Bird Netting

by Alex A. Kecskes

With spring almost upon us, pest birds will be scouting out new locations for nesting and roosting. They can do a lot of damage to your store. Here's one area of your store that may be particularly vulnerable and what you can do to protect it.

Problem: Store signage—whether it's constructed of glass, metal, plastic or even a composite material—is attractive to most pest birds.  Signs are usually elevated and often have a number of nooks and crannies where birds can conceal themselves from predators. Birds also like the warmth many signs offer, which comes from the lighted bulbs inside.  During daylight hours, sun filters into glass and plastic and acts like a solarium for birds, keeping them nice and toasty.

When birds build nests in signs, they leave droppings, feathers and other debris in and around them. This material is perfect kindling for starting a fire. But even if they don't start a fire, these materials are unsightly and block out light. Eventually, the droppings will eat into the signage materials and destroy the sign. Either way, you're faced with some very expensive repair and cleanup costs.
 
Associated with birds nesting in signs is the problem of bird droppings right below the sings. This can lead to dangerous slip-and-fall hazards for both employees and customers. The legal liability here can be ruinously expensive.

The Solution:  The are a number of ways you can keep pest birds away from your signs. One of the best ways is to use bird netting. This is a far better alternative than bird poisons or BB guns—the former presents a health problem; the latter can leave holes in your sign. 

Bird netting is humane and proven effective in excluding birds from signage. Birds like sparrows, starlings and pigeons can't penetrate the netting to land, so they simply move on to a more hospitable home. The best netting is Heavy-Duty Polyethylene Bird Netting. It's made from a U.V. stabilized mesh and comes in various stock sizes and custom cuts. Depending on the bird you're tying to keep out and the size of your sign, you have three choices: a 2-inch mesh, 1 1/8-inch mesh, and 3/4-inch mesh.

Look for bird netting that is ISO 1806 protocol mesh tested. It should also be flame resistant with a 270-degree F. melting point—some signs get really hot. You'll want your netting to last through hot and cold weather, so opt for bird netting that's rot-proof, non-conductive and stable in sub zero temperatures. One manufacturer offers bird netting that's fabricated using 6 monofilaments, each12/1000s of an inch thick. Twisted together to produce a sturdy twine, the monofilaments help give this net a breaking strength that exceeds 40 lbs. Bird Netting like this comes with a 10-year guarantee. This type of bird netting is very durable and often specified by architects.

For best results, you should install bird netting now, before pest birds begin arriving in the spring. In addition, the netting should be correctly installed (a qualified bird control expert can help you).  Before installation, be sure to clean all contact surfaces of bird droppings, nesting materials, rust, peeling paint or other debris. Improperly installed bird netting can sag or droop, creating gaps that birds can work their way through.

by Alex A. Kecskes

Tired of messy walkways under windows and eaves? Annoyed by ugly bird nests that attract bugs and spread disease? You’re not alone.  Millions of home and building owners endure the clean-up expense of pest birds nesting under eaves.

The species of birds most commonly found nesting in eaves are sparrows, swallows, house martins and starlings. When these birds build nests under you eaves, they can create a big problem. The mess immediately below a nest can be very unsightly and requires constant cleaning from spring to autumn. These nests are invariably constructed above a door or window, where they create the most mess. The wall below a nest is often an unattractive mess and not easy to clean. Worst of all, once these birds start nesting, there's not much you can do until they leave. It’s against the law to disturb nesting birds. Which is why bird proofing and bird control measures should be installed before the birds arrive.

One highly effective bird-proofing tactic is to physically exclude pest birds from your eaves. This is easily accomplished using Bird Netting. When you deny birds access to your eaves, they’ll look for other suitable nesting spots. If you decide to buy the netting, be sure to get the proper mesh size for the bird you are trying to exclude.  For most eave-nesting birds, a 1/4- to 1/2-inch mesh size will keep them out. Make certain you get enough netting to stretch from the outer edge of the roof to the side of your house. Install the netting using tape, a staple-gun or hooks, and be sure it extends from your roof’s edge all the way to the wall so it completely blocks access to your eaves.

