by Alex A. Kecskes
You know a pest bird when you see one. They're not those lovely little birds that helped Cinderella tie ribbons around her waist. Au contraire. They're the flocks of birds that invade your property, costing you big money in cleanup and property damage. And you've tried everything, it seems, to rid yourself of the little buggers. This includes shotguns, propane cannons, firecrackers, flares, even hiring falconers and predator hawk experts to get them off your property. Nothing seems to work. They just keep coming--in greater numbers--to cost you more time and money. What to do? Time to Fight Back with Bird NettingFacilities managers and building owners, vintners and growers are discovering the many merits of bird netting. This highly effective and humane pest bird deterrent has kept birds out of courtyards, patios, storage yards and other open areas. It has also saved boat owners from annoying cleanup and damage expenses. And prevented the slip-and-fall accidents that have cost many property owners tens of thousands in personal injury settlements. From an "A" to a "C" Rating Restaurant owners have used bird netting to keep pest birds away from their establishments. Bird droppings can ruin an eatery's reputation faster than any food critic. And health inspectors will turn an "A" rated restaurant into a "C" rated one if they spot nests or droppings nearby. They know that birds can carry any of 60 known diseases. Feral pigeons, for example, have been known to carry a bacterium that causes Salmonellosis. Pigeons can also carry Ornithosis, a serious disease that's similar to viral pneumonia.
Flight RisksAirport facilities managers also rely on bird netting to keep pest birds away from runways where birds have been sucked into jet engines. Netting has been used to deter birds from eaves, canopies, support beams and other large open areas in and around airports. Aircraft maintenance facilities must be kept free of bird nests, droppings and feathers, since these can get into delicate engine parts and assemblies. Pest Birds: Anathema to Commercial Buildings OwnersCommercial building owners have used bird netting to keep pest birds and their nests from clogging gutters and drain pipes. Netting has also proven effective in preventing bird droppings from blocking vents, freezing up rooftop ventilators, obscuring light sensors, security cameras, and solar panels. By preventing the buildup of bird droppings and nests, netting has reduced the likelihood of fires in enclosed areas of industrial buildings. Keeping birds out means their bodies can't "arc" across electrical equipment. Or that bird nests can no longer act as kindling for sparks in electrical junction boxes. Big Mesh or Little Mesh?Many facilities managers appreciate the fact that bird netting comes in a variety of mesh sizes to deter a wide range of birds. To deter big birds like pigeons or seagulls, for example, calls for 1-1/8” to 2” mesh size netting. Smaller birds like sparrows or starlings can be efficiently kept out with 3/4" mesh netting. The best bird netting is knotted polyethylene that comes in U.V. treated twine to last longer in tough weather. Strong, Hot or Cold Some manufacturers offer netting that has a 40-pound burst strength and a 10-year guarantee. Others offer bird netting that meets ISO 1806 protocols, is flame resistant, and rot- and water-proof. You can even get bird netting with a 250-degree Fahrenheit melting point that also stands up to "sub-zero" temperature environments. And, yes, netting comes in different colors--including white, stone and black, which makes it more aesthetic to building owners. Finally, if electrical conductivity or radio frequency interference is a problem, non-conductive netting is available.Installing Netting to Stay
There are some rough guidelines one should follow when installing bird netting. Growers, for example, should install bird netting by draping it directly over their crops or trees. To protect orchards or vineyards from the ravages of pest birds, netting should be anchored to an overhead fixture. The goal is to totally enclose the area being pestered by birds. In addition, bird netting should be draped high enough to prevent birds from getting at crops using their beaks. Leave the Big Jobs to the ProsTo most efficiently keep pest birds out of an airplane hangar, warehouse or any large area, it usually takes thousands of square feet of bird netting. Maneuvering this much netting accurately into place also calls for special lifts and power gear. Most crews aren't trained to handle jobs of this complexity, which calls for professional expertise. Better to call a professional bird control installer. When bird netting is installed improperly, it will sag and droop, which can leave gaps for pest birds to work their way through.
Flight RisksAirport facilities managers also rely on bird netting to keep pest birds away from runways where birds have been sucked into jet engines. Netting has been used to deter birds from eaves, canopies, support beams and other large open areas in and around airports. Aircraft maintenance facilities must be kept free of bird nests, droppings and feathers, since these can get into delicate engine parts and assemblies. Pest Birds: Anathema to Commercial Buildings OwnersCommercial building owners have used bird netting to keep pest birds and their nests from clogging gutters and drain pipes. Netting has also proven effective in preventing bird droppings from blocking vents, freezing up rooftop ventilators, obscuring light sensors, security cameras, and solar panels. By preventing the buildup of bird droppings and nests, netting has reduced the likelihood of fires in enclosed areas of industrial buildings. Keeping birds out means their bodies can't "arc" across electrical equipment. Or that bird nests can no longer act as kindling for sparks in electrical junction boxes. Big Mesh or Little Mesh?Many facilities managers appreciate the fact that bird netting comes in a variety of mesh sizes to deter a wide range of birds. To deter big birds like pigeons or seagulls, for example, calls for 1-1/8” to 2” mesh size netting. Smaller birds like sparrows or starlings can be efficiently kept out with 3/4" mesh netting. The best bird netting is knotted polyethylene that comes in U.V. treated twine to last longer in tough weather. Strong, Hot or Cold Some manufacturers offer netting that has a 40-pound burst strength and a 10-year guarantee. Others offer bird netting that meets ISO 1806 protocols, is flame resistant, and rot- and water-proof. You can even get bird netting with a 250-degree Fahrenheit melting point that also stands up to "sub-zero" temperature environments. And, yes, netting comes in different colors--including white, stone and black, which makes it more aesthetic to building owners. Finally, if electrical conductivity or radio frequency interference is a problem, non-conductive netting is available.Installing Netting to Stay
There are some rough guidelines one should follow when installing bird netting. Growers, for example, should install bird netting by draping it directly over their crops or trees. To protect orchards or vineyards from the ravages of pest birds, netting should be anchored to an overhead fixture. The goal is to totally enclose the area being pestered by birds. In addition, bird netting should be draped high enough to prevent birds from getting at crops using their beaks. Leave the Big Jobs to the ProsTo most efficiently keep pest birds out of an airplane hangar, warehouse or any large area, it usually takes thousands of square feet of bird netting. Maneuvering this much netting accurately into place also calls for special lifts and power gear. Most crews aren't trained to handle jobs of this complexity, which calls for professional expertise. Better to call a professional bird control installer. When bird netting is installed improperly, it will sag and droop, which can leave gaps for pest birds to work their way through.