Birds can cause problems in industries such as mining, energy, construction, aviation, and agriculture. Effective deterrents are essential to protect avian wildlife, prevent hazards, and reduce crop damage. While survey ribbons, also known as surveyors tape or flagging tape, have been used as a makeshift bird deterrent solution, they were never designed for this purpose. More advanced solutions, such as Rise Tape, offer a more effective and durable alternative.
For a broader comparison of various bird deterrent methods, see Bird Deterrent Systems Compared.
Limitations of Survey Ribbons as a Bird Deterrent
Survey ribbons, despite being inexpensive upfront and widely available, fall short in multiple ways when used as a bird deterrent:
- Limited Durability: Flagging tape is typically made from thin plastic or vinyl, materials that quickly degrade under UV exposure, rain, and wind.
- Labour-Intensive Installation: These ribbons must be manually tied to a mainline, increasing labour costs and installation time.
- Difficult Replacement: When survey ribbons detach in locations like over ponds or elevated structures, replacing them often requires uninstalling, repairing, and redeploying the entire line — an impractical and costly process.
- Ineffectiveness: Survey ribbons, while often fluorescent for daytime visibility, lack reflective properties, making them less effective in low-light conditions. Additionally, they degrade over time, losing vibrancy under UV exposure, further reducing their deterrent effect.
Why Rise Tape Is a Superior Alternative
Rise Tape overcomes these limitations, offering a reliable and long-lasting avian control solution.
- Built for Durability: Made from saltwater- and UV-resistant nylon and polyester, Rise Tape withstands harsh environmental conditions, making it far more durable than standard survey ribbons.
- Reflectivity for Maximum Visibility: Every ribbon in Rise Tape has two integrated reflective lines, significantly improving its effectiveness in daylight and low-light conditions.
- Ribbons Stay Securely Attached: Unlike survey ribbons that can detach over time, Rise Tape’s ribbons are securely sewn onto the mainline, ensuring they remain in place and reducing maintenance efforts.
- Versatile Applications: Rise Tape is not limited to bird deterrence — it is also widely used for hazard marking and safety guardrails, making it a multi-purpose solution.
Cost-Effectiveness & Environmental Considerations
Rise Tape provides long-term savings and environmental benefits over survey ribbons:
- Lower Long-Term Costs: Survey ribbons require frequent replacement and repairs, leading to high material and labour expenses. Rise Tape’s longevity reduces these costs significantly.
- Less Environmental Waste: Flagging tape contributes to plastic waste as it degrades and requires frequent disposal, or simply get blown away and contaminate surrounding ecosystems, creating additional environmental hazards. Rise Tape, with its durable construction, minimizes waste by lasting much longer, and can be reused for other applications.
- Weather-Resistant for Harsh Environments: Resistant to wind, rain, saltwater, and sun exposure, Rise Tape remains effective in challenging conditions where survey ribbons would quickly fail or fade.
Field Example
This photo, taken at a client site replacing survey ribbons with Rise Tape over a pond, highlights key differences. Survey ribbons require manual tying, resulting in inconsistent spacing and gaps where ribbons have detached. In contrast, Rise Tape (top) provides tighter, uniform spacing with securely sewn-on ribbons, ensuring long-term effectiveness.
Summary
When compared to flagging tape, Rise Tape provides superior durability, effectiveness, and cost efficiency in bird deterrence applications. Its high-quality materials, reflective properties, and secure attachment system make it the best long-term solution for industries looking to mitigate bird-related problems without the constant upkeep of survey ribbons.
For those looking to upgrade their bird deterrent systems, switching to Rise Tape is a practical and cost-effective choice. Invest in a solution that works better, lasts longer, and saves money and the environment at the same time.
