BIRD CONTROL RESEARCH

The Lightweight Helikite protects crops with good crop cover such as peas or laid cereals. They are also suitable for use in hot climates on all fruit, vegetable and arable crops. The silver Mylar balloon of the Lightweight Helikite is exposed, but it is still strong enough for many uses. The balloon is held onto the kite with straps. This means it is very lightweight and so flies better in extremely hot conditions and around buildings. Lightweight Helikites require no adjustment and fly happily in winds up to 25 mph (Force 6) in hot or cold climates. Lightweight Helikites are not as tough as Vigilante Helikites so Lightweight Helikites cannot be used on winter crops overnight or anywhere they are likely to come down onto bare ground when wet. To counter this problem, Lightweight Helikites can be used with our optional 42 foot tall, aluminium Helikite Poles on landfill sites, factory rooftops and feedlots.  Like any Helikites they are superb at scaring problem birds over vast areas. 

In scientific trials, Helikites and traditional kites have always outperformed other bird scarers when flying high over crops. 

 

The Vigilante Helikite is the primary Helikite birdscarer. Thousands have been sold to arable farmers, fruit growers and other satisfied customers worldwide. A unique combination of kite, helium balloon and protective balloon cover the Vigilante Helikite flies up to 200 feet with up to 20 mph or without any wind to scare birds over areas as large as 25 acres. The hovering Helikite mimics the action of birds of prey as it moves around the sky. The Vigilante Helikite will come down in the rain but the unique protective cover protects the balloon from punctures until it dries out and automatically re-launches itself again. They are very frugal with helium – only using a few pence worth of the gas per day. The disposable inner balloons tend to last about 3 to 4 weeks before they wear out. Then they can be replaced very quickly. Vigilante Helikites are easy to transport in cars and can be stored anywhere. They are tough and well suited to their rough lives on farms worldwide. 

 

 

University Field Trials
In 1981 and 1982 at Reading University, Fazlul Haque.A.K.M. and Broom.D.M. showed that traditional delta kites gave virtually 100% control of pigeons on spring cabbages when operated with dedication. They state, "Damage in fields with a gas banger exceeded that in fields with a kite, especially in severe winter weather."

1981 (Mild winter)1982 (Severe winter)

UnprotectedBangerKiteUnprotectedBangerKite

% Severe damage14.71. 30. 614.714. 71. 3

The damage done to the kite field occurred only when the kite could not be flown. The two scientists also tried humming line but found it to be ineffectual. 

They summarise by saying:
"Our extended trial in 1982 suggested that pigeons do not habituate to a kite over periods of at least three months and hence it seems that a kite can be a better means of controlling wood pigeon damage." 

It was obvious from this trial that the limitation of traditional kites for bird control was not their ability to scare birds, but rather their inability to stay in the air for long and their need for frequent re-launching. This is why the first Allsopp Helikite was invented in 1993. Helikites fly in no wind and relaunch themselves automatically after rain. This greatly extends the time possible for bird-control and almost eliminates maintenance. 
 

European Field Trials. In 1998 a European Community trial was done in Ireland comparing all methods of bird control. The bird problem there is so acute that winter peas had been virtually abandoned and pigeon damage alone halved Irelands potential pea tonnage for many years. Helikites proved to be the most reliable bird scarer. 

Their summary states: 
"The Allsopp Helikite was found to be highly effective in reducing pest damage in two studies carried out by the Kildare Pest Control Group in Ireland. The Helikite was installed on two sites; 9 and 2.5 hectare fields of combining peas. Prior to installation, the incidence of pigeons was monitored at a constant average of approximately 9 pigeons per hectare. This was reduced to zero by the presence of the Helikite at both sites. During the 25 and 28 day intervals respectively between installation of the Helikite and the harvesting of the crop, no habituation to the device was observed at either site." 

Winter peas are now being successfully grown in Ireland protected by Vigilante Helikites.

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Effective:

• Wild hawk predators constantly reinforce natural fear

• Controls areas Up to 10 Ha. (25 Acres)

• Controls all wild birds

• No shooting required

Silent:

• No complaints about noise

Low Cost:

• Low cost to buy and run per acre

Reliable

• Very predictable area of control

Long Term Control

• Very low habituation

• Environmentally friendly

Before Helikites were invented, agricultural bird control had always been a hit or miss affair, with old fashioned scarecrows or even the more modern bangers and wailers giving very variable protection, making it impossible for farmers to rely on them for long to counter expensive and often crippling crop losses. Birds are unpredictable and planning for them is very difficult. The scientifically designed, patented Helikite is the first and one of our best bird control systems that really works well over a long period of time because wild birds find it extremely difficult to overcome the innate terror of predatory hawks that Helikites create. Real hawks reinforce, so habituation is very unlikely - even after months without shooting. If you have a difficult bird problem the powerful Helikite is one of the few proven birdscarers really capable of protecting your livelihood.