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Hot
Foot works through its sticky nature, NOT by burning or
irritation.
As birds go to step out of the Gel they experience the feeling that
their foot is stuck. This feeling is disliked and the message is quickly
communicated to other members of the flock which quickly abandon the
treated surface.
To achieve this function it is essential that the correct bead depth be
applied and maintained on the surface where birds are roosting. This
bead depth is achieved by cutting the cartridge nozzle in the
appropriate place relative to the size of the bird as explained in this
manual.
For
long-term effectiveness (in excess of 2 years) it is essential that
:
•
The correct bead depth be applied.
• The correct application pattern is made.
The
surface onto which the Hot Foot is applied must be clean and dry. If the
surface is clean enough to paint then it is satisfactory for the
application of the gel.
Cleaning
should be done to remove dust, dirt, flaking paint, bird droppings etc.
Take great care when removing the droppings as they are highly toxic. Hot
Foot always strongly suggests the pretreatment with Steriliz-It prior to
the cleanup process.
It
is absolutely essential that existing bird nests be removed completely,
otherwise the female birds will try desperation moves to return to the
nest and reinfestation can certainly occur.
Under
no circumstances should Hot Foot gel be applied in or around existing
nests and do not use the product to repel protected or endangered
species.
| Applications
Patterns and Removal |
The
track of gel applied at the leading edge should start 1/4" (6mm)
back from this edge.
For
wide ledges, multiple tracks should be applied as per diagram.
To
remove the gel from surfaces, use any organic solvent such as mineral
spirits, turpentine or kerosene.
Should
the gel have to be removed from birds feathers (and this should not
happen if Hot Foot is correctly applied) then first apply a liberal
amount of cooking oil such as Olive Oil, Peanut Oil etc. onto the gel.
This will neutralize the stickiness. Then remove the residue using a
mild household washing liquid.
| Hot
Foot Gel Ready Reckoner |
Use
the following chart to assist you in determining how many tracks of Hot
Foot Gel are needed on ledges of different widths. For a Single-sided
ledge
| Width
of Ledge
|
Number
of Gel Tracks
|
| Up to 6"
|
1 track
|
| Over 6"-12"
|
2 tracks
|
| Over 12"-18"
|
3 tracks
|
| Over 18"-24"
|
4 tracks
|
| Over 24"-30"
|
5 tracks
|
For
a Double-sided ledge
| Width
of Ledge
|
Number
of Gel Tracks
|
| Up to 6"
|
1 track
|
| Over 3"-9"
|
2 tracks
|
| Over 9"-15"
|
3 tracks
|
| Over 15"-21"
|
4 tracks
|
| Over 21"-27"
|
5 tracks
|
| Over 27"-33"
|
6 tracks
|
Coverage
per tube One tube of Hot Foot Gel will give a coverage of approximately:
12'-15'x 3" against pigeons
20'-24' x 2" against starlings
30'-36' x 2" against sparrows |
Hot
Foot can be purchased in either a Four-Pack; containing 4 cartridges of
gel and one aerosol can of crystal coat (enough to treat approximately.
60 lineal feet x 3 inches against pigeons) or in a Professional Pack (18
cartridges of Gel plus two aerosol cans of Crystal Coat; enough to treat
approximately. 270 lineal feet x 3 inches against pigeons).
| Where
to Cut the Nozzle of the Cartridge |
Cut
here at the first graduation mark to apply a bead of gel to repel
birds the size of Sparrows.
- Cut here at the second graduation mark
to apply a bead of gel to repel birds the size of Starlings.
- Cut here at the third graduation mark
to apply a bead of gel to repel birds the size of Pigeons.
Use Crystal coat
spray to seal porous surfaces such as unpainted concrete, bricks,
cement, tiles etc. prior to the application of the gel. If the surface
is not porous such as steel, aluminum, painted surfaces etc. the
pre-treating with crystal coat is not necessary. Always spray Hot Foot
gel with Crystal Coat to prevent dust and dirt from absorbing the gel.
One can of Crystal Coat will cover nine cartridges of gel.
| Application
Time Estimates |
Application rates vary considerably
depending on whether you are using a ladder, boom truck etc. as much
time is wasted in moving this equipment.
Application is a lot faster when using the Hot Foot Battery Powered
Caulking Gun or the EZI-Flow Gun. With clear access to the application
surface requiring no access equipment one person can apply 120ft. of Hot
Foot Gel per hour using the Battery Gun. When not using this gun and
working off a ladder only 40 ft. per hour may be achieved.
1. Beware of overhanging trees, shrubs
etc. which can grow over and drop debris onto the gel. Such debris will
render the application ineffective.
2. Be especially wary of overhead,
untreated surfaces where birds can drop droppings, nest material etc.
onto the gel. This will also render the application ineffective after a
short time.
3. If you treat only one portion of a
roosting surface, or only a few of all the roosting surfaces, then
pigeons in particular will make repeated attempts to regain entry.
Within 3-6 months, birds will have established an entry
"corridor" into the application and a repeat application will
be necessary. In partial applications, Deter Spikes should be used to
surround the gel application so the birds have to over-fly them in order
to gain entry.
4. Surfaces which are less then 1.75
inches (4.5cm) in width are generally unsuitable for the application of
Hot Foot gel to repel pigeons.
5. Consider aesthetics. Over time the
tracks of gel will darken as dust and dirt accumulate. If this
visibility is a problem then use Hot Foot Springwire or Deter.
6. Do not apply Hot Foot gel onto
precious stonework, works of art or antiques, Statues etc. without first
contacting Hot Foot for specific advice. Any damage can be extremely
expensive to repair and under these circumstances it is best to use a
physical barrier or use a suitable outdoor tape to place a non-permanent
barrier between the surface and the gel.
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