timing.
The Agrilaser Autonomic itself isn't cheap,
Pest editor France McKim dons the safety
glasses and tries out the handheld laser
The day concluded with a multiple choice
exam worth 12 CPD points
Sizewell A gets the laser treatment
A news story appeared on the BBC
News website on 17 February 2017
stating that the amount spent on
ridding streets of pigeons and gulls by
local authorities had almost doubled in
the past three years.
About two-thirds of England's councils
responded to a BBC Freedom of
Information request on bird control.
In the news story the BBC said that the
council responses revealed the amount
spent rose from £452,000 in 2013/14
to £830,000 in 2015/16. Scottish
councils spent £950,000 over the past
three years compared with £43,000 in
Wales and £9,519 in Northern
Ireland.
Big spenders
Matt England (left) of PestFix programing the laser alongside Ian Parkinson, service
and operations manager from Abate
Sites such as nuclear power stations are ideal for the installation of an Agrilaser
Autonomic, a conclusion Norfolk-based Abate Pest Management Services recently came
to. Situated next to the sea and away from ground predators, Sizewell A offers an ideal
spot for gulls and pigeons to nest and roost. To prevent a build-up of guano, staff were
continually having to work at height to keep the areas clean and to prevent nesting
material from blocking drains.
Working with Actavo, the building contractors for the site, an Agrilasr Autonomic was
installed by Abate. This now scans across 16 roofs keeping the birds at bay. What’s more
it can be remotely controlled from the power station.
Issue 49: February & March 2017
www.pestmagazine.co.uk
The biggest spender on bird control in
the period 2013 to 2016 was the
London Borough of Southwark at
£393,000, with Stoke-on-Trent City
Council the biggest spender outside
London at £75,000. The money was
spent on activities ranging from
pigeon-proofing buildings to clearing
up guano and removing dead birds.
However, readers of Pest magazine
will know that councils are not legally
bound to manage birds and that, as a
whole, far more bird management
work would be done, anything up to
ten times as much, via facilities
management companies and bird
control contractors. Moral of the story –
don’t take everything at face value –
even if it is from the BBC!
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