Defender® Installer of the Month | April | Aurora Environmental Solutions

The winners of April’s Defender® Installer of the Month is…drumroll please...Aurora Environmental Solutions Ltd. from Southend-on-Sea in Essex. Congratulations to James Coade on a perfect installation of our Defender® Thistle spike and Thistle Gutter.

As with all our winners, we asked James a few questions to get to know him and his company better, from how he started out in pest control to the job that won him this prestigious prize! So let's get stuck in and find out more.

James, can you tell us about the Defender® Bird Spikes installation that won you this prize?

I was called by a customer suffering from pigeon fouling building up on their garden path, caused by pigeons roosting on their garden fence and gate. In addition to this, they were also doing the same above the conservatory doors. The customer was particularly keen to have a low visual impact from any solutions, so straight away, the Thistle was the obvious solution. To tackle the problem, I used a combination of the standard Thistle and Thistle Gutter spikes. Standard spikes glued and screwed to the fence and gate. Thistle gutter for the conservatory and kitchen.

James turned to the Defender® Thistle Spike to solve the customer's issue of pigeons perching on their fences and gutters around the home. This is the perfect spike for medium to low pressure areas, meaning areas where birds perch during the day only. Even pigeons landing occasionally can quickly cause a buildup of unsightly pigeon droppings on fences, gates, pathways and patios.

The Defender® Thistle is a low-profile option at only half the height of standard pigeon spikes. James has used 2 rows along either side of the angled fence caps, screwing them down for a quick and secure install, around the whole perimeter fence. To complete the job, he then clipped the Defender® Thistle Gutter Spike around the conservatory and kitchen. These strips have 3 integral clips that allow the spike to hover above the bottom of the gutter, allowing for water flow while also excluding pesky pigeons.

Tell us a little bit about yourself and why you work in pest control.

I was made redundant back in 2016 and started pest control the very same week with Albany Pest Control in London. I initially started as a foot technician in West London, learning the trade. From 2018, I had a van and this took me all over the country, from Bristol and Cardiff in the West, up to York in the North and most major cities in between, including work at Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted airports.

Why did you decide to branch out and set up Aurora Environmental Solutions Ltd?

I was often away from home for up to 3 days and nights during the week while on the road, and I simply had had enough of being away from home. The travelling was made worse during and after the COVID-19 lockdowns. With no hotels available, it often meant leaving home in the very early hours, driving to Manchester, for example, doing a survey and routine jobs, then driving all the way back to Essex in one day.

I then decided to take a break from pest control at the end of October 2021, but came back to the profession when I started Aurora Environmental in late Spring 2022. Now I have full control over where I go, and have a much better work/life balance.

So, who is Aurora, where do you cover and what pest issues do you help solve?

At present, it’s just me. Although there are many old colleagues and friends I can call on for advice and help if needed. I’m based in Southend-on-Sea in Essex, and cover the whole of the county, but also have a small number of jobs which take me to Kent and London. I provide solutions for all the usual pest suspects found in the UK, including insects, rodents, wasps and pigeons.

Aurora Environmental Solutions is committed to choosing the most eco-friendly, non-toxic treatments, placing animal welfare at its heart. They only resort to pesticides and rodenticides when necessary and deemed essential for the situation.

Aurora guarantees a same-day response for residential customers. After each treatment, a detailed health and safety data report including a comprehensive treatment plan is provided, which outlines the work completed and any recommendations for follow-up treatments.

The commercial pest management solutions are tailored to meet the unique needs of each business, offering a comprehensive survey to assess any potential risks. This initial survey is free of charge with no obligation, providing the customers with a detailed assessment and recommendations for treatments specific to the site.

How long have you been doing bird installations?

I had some experience fitting bird spikes with a previous employer, but really stepped up the bird work side of things with Aurora after completing the BPCA Bird Management Certificate in 2022. Now I take on all sizes and shapes of bird installs, from spiking jobs to nets and solar panel proofing.

Which parts of bird and pest control do you find rewarding, and which are challenging?

Finding a solution to a long-standing problem has to be the most rewarding, especially when the customer thinks there is no solution. The most challenging aspect is running the office side of the company alongside the field work, as it's currently a one-person operation.

Finally, James, what made you choose Defender® Bird Spikes as your bird control method?

The wide range of solutions Defender® has to offer, along with the constant innovation with new products. The sample boxes on offer are a great tool to use when discussing options with customers. Also, they are great at the customer service side of things. The Defender® Thistle and Thistle Gutter is the favourite at the moment. It gives great results without being visually intrusive.

Thank you, James, for such wonderful words about us, and again, thanks for choosing Defender® Bird Spikes. Of course, all that remains is to congratulate James at Aurora Environmental Solutions for winning this month's Defender® Bird Spikes Installer competition.

If you live in Southend or indeed Essex and have a bird proofing issue or pest control problem, contact Aurora Environmental Solutions Ltd. for friendly, approachable help solving your pest issue