Don’t lose your bottle

Theft of gas bottles from pigeon scaring gas guns is leaving crops unprotected and vulnerable to damaging pest attacks. Growers in some areas report up to 20% of gas bottles can go missing over the course of the season, frequently stolen for scrap metal value, or for their contents to power nefarious activities of rogue thieves.

New camouflage covers from Ely-based Techneat Engineering are now available to fit all the common sizes of gas bottle typically used to power gas guns, including the company’s revolutionary Vary-Scary. Tom Neat highlights that red gas bottles stick out like a sore thumb in a green oilseed rape crop; "the camouflage covers are an effective way to deter opportunist theft by people driving by, as well as reducing the visual impact of bird scaring activities."

With industrial bottled gas prices of around £18 for an 11kg refill and a deposit value of £15 to £20 per bottle, the cost of theft can be high - as well as the inconvenience of replacement and the potential damage caused to the crop whilst unprotected.

Mr Neat adds: "We have had great reports back from farmers since the Vary-Scary gas gun was introduced earlier this year, complementing the lightweight and easy manoeuvrability of the unit, plus the integral legs that gives good clearance above the crop for the maximum effect in bird scaring. They also have complete confidence in the easy to use electronic timer and firing system, which gives the ultimate patterns of firing to deter pests, but can be reliably left to turn on and off to minimise disruption to neighbours. Its use, in combination with camouflaged bottles, has proven highly effective."