Another popular bird proofing measure is to install a product called Bird Slope. Rather than excluding pest birds, the sloped, super smooth PVC panels make it impossible for them to land.  They’re an ideal bird deterrent you can use under eaves, ledges and beams. Bird Slope panels come in 4-foot lengths and they’re easy to install on virtually any flat surface using screws, nails or glue. Look for high quality panels that features a “snap on” extender—this lets you easily adapt the panels to ledges as wide as 10 inches. The best panels will come with mounting clips, which make it easy to install the slopes vertically on the sides of your house. These better Bird Slopes will also come with “end caps” to keep birds from sneaking behind the slope.

Most Bird Slopes are 2–3/4-inches wide, so you can easily attach them to your home using an outdoor polyurethane adhesive.  Bird slope panels are now available in two colors--stone and grey--to be less conspicuous when installed. The best slope panels are fabricated of U.V.-protected PVC and are more resistant to weather extremes.

You might also consider supplementing either of the above two deterrents with Bird Scare devices or Bird Frighteners.  These economical bird-proofing measures consist of Banners, Flash Tape and Balloons. Banners and flash tape reflect sunlight and snap in the wind, which make birds feel uneasy. Balloons have large, predator eyes that make pest birds very nervous. Bird Scare devices are easy to hang from most eaves. The one thing to remember here is that you should move these deterrents around from time to time or birds will get used to them.

Remember, too, that for best deterrent effect, you should install bird proofing measures before pest birds arrive.

By Fran Prisco

Airplane hangars have often become a natural habitat for birds.  They are wide open, offer shelter and ideal nesting areas. Clinton Air Force Base in Oklahoma had six hangars with 200-300 house sparrows in each hangar. Lockbourne Air Base in Ohio had 2,000 to 3,000 house sparrows between three hangars with an additional 2,000-3,000 starlings.  Along with these birds come the droppings and debris they leave behind.  Bird droppings, accumulating on the aluminum skin of airplanes, can corrode the metal and eventually weaken the structure itself. Another serious concern is that if droppings, feathers, and other matter get into the engines, critically important parts must be cleaned as they could stop an engine during flight. Cleaning an aircraft engine is very expensive and time consuming.

Pest bird droppings can also pose significant health risks, carrying and transmitting any of 60 known diseases. Sparrows and Feral Pigeons can carry bacteria causing Salmonellosis. Feral Pigeons carry Ornithosis, which is similar to viral pneumonia. Not only do the droppings and debris left behind by birds damage the airplanes kept in hangars, they are also dangerous to the personal working on the planes.

Problem:  Pest birds are causing added maintenance to aircraft and endangering airline personal with their droppings and debris.  Thousands of dollars spent each year on cleaning aircraft skins, engines and airplane hangar infrastructures. 

Solution:  Install bird netting in the airplane hanger.  Bird netting is an exclusionary bird control system.  Once installed, pest birds are excluded from the area being protected by the bird net.  It is often necessary to install bird netting on the sides of the walls as well as under the roof.  The goal is to block off any areas that pest birds will find attractive to land, roost and nest.  Once installed, the bird netting is virtually invisible and will need very little maintenance.  In fact there are bird net installations inside airplane hangars that have gone untouched for well over 10 years and are still as effective as the day that they where installed.

When choosing bird netting to install in an airplane hangar or any area, be sure to get heavy-duty bird netting that has a break strength of at least 45 pounds.  This ensures that the netting will be strong enough to keep birds from defeating it.  Bird netting comes in various mesh sizes.  The ¾ inch mesh bird netting is ideal for all types of birds, the mesh is small enough so that even small birds like sparrows cannot get through.  If large birds like pigeons and gulls are the issue, choose a bird netting with a 2-inch mesh size, this can save a lot of money for large bird netting jobs.

If the bird netting installation looks to be too complicated, look for a professional bird control installer in your area that can help.   Manufacturers of bird control products can usually suggest the right person or company for the job.

by Alex A. Kecskes

As any commercial business owner knows, signage is not cheap. Good signage is, in most cases, a custom order and represents the identity of the business. In addition to being informative, it projects who you are and what you stand for. All the more reason to protect that image and keep it sterling and clean.

