Installer of the Month May 2026 | JSPC Pest Solutions

A huge congratulations to Jason Sutherland from JSPC Pest Solutions, our Defender® Bird Spikes Installer of the Month winner for May. Jason’s entry was a great example of practical product choice, thoughtful bird control and careful work from start to finish.

Thank you to our guest judge, Chris Woollam

We would also like to thank Chris Woollam from Nurture Pest Control, who kindly took the time to judge our May Installer of the Month entries with a little expert input from his colleague Gareth Tonen.

Chris made an excellent choice, and his reason for choosing Jason’s entry went right to the heart of what makes a bird spike installation last. It was not just the neat finished result that impressed him, but the care taken before the spikes were fitted.

As Chris explained:

“It was the preparation work involved that really stood out to me. It’s something I’ve always strongly believed in within my own work, because the difference good preparation makes to the longevity of an install is massive. There was clearly a lot of wire brushing and surface preparation carried out before the spikes were installed, and that attention to detail is what made the entry stand out above the rest for me.”

We could not agree more. Good preparation is often the hidden part of a bird spike installation, but it is one of the most important. A clean, well prepared surface helps the adhesive get a strong hold and gives the spikes the best chance of staying securely in place for years to come.

The winning installation

Jason was called out to a property where gulls had been causing ongoing problems year after year. The birds were regularly perching along the roof ridge and nesting in the overhang between two houses. During nesting season, this had become particularly unpleasant for the residents, with gulls becoming aggressive and dive bombing people nearby.

Jason installed Defender® Curved Ridge Spikes along the roof ridges to stop the gulls from landing on their usual lookout spots. He also spiked the overhanging area between the properties to help prevent future nesting.

The job may have looked straightforward at first glance, but as anyone who works on roofs will know, the work done before the installation can make all the difference. Jason’s attention to cleaning, preparation and product placement is exactly what made this entry such a worthy winner.

What made this job stand out?

This was one of those jobs where the finished installation looked neat and simple, but the work behind it took proper care and attention.

Before the spikes could be installed, the roof ridge needed a thorough clean. Jason expected some preparation work, but he had not quite expected the amount of stubborn lichen waiting for him. As he quite rightly pointed out, anyone who has ever tried to remove lichen will know it takes some serious scrubbing. In fact, we have it on good authority that he still had the blisters weeks later!

That preparation was essential. Bird spikes need a clean, secure surface so the adhesive can get a strong hold, especially when they are being fitted in exposed areas that will face wind, rain and the full force of the Scottish weather.

Once the surface was properly prepared, Jason fitted the Defender® Curved Ridge Bird Spikes into place. These are designed specifically for curved roof ridges, with added stability arms that help the spikes sit securely against the shape of the ridge while the adhesive cures.

It was a clean, practical and effective installation, with the preparation doing just as much heavy lifting as the finished product.

What difference did the installation make?

Once the Defender® Curved Ridge Bird Spikes were secured, the gulls were no longer able to land on the roof ridge or access the areas where they had previously nested.

As Jason said:

“More importantly, with no gulls in the immediate area, the residents will be safe this coming season and many after, allowing them to enjoy their gardens and come and go without the risk of being dive bombed.”

This is exactly what effective bird control should do. It solves the problem without harm, while helping residents feel comfortable in their own space again.

How did Jason get into pest control?

Like many people in the industry, Jason did not originally plan to become a pest controller.

After leaving school, he worked in a number of roles, including a short spell in the military. It was while working as a Maintenance Manager in a hotel that he first became interested in pest control. A “rat man” used to visit the hotel for routine checks and call outs, and Jason found himself asking more and more questions about the job and the industry.

Eventually, that curiosity turned into a career. Jason went on to work for the same pest control company, where that chap became his mentor.

It is a lovely reminder that sometimes the best careers are not the ones we plan, but the ones that catch our attention and refuse to let go.

Why did Jason start JSPC?

Before starting JSPC Pest Solutions, Jason spent over 10 years working for pest control companies in both technician and supervisory roles.

During that time, he noticed how much pressure there could be to get around a large number of sites in one day. Over time, he felt that the workload could start to get in the way of providing the level of service customers deserved.

