Bird Netting

by Alex A. Kecskes

When it comes to effective bird control, plastic bird netting is a humane, low-profile pest bird deterrent. It’s designed to physically exclude birds from damaging your home, garden and trees. The netting is easy to use and can be readily cut to size.

Most plastic bird netting is sold in two roll sizes: 14 x 100 feet and 14 x 200 feet. It also typically comes in three mesh sizes, depending on the bird species you wish to exclude. There’s a 1/4-inch mesh, a 1/2-inch mesh and a 3/4-inch mesh—to exclude pigeons, sparrows, starlings, swallows and other birds. The best plastic bird netting is made of durable, U.V.-protected polypropylene. This netting comes with a 1-year guarantee. It’s strong, light and virtually invisible. Today’s bird netting is even available in various colors to blend in with your trees, garden or home.

There are a number of ways to use plastic bird netting. It all depends on the type of bird and where they’ve become a nuisance. Here are some guidelines to help you from professional bird control experts:

To exclude eave-nesting birds

To prevent pest birds from building nests over your eaves, drape the plastic bird netting at a 45-degree angle over the eave.  Use a 1/4- to 1/2-inch mesh size to block out most eave-nesting birds. Make sure you have enough netting to run from the outer edge of the roof to the side of your house. Install the netting using tape, a staple-gun or hooks. Keep the netting taut and don’t leave any gaps for birds to work their way through.

To save your small fruit and nut trees

To protect small fruit and nut trees (no more than 8 feet tall), tie bird netting at the bottom to prevent birds from becoming tangled in the netting. Leave a space between the fruit and the netting to keep birds from sitting on the branch and eating your fruit through the holes in the netting. To properly install the netting, measure the circumference of the tree and cut the net to size, leaving at least one foot extra around the circumference. Secure the netting with twine, zip ties or hog rings. One manufacturer offers a bird netting kit for fast, easy installation. The kits include perimeter cable, cable crimps, turnbuckles, intermediate attachments, hog rings, and accessories and tools.

To save your bushes, vines and vegetable gardens

To protect your berry bushes, grape vines and vegetable gardens, suspend the plastic netting over these plants by at least 6 inches. This will prevent birds from sitting on the net and eating your fruit through the netting. One effective method of suspending the netting is by using a series of poles planted around the perimeter of the garden area to be protected. To exclude pest birds from your vegetable gardens, wrap each plant or group of plants in netting.

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

Commercial buildings seem to attract pest birds like flies to sugar. The problem is that these buildings have all sorts of places birds just love to hide and build nests in. Birds will gravitate to open beams, lofty attic areas, storage lofts and many other nooks and crannies.

When pest birds roost and nest in these areas, they create a number of problems. Dry nesting materials and feathers make perfect kindling for fires. Any slight spark can ignite these materials and you have the potential for a destructive fire with loss of inventory and escalating insurance rates.

Then there are the droppings. This chemical waste can corrode virtually any material over time, including electrical wiring. Bird droppings can also jam up skylights, windows and rotating rooftop ventilators. And they can create dangerous slip-and-fall hazards for employees. Finally, dried bird droppings in the form of dust can carry any number of serious diseases.

There are, of course, a number of ways to get rid of pest birds. Poisons, BB guns, loud horns may work for a while, but they all have their drawbacks.  One of the most popular solutions is Bird Netting.

Bird netting has been successfully used to block a wide variety of birds from entering unwanted areas. It's a humane, low profile way of blocking out pigeons, sparrows, gulls, starlings and crows. It comes in a variety of stock sizes and custom cuts. You can generally choose from two mesh sizes to deter the species of pest bird that tends to invade your particular commercial building: a 2-inch mesh and 3/4-inch mesh. The best No-Knot Bird Netting has the longest guarantee on the market--10 years.
 
The best Bird Netting is made of flame resistant, multi-strand polypropylene fiber. Polypropylene is chemically inert and highly resistant to a wide range of chemicals at ordinary temperatures. This netting has been ISO 1806 Protocol Mesh tested. Netting will not rot, absorb water, or mildew. It features U.V. inhibitors and can withstand a wide temperature range from 250F to 338F. It is very light, non-conductive and easy to install, yet it boasts a break strength of 50 pounds.

For optimum bird proofing results Bird Netting must be properly installed. Before installing the netting, thoroughly clean all surfaces to make sure they are free of bird droppings, nesting materials, rust, peeling paint or other debris. Netting that is improperly installed can sag or droop, creating gaps that birds can work their way through. Birds are smart and very skilled at poking through nets that are not correctly installed. For best results, cables should be set up around the area and the net should then be attached to this cable. When in doubt about proper installation, consult a bird control expert.