One of the biggest threats to commercial signage is the pest bird. They can deface and destroy virtually any sign whether it's constructed of plastic, wood, metal or a composite of these materials. This is because most bird droppings contain high levels of acid, which over time, can eat into and corrode almost any material.

By the way, nesting materials and feathers make perfect kindling for fires. When these materials gather near electrical signage wiring or bulbs, it's an accident waiting to happen. Signs have been known ignite and plastic signs, especially, go up like a dry Christmas tree.

Another problem with birds and signage is that birds who nest and roost in signs often leave bird droppings on the entryways and walkways directly below them. This can lead to dangerous slip-and-fall hazards for both employees and customers. The legal liability here is almost too costly to think about.

There are a number of ways you can address your bird problem. Bird poisons are one way, but they are inhumane, and dead birds falling at the entrance of your business can turn away customers. The preferred solution is to use Heavy Duty Bird Netting.

Bird netting is an exclusionary bird barrier that has been proven to keep birds out of signage. Birds like sparrow, starlings and pigeons can't penetrate the netting and so they simply move on. Since most signs are located on the exterior of commercial enterprises, it just makes sense to get the most durable Bird Netting you can find.  After all, if you're going to go to the trouble of installing netting, you might as well get netting that lasts.

Here's the thing with Heavy-Duty polyethylene Bird Netting. It's made from a U.V. stabilized mesh and comes in various stock sizes and custom cuts. Depending on the bird you're tying to exclude and the size of your sign, you have three choices: a 2-inch mesh, 1 1/8-inch mesh, and 3/4-inch mesh.

The best netting is ISO 1806 protocol mesh tested. It's flame resistant with a 270-degree F. melting point. This caliber of netting is also rot-proof, non-conductive and stable in sub zero temperatures. The netting is made using 6 monofilaments, each12/1000s of an inch thick. Twisted together to produce a sturdy twine, the monofilaments help give this net a breaking strength that exceeds 40 lbs. Bird Netting like this comes with a 10-year guarantee. It's highly efficient and effective, so much so that it's specified by architects.

To remain effective, Heavy Duty Bird Netting must be properly installed. Before installation, all contact surfaces should be thoroughly cleaned and free of bird droppings, nesting materials, rust, peeling paint or other debris. Improperly installed Bird Netting can sag or droop, creating gaps that birds can claw through.

by Alex A. Kecskes

Year after year, pest birds cost homeowners, businesses and cities millions in property damage. While many have tried all sorts of repellents and deterrents, the birds just keep on coming. Shotguns, propane cannons, firecrackers, flares, even using predator attack birds to seek out and kill the pests have failed. There is one solution that many have adopted as an effective pest bird deterrent.

Netting…the Pest Bird Barrier that Works

Bird proof netting has been proven to be effective as a physical barrier in large indoor and outdoor areas. It has kept pest birds out of courtyards, patios, storage yards and similar areas. Thanks to bird proof netting, property owners worldwide have been spared considerable cleanup and repair expenses. Netting has also prevented the slip-and-fall accidents that have cost many property owners prohibitively expensive personal injury settlements.

Safeguarding Food

Bird proof netting has been used to keep pest birds away from restaurants, in particular, outdoor eateries. Birds, as any purveyor of food will tell you, love to hide in nooks and crannies to swoop down on tables and patios to annoy customers. Bird droppings splattered on signs, tables, chairs and entryways can ruin the reputation of even the finest bistro or outdoor café. And health inspectors, fully aware that birds can carry any of 60 known diseases, can and will cite a restaurant littered with bird droppings and nest debris.

Birds and Planes Don't Mix

Most people have read or heard about pest birds like seagulls being sucked into a plane's jet engines.  This not only results in an expensive repair, but a catastrophic emergency landing. Bird netting has been widely used in airports to discourage pest birds from nesting in and around airport facilities and terminals. Netting can also keep pest birds from nesting in aircraft maintenance hangars. Facilities managers are well aware that droppings, feathers and other nesting materials can easily get into delicate engine parts and assemblies. The result can be a huge expense and even engine failure in flight.

