Defender® Thistle® Bird & Pest Deterrent Spike

Defender® Thistle® Bird & Pest Deterrent is a low-profile spike suitable for preventing all birds from landing on your property including pigeons, seagulls, starlings, sparrows, blackbirds, crows, swifts and swallows. Each strip has an impressive 80 pins that fan out at 8 different angles, giving you excellent protection on ledges up to 9 cm (3.5 inches). This impenetrable pattern of pins not only deters birds but also stops cats, squirrels, foxes, rats and other garden pests from walking along walls and fences. The Thistle® is only 62 mm in height and, once installed is virtually invisible from the ground. This makes the Defender® Thistle® the ideal solution for all bird and large garden pest problems.

£6.00 Per Strip (Inc VAT)

333 mm (13 inch)
Strips Required:

% Discount Strip Price
1 + £6.00 inc VAT
60 + £5.40 inc VAT
150 + £4.80 inc VAT
300 + £4.20 inc VAT
900 + £3.60 inc VAT
For trade prices call us on 01626 835055
In Stock
In Stock

Defender® Thistle® Bird & Pest Deterrent Spikes Specifications:

Suitable for:
  • Starlings
  • Sparrows
  • Garden Birds
  • Pigeons
  • Seagulls
  • Cats
  • Squirrels
  • Rats
  • Foxes
  • Human Intruders
Ledge Protection: Up to 90 mm (3.5 inches)
Strip Length: 333 mm (Just over 13 inches)
Base Width at Widest Point: 15 mm (0.5 inch)
Pin Height: 62 mm ( 2.4 inches)
Outer Pin to Outer Pin Width: 97 mm (3.8 inches)
Made from: UV Stabilised Polycarbonate
Warranty: UK 15 Year
Product Code: BIRD0030
EAN: 5060298012890
Manufactured: Devon, UK

Long Life Expectancy

The Defender® Thistle® is made from a UV Stabilised Polycarbonate plastic. This means it will not discolour or go brittle in direct sunlight. In fact, it comes with a 15 year warranty when installed in the UK.

Snappable Sections

Each strip of Thistle® Bird and Pest Deterrent is 333 mm long, however, if a smaller strip is needed to finish a run or a small fence post needs proofing, the bird and pest spike can be snapped by hand in to shorter lengths. Along the base of the Defender® Thistle® are 4 grooves where the spike can be snapped into 5 smaller pieces that are 65 mm long. This is useful when installing on undulating, curved or uneven surfaces.

Silicone Fixing Holes

Along the base of the Defender® Thistle® are 38 cross-shaped holes. The silicone will push up through these holes when the bird and pest deterrent spike base is pressed onto the ledge. This creates a locking system that keeps the Defender® Thistle® firmly in place.

Technical Data Sheet

If you need really detailed information on the Defender® Thistle Bird and Pest Deterrent Spikes, the Technical Data Sheet can be viewed and printed here: Data Sheet - Defender Thistle Bird and Pest Deterrent

Data Sheet - Defender Thistle Bird and Pest Deterrent

Defender® Thistle® Bird & Pest Deterrent - Key Info

Which birds are they suitable for?

  • Starlings
  • Sparrows
  • Garden Birds
  • Pigeons
  • Seagulls

Which garden pests are they suitable for?

  • Cats
  • Squirrels
  • Rats
  • Foxes
  • Human Intruders

The impenetrable pattern of pins not only stops small birds, like sparrows, starlings, blackbirds, swifts and other small garden birds but also the larger birds, like pigeons and seagulls, from being able to land on your property. It will also prevent garden pests like cats, rats, squirrels and foxes from walking along walls and fences. Additionally, the dense configuration of pins makes it almost impossible for human intruders to gain a handhold on property boundaries.

Where can I use the spikes for small birds?

The Defender® Thistle® is a very versatile spike and can be siliconed or screwed in place. It is suitable to use on ledges up to 9 cm (3.5 inches) in depth. If wider, two or more rows can be installed. It is the perfect solution for beams on a pergola or a narrow fence, and as it is only 62 mm high, it's very inconspicuous.

How do plastic spikes for small birds work?

Although the Defender® Thistle® may look aggressive, it is a humane bird and pest control deterrent and does not hurt animals at all. The fan of pins acts initially as a visual deterrent, and the birds and pests will move on to more accessible areas. If they are more determined, the dense pattern of the pins means getting close will be uncomfortable and make it impossible to get a foothold onto the ledge. Please note: These spikes have very sharp points; please handle them with care when installing and getting out of the box.

