In Phoenix downtown, the Renaissance Hotel underwent a huge renovation, it was a big project that lasted for 6 months.

The site has had a problem with pigeons for many years, and with the renovation, management decided it was time to fix this problem once and for all. They contacted Bird Barrier, who in turn gave the lead to United Bird and Bat Control. They worked together with the construction company to find the best bird control solution for each part of the renovation project. Several bird deterrent methods were used; they installed netting, portable fence bird spike, post and wire on different parts of the hotel. Project manager Ted Lafforthun: “For some parts however, there were concerns the aesthetics would be compromised.”

That is where Optical gel came in the picture. Optical Gel is a pre-dosed dish of gel that is stuck on buildings, and repels the birds with a visual and smell repellent.

Ted Lafforthun: “With Optical Gel there is no appearance on the exterior, the dishes can be applied on the surfaces and are invisible from below.”

They installed 400 Optical Gel dishes in multiple areas of the building; on the valet parking cover, on the steel portal roll-up doors for shops and restaurants and on a ledge at the top of the hotel.

“Once we installed the Optical gel canisters, zero birds and zero proof we were there,” according to Ted Lafforthun. “When we did the walk around with the owner, he was delighted with the bird control solutions we provided.”