Keeping Pest Birds out of Factories and Warehouses

Those who own and run factories and warehouses know the damage pest birds can cause. Their nests and droppings can get into production equipment and stall a line. Quality control departments hate any kind of bird infestation on or near their product--whether in production or in an expediting warehouse. Bird proof netting can keep pest birds out of these areas. Netting has also been successfully used in preventing birds from nesting on rooftops. This can keep pest bird droppings from blocking vents, freezing up rooftop ventilators, obscuring light sensors, security cameras, and solar panels. Bird proof netting has also prevented fires by keeping birds away from wires and electrical equipment.

Choosing the Right Bird Proof Netting

In the old days, there was just one-size-fits-all bird netting. Today, bird netting comes in a number of different mesh sizes to deter all manner of pest birds. For pigeons or seagulls, there's 1-1/8” to 2” mesh size netting. For little birds that seem to get into everything--like sparrows or starlings--there's 3/4" mesh netting. Look for knotted polyethylene bird netting made of U.V. treated twine if you want the stuff to last in harsh weather.

Netting has Come a Long Way

To get bird proof netting that really lasts, opt for products that meet ISO 1806 protocols. Look for netting that's flame resistant, and rot- and water-proof. Some manufacturers offer bird netting that has a 250-degree Fahrenheit melting point and can hold up in "sub-zero" temperatures. If you're concerned about aesthetics, you can now get netting in different colors--including white, stone and black. There's also non-conductive netting for applications where electrical conductivity or radio frequency interference preclude metallic netting. One manufacturer offers bird proof netting that has a 40-pound burst strength and a 10-year guarantee.

Netting Installation

Installing bird proof netting is pretty straightforward and simple. If you're a grower, you can simply drape the netting directly over your crop or tree. Be sure to anchor the netting to an overhead fixture and completely enclose the area to seal up any gaps where birds might sneak in.

For Airplane Hangar, Warehouses, etc.

For really big jobs, there are certain things to keep in mind when installing bird proof netting. For example, to properly install netting in an airplane hangar or warehouse area, one would require thousands of square feet of bird netting. Installing netting this size usually requires special lifts and power gear. Your average maintenance crew really isn't trained or equipped to handle jobs of this size and complexity. Instead, it's usually better to call in a professional to do the job. Keep in mind that if bird netting is not properly installed, it can easily sag and droop, leaving gaps for pest birds to enter and wreak havoc.

by Alex A. Kecskes

These days, airlines have enough to concern themselves with: escalating building maintenance costs, bad weather, rising utilities expenses, tight budgets. But there is one problem they don't need right now.

Problem:
Pest birds. Our fine-feathered friends can quickly become a major problem in airline hangars. Without effective pest bird barriers to exclude them, hangar operators spend millions of dollars annually in maintenance and cleanup costs. The problem is, birds like to settle in and build their nests in all those lofty areas inside a hangar. Those high beams, ducts, crevices, nooks and crannies are kept nice and warm by aircraft engines being tested and other equipment. It doesn't take long for pest birds to gather in numbers and create all sorts of headaches for airline hanger operators.

One big headache is bird droppings. These can damage many areas of an aircraft, including exposed engines and assemblies—electrical and mechanical. The acidic chemicals in droppings can eat into metal, plastic and rubber surfaces, causing significant damage that may cause engines and hydraulic systems to fail--even in flight.

Not as alarming, but also expensive is the damage pest birds can cause to the hanger. For example, bird droppings and nesting materials can clog gutters and down pipes. They can also block grilles, ducts and vents, and they can damage expensive HVAC systems. Left to gather, bird droppings can also block skylights and freeze up security camera mechanisms. And, since most airline hangers have smooth concrete floors, bird droppings can create dangerous slip-and-fall hazards that result in serious injury to workers and visitors—either way, you're looking at costly medical bills and possible litigation. The right kind of bird control can reduce or prevent these problems.

Remember, once pest birds invade a hangar to nest and roost, it takes a lot to get them to finally leave. Which is why keeping them out in the first place is so important. Fortunately, there are effective and humane bird barrier products you can install to keep pest birds out of airline hangars.