FREE Guide with all orders and telephone support

We are always happy to help with any questions you may have before or after your purchase – call us on 01626 835055. Don’t forget you will also get a handy 40-Page Bird Control Guide with every order – this has a detailed install guide, health and safety tips and lots of information in to help you solve your bird problem for good.

Please note: For every 24 strips (or part thereof) that you order, we will automatically add one tube of Defender® Fixing Adhesive to your basket. Only our adhesive is recommended, as others may not stick to the base. This can be removed at the checkout if not required.

How to install Defender Thistle® Bird and Pest Deterrent Spikes

Defender® Thistle® Small Bird Spike - Photographic Installation Guide


All Defender® Bird Spikes are easy to install with just a basic knowledge of DIY skills. The Defender® Thistle® is no different. Please note: These spikes have very sharp points; please handle them with care when installing and getting out of the box.

Step 1 - Clean the Area: Make sure the area you are installing on is clean, dry and has no loose dirt or debris. If a pigeon has already been nesting or roosting it may be heavily soiled with bird droppings. If this is the case please see our "How to Safely Remove Bird Droppings Guide" for more in-depth details.

Step 2 - Fixing Methods: The easiest way to fit the Thistle® Deterrent is with silicone adhesive. This would always be the recommended way to stick our Defender® deterrent spikes onto most surfaces. If you prefer, they can also be attached using cable ties or screws. With this product, you cannot use nails, as the pins are too dense to be able to hammer down the nails without damaging the bird spike. There are 38 holes for the silicone to ooze through. However, these can also be used for screws if required. One screw at each end and one in the middle would be sufficient.

Step 3 - Silicone: If you choose to install with Defender® adhesive glue silicone, be aware that you will need a caulking gun (not provided). Pull the trigger to squeeze a bead of silicone about 8 mm wide along the base of the spike. If the surface you are installing on is uneven, you may need to use a little more. Always check the suitability of surfaces for use with our silicone. For more information, please visit the product page Defender® Bird Spike Fixing Silicone. If you do not have a caulking gun we have them available to purchase here and we also have a handy guide on "How to use a Caulking Gun Guide" if you haven't used one before.

Step 4 - Positioning: When you have decided where to install the Defender Thistle® Bird and Pest Deterrent Spikes, and you have applied the bead of silicone, push the strip down firmly into position. Along the base are 38 cross-shaped holes. When the spikes are pressed onto a ledge, the silicone oozes through the holes forming rivets that lock it firmly in place. The Defender® Thistle® is very flexible and can be installed on curved surfaces, to do this you can screw at either end or use cable ties.

Step 5 - Full Protection: Repeat the process until the area is fully protected. Each strip of the Thistle® Spike is 333 mm long and can be snapped by hand into shorter lengths. Along the base are grooves where the spike can be snapped by hand. This is useful when installing on undulating, curved or uneven surfaces. Every effort should be made to protect the whole area, and no gaps should be left between additional rows.

Step 6 – Cavities and Raised Sections: Pigeons can be very possessive of their chosen nesting or roosting sites. If there is a cavity, hole or raised section above the ledge being protected, every effort should be made to protect this too. If there is a hole behind the area, make sure this is blocked and no pigeons are trapped behind.

High Quality Plastic Pest Deterrent

Jones and Son have given the Defender® Thistle® a warranty of 15 years when installed in the UK. Thus protecting your property and garden from unwanted starlings, sparrows, pigeons and seagulls for many years. The Defender® Thistle® Bird and Pest Deterrent Spikes are moulded from a UV Stabilised Polycarbonate called Durolon. This is a high-performance plastic that does not become brittle in direct sunlight or adverse weather conditions.

British Manufactured Bird & Pest Deterrent Spikes

Jones and Son Pest Control Supplies Ltd is a family-run business from Devon in the UK. All our Defender® Plastic Bird Spike products are manufactured in a small town on Dartmoor. This ensures that we can oversee every aspect of the production process, from designing to manufacturing, so each pest control spike meets our exacting standards.

For full terms and conditions of the Defender® Bird Spikes UK Warranty please see our Warranty Information Page.

Order by 3 pm (Monday - Friday) for same-day despatch.

1st Class Royal Mail (1-3 Working Days) - £4.92
UPS (Trackable Courier Service) - £14.40
Orders outside of the UK Mainland – Please call us for a shipping quote.

We manufacture all our products in Devon, UK and hold vast amounts of stock. If you need a large order, we can ship it on the same working day. If you have any questions about delivery, please call us on 01626 835055 and we will be happy to help.

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