Installer of the Month October 2025 | PestKing

Celebrating October’s Defender Bird Spikes Installer of the Month, Ben West from PestKing. This one felt special. We were able to present the trophy to Ben in person and chat with him for a live interview. It was clear straight away why he stood out. He cares about doing the job properly and he cares about his customers.

So why did Ben’s installation earn the title Installer of the Month?

Simple. He delivered the full service from start to finish. The job was to replace and improve a previous bird control setup in the back alley of a local restaurant. The old system combined netting and spikes, but the netting had come loose and was just collecting dirt and debris. Many of the spikes had also come away from ledges and pipework, partly due to damage to the downpipes that were letting in water from the gutters above. Some spikes were even fitted low to the ground where pigeons rarely perch, making them unnecessary. These are areas that pigeons will rarely nest on, the only occasion being if it is an entrenched roosting area and there is no human traffic at all in the area.

Ben began by removing all the old systems and cleaning away years of built up guano before carrying out a full disinfection. What stood out to us was his attention to detail. He didn’t just clean the areas where new spikes would go, he cleaned everything; downpipes, ledges, doorways, steps and walkways.

Once the site was spotless, Ben installed Defender® Wide Stainless Steel Spikes in 316 Marine Grade Stainless Steel on all the likely roosing areas, including air conditioning units, pipe work and ledges. 316 Marine Grade steel comes with a lifetime material No Rust making it ideal for polluted environments and giving the customer lasting peace of mind.

Let's find out what brought Ben into the pest control industry

Ben’s dedication to quality and care comes from experience. He began his career in pest control through a graduate scheme with a national company after completing a degree in forensic science. Over the years, he worked his way up from technician to surveyor to key account manager before deciding to set up on his own.

He’s now joined by Rob, who brings years of hands-on experience in the pest control industry, and of course, Loki, the springer spaniel who rarely leaves Ben’s side. Pest control is something Ben is genuinely passionate about, and he’s committed to raising standards across the industry.

‘It’s really important to get on top of infestations and get professionals in to deal with that issue, to nip it in the bud before it escalates. Addressing pest issues effectively requires a combination of environmental management, improved waste disposal, and targeted pest control strategies.’

He’s now expanding his bird work, including spiking and solar panel proofing. Defender Bird Spikes was recommended to him as the best supplier, and the Defender® Thistle Spikes has become his favourite. He likes its low profile and versatility, making it effective at deterring all types of birds from gulls to sparrows.

Ben also highlights the importance of understanding pest bird behaviour.

'By understanding the behaviours of pest birds and implementing appropriate, legally compliant proofing measures, property owners in Scotland can effectively mitigate the challenges posed by these avian intruders.’

Based in Scotland, Ben covers a wide area — from Aberdeen right down the east coast, including Dundee, Perth, Fife and Stirling. He provides both residential and commercial pest control, tackling not only pest birds but also rats, mice, insects, flies, wasps, ants, moles and squirrels.

If you live in these areas and have a pest or bird control issue, Ben’s your man. You can contact him at info@pestking.co.uk .