Solution:
No Knot Bird Netting. The idea here is to exclude pest birds from the hangar areas they like most--all those high places that are warm and safe and cozy for nest building.  The best way to do that is with No Knot Bird Netting. Made of flame resistant polypropylene, this heavy-duty professional grade netting is chemically inert and highly resistant to a wide range of chemicals and temperatures. It will not rot, absorb water, or mildew. And it's ISO 1806 Protocol Mesh Tested and U.V. stabilized to last.  If you've been troubled with pigeons, sparrows, starlings, crows and gulls, this is the bird netting to block them out. It comes in various stock sizes and custom cuts--including 2- and 3/4-inch mesh. It's also very light, easy to handle and simple to install. You can even get this netting in several different colors--including white, stone and black to blend in better with your hanger.

If your hangar tends to draw bats, you might consider getting some Bat Netting. This heavy-duty netting is ideal for keeping these pests out of secluded or semi-secluded areas. The best bat netting is U.V. protected with a 3/8-inch mesh. It comes in different sizes--typically 10’x10’, 25’x25’, 50’x50’, and 50'x100'. One manufacturer even offers a 10-year guarantee.

Installing bird netting is simple and straightforward. The objective is to properly seal off any openings around the edges, nooks and crannies. Birds are smart and will eventually discover a way around the net if you give them the slightest opening.
 
Remember, the best bird prevention strategy is to plan ahead. That means installing bird netting in areas you anticipate birds might nest and roost. If you do this before birds invade your airline hanger, it will be bird free and your maintenance costs will surely go down.

by Alex A. Kecskes

Pest birds can be both a hazard and an expensive nuisance when they nest and gather in  hangars, under overhangs, warehouses and other large covered areas. But thanks to bird netting, many of these problems can be avoided.

Clearly the most obvious problem created by pest birds is their droppings. These can quickly clog gutters and down pipes. They can also cause ceilings, rooftop turbine ventilators, siding windows and doors to seize up. And they can rapidly deteriorate corrugated metal surfaces, block light sensors and security cameras. Left unchecked, these bird by-products can lead to structural damage and huge repair costs. Equally problematic, bird droppings deposited on entrances and fire escapes can create slip-and-fall hazards for maintenance crews, which can become a huge legal liability to public and private enterprises. Bird netting can solve these problems by keeping pest birds out using a proven humane method.

Without bird netting, one would also have to contend with the incessant and irritating noise pest birds produce when they gather in sizeable numbers. And they do tend to gather in large commercial areas. In warehouses, for example, bird droppings can spoil finished products in loading bays and storage areas. They can severely stain and damage goods, and mar the appearance of costly finished goods and metal panels.

Pest birds can also be a health hazard, carrying and transmitting any of 60 known diseases. Sparrows and Feral Pigeons can carry bacteria causing Salmonellosis. Feral Pigeons carry Ornithosis, which is similar to viral pneumonia. Birds, bird droppings and their nesting materials contain insects and mites. These insects can damage property, foods and fabrics stored in warehouses. 

Thankfully, bird netting offers an effective bird control solution that's ideal for a broad range of commercial uses. Bird netting can control many bird species and is often suggested as a bird deterrent by architects. Some netting is U.V. stabilized, flame resistant and rot and waterproof. It comes in different mesh sizes to control pest birds without trapping them. For large birds like pigeons and seagulls, a 1-1/8” to 2” mesh size is recommended. For smaller birds like sparrows and starlings, a smaller size mesh ¾” is recommended.

Heavy-duty bird netting is made of high strength polyethylene. This type of bird netting is ideal for keeping pest birds from entering air hangars, garages, factories, warehouses, eaves, and canopies. Netting comes in a number of colors, including white, stone and black.  Black bird netting offers natural U.V. protection and won't discolor when it gets dirty and dusty. Installed properly, this type of bird netting is virtually invisible.

Sturdy knotted polyethylene bird netting comes in U.V. treated twine for long life and can have a burst strength as high as 40 pounds. Most of these nets are flame resistant and have a high melting point. Heavy-duty bird netting is ideal for use in warehouses, airplane hangars, canopies, overhangs and other large areas where pest birds need to be controlled.

Covering an airplane hangar, warehouse or other large area with sufficient bird netting calls for thousands of square feet of netting and special lifts and power equipment. A job like this usually requires a professional bird control installer, if the bird netting is improperly installed, it will sag and droop. This will create gaps that allow pest birds to enter. A cable should be set up  around the perimeter of the area being netted off, and the net attached to this cable.