Starting JSPC Pest Solutions gave him the chance to do things his own way, with more time to focus on the customer, the problem and the best long term solution. He has never looked back.

What kind of work does JSPC cover?

JSPC covers a wide range of pest control work, including rodents, insects, birds, moles, rabbits and squirrels.

Based in Fife, Scotland, Jason covers the surrounding areas, including Edinburgh and Glasgow. He works across agricultural, domestic and commercial sites, bringing a practical and problem solving approach to each job.

His background in maintenance has also been a real advantage, particularly when it comes to pest prevention and proofing work.

Jason especially enjoys tricky rodent jobs where he has to think like a rat or mouse, follow the evidence and work out exactly how the problem is happening. That kind of approach is often what separates a quick fix from a proper long term solution.

Who is part of the JSPC Pest Solutions team?

At the moment, the JSPC Pest Solutions team is made up of Jason and Bear, the company’s top “rat catcher”.

As Jason said:

“Bear is a black Patterdale with the heart of a lion and is the company’s top asset! He goes everywhere with me and is a great companion.”

We always love a four legged team member, especially one with such strong pest control credentials.

What would people be surprised to know about pest control?

Jason made a really important point here. Pest control is often misunderstood, and there is far more to the job than many people realise.

As Jason explained:

“Pest control is regarded as a dark trade and a lot of people think that pest controllers just go around killing things. However, there is so much more to it. You have to have an in depth understanding of rodent and insect biology, chemicals and how they work. Understanding animal behaviour is also key to successful trapping and control. By carrying out effective proofing and prevention work, it often means that no harmful pesticides are required and no animals have to die.”

That is something we strongly believe in too. The best bird control is humane, targeted and designed to solve the problem without causing unnecessary harm.

What has been one of Jason’s trickiest jobs?

One of Jason’s most memorable jobs involved a severe mouse infestation in a domestic rental property. In Jason’s own words:

“I once had to deal with a severe mouse infestation in a domestic rental property. The elderly tenants had initially found a couple of mice in the house but didn’t want to cause them any harm, so put them in a hamster cage to look after them. They hadn’t realised at the time it was a Mr and Mrs mouse, and once the babies were mobile they managed to squeeze out of that cage! Fast forward around nine months later, once most of the property had been destroyed by mice, the tenants had to be rehoused and I personally removed around 400 mice from the property!”

It is quite a story, and while the beginning may raise a smile, it is also a very clear reminder of just how quickly a small pest issue can become a much larger one.

What is the most satisfying part of the job?

For Jason, the most satisfying part of the job is solving the problem.

Many customers call when they are already distressed. Being able to resolve the issue and give people that sense of relief is one of the most rewarding parts of the work.

Why does Jason choose Defender® Bird Spikes?

Jason has always preferred Defender® Bird Spikes because of their quality.

He particularly likes the X shaped silicone locking holes in the base of the spikes. These allow the adhesive to ooze through when pressed into position, creating a strong lock once the silicone cures.

His go to product for pigeons on ledges and roof edges is the Defender® Wide Stainless Steel Spike. He likes the coverage, how easy they are to work with, and the snappable sections that make it simple to adjust the spike to the right length for each job.

Of course, additionally all Defender® Stainless Steel Spikes come with a 25 year ‘No Rust’ warranty giving customer and Jason peace of mind.

As Jason adds:

“I always look for a humane and species specific deterrent when dealing with birds. The quality of a product is important as, more often than not, they are going to be exposed to harsh weather conditions. Having a product that is also affordable is very important and Defender® ticks both of these boxes, quality products at affordable prices!”

What a fabulous quote. We could not have said it better ourselves.

Congratulations JSPC

A huge well done again to Jason from JSPC Pest Solutions, our May Installer of the Month winner.

This was a fantastic example of gull proofing done properly, with careful preparation, the right product for the job and a clear focus on solving the customer’s problem for the long term.

Thank you to Jason for choosing Defender® Bird Spikes and for sending in such a strong entry.

If you are in Fife, Edinburgh, Glasgow or the surrounding areas and need help with gulls, pigeons, or general pest control, get in touch with JSPC Pest Solutions and let Jason and Bear help you solve the problem.