Bird netting is a wise investment for any facilities manager in charge of warehouses, hangars and large buildings where pest birds tend to gather. The yearly savings each year in property damage, damaged goods and health risks is worth the cost of any bird-netting project.

Birds can be considered a pest when they decide to roost or nest in areas where their feces and debris can be considered a hazard.  Each year building owners and homeowners spend countless hours and money cleaning up after and repairing the damage caused by pest birds. Not only are these problems unsightly; pest birds and their feces can spread 60 plus transmittable diseases. Safety, sanitation and health hazards caused by bird droppings can pose serious liability risks, and left untreated, can lead to accidents and lawsuits. Bird feces, bird nests and debris can also create a bad public image with tenants and patrons. Individuals, companies and government agencies are tired of cleaning up bird feces or repairing the damage that is caused by pest birds and their droppings. Instead they have decided to invest in a Bird Control Solution, which is often as simple as installing bird netting.

Bird netting is used to exclude pest birds from areas such as rooftops, warehouses, airline hangars, overhangs, eaves of homes and other enclosed areas that pest birds are to be kept out of.  Netting will provide 100% exclusion of pest birds and is a long-term bird control solution.  Bird netting comes in several different mesh sizes ranging from ¾” mesh for use with all types of birds, to 2” mesh to use when larger birds like pest pigeons and seagulls are a problem.  Netting comes in several colors as well; white, stone and black.  Black bird netting is usually preferred because of its natural U.V. protection and lack of discoloration due to dirt and dust.  When installed properly, the netting will be virtually invisible, not interfering with the architectural features of a building.

Choosing the right bird netting:

There are several types of bird netting available.  There is knotted polyethylene netting that is considered long lasting and heavy duty.  You would use this type of netting where you want a permanent solution to your bird control issues.  Heavy-duty bird netting is usually manufactured using U.V. treated twine providing long life.  Strength of these nets can be greater than 40 lbs. burst.  The nets will also have a high melting point and flame resistant.  Heavy-duty bird netting is ideal for use in warehouses, airplane hangars, canopies, overhangs and other large areas where pest birds are to be excluded.

Another type of bird netting is Polypropylene extruded plastic netting.  This is a strong plastic bird netting used to exclude pest birds from homes and gardens.  It is strong yet lightweight, easy to use and install.  Plastic bird netting is often used to protect crops and orchards from pest birds.  It is ideal to protect blueberries, fruit trees and other garden plants.  Hanging plastic bird netting from the eaves of your home can protect it from such pest birds as swallows and woodpeckers. Plastic bird netting is not a long term netting product with about one year of usage.

Bird netting comes in different mesh sizes.  Choosing the correct mesh size is important.  You do not want the birds to be able to get into the netted off area and become stuck or trapped.  For larger birds such as pigeons and seagulls you can use a 1-1/8” to 2” mesh size.  For smaller birds such as sparrows and starlings use a ¾” to ½” mesh size.  When using plastic netting to protect berries and grapes, use a ¼” mesh size.

Installing bird netting:

Commercial installations for bird netting can get complicated depending on the size of the area to be protected and the material that the netting will be attached to.  Netting off the infrastructure of an airplane hangar can require thousands of square feet of netting and special equipment such as lifts and power equipment to install the net.  It is often recommended to use a professional bird control installer to get the job done correctly.  There are bird control installers throughout the country that have experience in installing bird netting in large quantities and complicated jobs.

Installations of bird netting on your home or in your garden can easily be done yourself.  For use in the garden you will cover your favorite plants with the plastic bird netting.  Draping the ¼” mesh plastic bird netting over fruit trees will protect the fruit from pest birds.  It may be necessary to hire a professional to hang the netting from the eaves of our home, especially in multi-storied houses

by Alex A. Kecskes

One of the most effective ways to deter pest birds is through the use of bird netting.
Growers and farmers have discovered that this is a great way to keep cornfields, fruit orchards and vineyards from being ravaged.  For example, lightweight plastic mesh netting is ideal for protecting fruit trees, blueberry bushes, gardens, vineyards, eaves and more from pest birds. This netting is virtually invisible, available in large sizes, and easy to work with. Better bird netting is U.V. protected to last longer. Lightweight bird netting can also be used as a temporary barrier to block birds from getting into storage garages, barns and warehouses.

Installing Bird Netting

There are a variety of ways to install lightweight bird netting. For fruit trees, vegetable gardens, blueberry bushes and grape vines, the netting should be suspended. When draping over a fruit tree, measure the circumference of the tree and cut the net so that you are left with at least one foot extra. You should then secure the netting with twine, zip ties, or hog rings.

For blueberry bushes and grape vines, suspend the netting over the bush or vine and allow at least 6 inches of space. This will prevent pest birds from sitting on the net and poking their heads and beaks through the net to get at your fruit. One common way to suspend the netting over the bush or vine is to use a series of poles placed around the perimeter. If you want to protect vegetable gardens, you can either wrap the individual plants in netting or suspend the netting around the entire garden. Finally, to keep pest birds out of eaves and similar open spaces, the best lightweight bird netting comes with handy clips. You can also use a staple gun to secure the netting around the perimeter.

Heavy-Duty Bird Netting

For larger more demanding applications, there's heavy-duty bird netting. This netting is constructed of strong polyethylene and is typically used to block pest birds from entering air hangars, garages, factories, warehouses, canopies and other large areas. The best netting is this category is usually a U.V. resistant mesh, meets ISO 1806 mesh test standards and comes with a long guarantee--10 years. Some heavy-duty bird netting is rot proof, waterproof, flame resistant and sub-zero stable. This netting is available in various sizes and custom cuts and is preferred by architects. Heavy-duty bird netting should be installed properly or it will sag or droop. This can create gaps that birds can squeeze through. For best results, a cable should be set up around the perimeter of the netted area, and the net should then be attached to this cable.

Bat Netting

If your facility or property is troubled by bats, you can get bat netting. This bird netting is 3/8” mesh and is typically available in 10’x10’, 25’x25’, and 50’x50’ sizes. It will block bats from getting into eaves, attics, garages, and similar areas. The best bat netting is made from a strong polyethylene mesh, and carries a long guarantee—as long as 10 years. Bat netting is installed much like most heavy-duty bird netting. Once a perimeter cable is set up, the net is secured to this cable and pulled taught around all edges to close up any gaps.

Why You Need Bird Netting

You don't have to be a grower or vintner to appreciate the value of bird netting. Facilities managers and building owners know that pest birds can invade their property, causing extensive damage to courtyards, patios, storage yards and other open areas.

One big problem with pest birds is their droppings. These pose a serious health hazard, since it's well known birds can carry any of 60 diseases. Bird nests and the mites that attach themselves to their feathers compound the problem. Feral pigeons, for example have been known to carry a bacterium that causes Salmonellosis. Pigeons can also carry Ornithosis, a disease that resembles viral pneumonia. Bird netting is the effective barrier deterrent that can keep out these disease carrying pests.

Airport managers know that pest birds can be a major headache in aircraft hangars. Facilities managers realize that when birds gather in eaves, canopies, support beams and other large open areas, bird droppings and nesting debris can end up in engines and delicate aviation parts and assemblies. What's more, when bird droppings fall onto the smooth floors in hangars, they can create serious slip-and-fall hazards. Bird netting is an effective deterrent that can prevent pest birds from nesting in these areas.

In general, most building owners, whether private or public, will suffer from the invasion of pest birds. For example, bird droppings and nests can block gutters, drain pipes, and vents. They can jam up turbine ventilators, block light sensors, obscure security cameras, and ruin solar panels. Pest bird nests can also create ideal conditions for starting fires, as their dry twig and feathers make ideal kindling. Again, bird netting can keep out many of the birds that create these problems.

Finally, food processors, packagers and other food intensive areas can suffer dearly from pest birds. Health inspectors visiting these facilities don't look kindly at pest bird infestations in these areas. They know that bird droppings can create all sorts of health hazards for foods being processed and readied for shipment. Birds can also eat into packaged products in loading docks and warehouses. Bird net can keep pest birds out of these sensitive areas.

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 Netting

Facilities 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 Risks

Airport 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 Owners

Commercial 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 Pros

To 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.