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 proof 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 proof 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 bird 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

Many commercial business facilities and growers suffer from pest bird infestation. Flocks of birds will nest and roost on or in the property, creating all sorts of damage—both to the facility itself and to the products housed therein. Birds can also interfere with workers in a warehouse or customers in a large store. Bird droppings can create slip-and-fall hazards on walkways and loading docks, resulting in a huge legal liability, should someone suffer an injury.

One of the most effective ways to get rid of birds is through the use of Bird Netting. Fortunately there are many types of bird netting, each with its own set of advantages geared to exclude specific types and sizes of birds, as well as the application and venue.

So which bird netting works best for your application? Some guidelines:

Heavy-Duty Polyethylene Bird Netting

Made from a U.V.-stabilized mesh Heavy-Duty bird netting is ideal for use in excluding pigeons, sparrows, gulls, starlings and crows from large outdoor or indoor areas. We’re talking warehouses, big box stores, aircraft hangars and the like. This netting comes in three mesh sizes: 2-inch, 11/8-inch, and 3/4-inch. For large birds like gulls, you would probably need the 2-inch mesh; for smaller birds like sparrows, you’d go with the 3/4-inch mesh. This type of netting will hold up for years in harsh weather conditions. One manufacturer offers a 10-year guarantee. Their poly netting is ISO 1806 protocol mesh tested, flame resistant, rot-proof, and waterproof. It’s also non conductive, which means you can use it around antenna arrays and other electrical equipment.

No Knot Bird Netting

Easy to handle and surprisingly light, No Knot Bird Netting is an effective bird deterrent in keeping pigeons, sparrows, gulls, starlings and crows from outdoor or indoor areas. In fact, this netting is roughly 70 percent stronger than conventional knotted poly netting and nearly 30 percent lighter. It also boasts a higher melting point than ordinary knotted poly netting. Another big plus with No Knot netting is that you don’t have to pull it into shape, something you need to do with other types of netting. Like its heavy-duty cousin, No-Knot netting comes in several mesh sizes, including a 3/4-inch mesh to stop smaller birds like starlings. This netting is fabricated using a multi-strand polypropylene fiber, which is resistant to heat and a number of chemicals, No Knot netting meets ISO 1806 Protocols and won’t rot, absorb water, or mildew.

Ultra Net Plastic Bird Netting

This lightweight plastic mesh netting is ideal for blocking out pigeons, sparrows, gulls, swallows, and crows from bushes, gardens, vines and small trees. The low-profile netting is fabricated out of resilient U.V.-protected polypropylene. You can choose from 3/4-, 1/2-, and 1/4-inch mesh sizes, depending on the bird size. To exclude pest birds from vegetable gardens, carefully wrap each plant in netting. You can also just suspend the netting over the entire garden. To protect blueberry bushes and grape vines, raise the netting 6 inches or so over the bush or vine. This will keep birds’ beaks and claws from getting at these plants. You can also suspend this netting on poles around a tree or large planted section. If birds are invading your fruit trees, cut the netting one-foot wider than the diameter of the tree's crown and tie the netting until it is taut.

Before installing any bird netting on buildings and structures, make sure the surface is clean and dry. Remove bird droppings, feathers and nesting materials. Use commercial disinfecting cleaning agents to prevent exposure to any of the 60 known airborne diseases caused by birds. You should also use eye and respiratory protection if the area is heavily contaminated with bird droppings.

Related articles

• Commercial Building Owners: Got Pest Bird Problems? Bird Netting Has You Covered. (get-rid-of-pigeons.com)
• Pigeons Invade KFC, McDonald's, Donut King and other Food Courts (pigeon-control-products.com)

by Alex A. Kecskes

During a recent Indianapolis winter and spring, flocks of pest birds swooped down upon the city, dropping their “loads” on office windows, covering everything, it seemed, with brown splotches of disease-carrying droppings. Starlings by the thousands coated the city’s prized Soldiers and Sailors monument, as well as the sidewalks with droppings that crunched disgustingly under every pedestrian footfall. Many residents of the proud city were forced to remove their shoes before entering their homes, letting their shoes sit outside doorsteps and entrances, lest they contaminate their homes with the smelly droppings. For the most part, residents and visitors to the city found themselves tiptoeing around the droppings and holding their breath to avoid any of the 60 known diseases--including histoplasmosis or bird flu--carried by bird droppings.

If only the City Fathers had implemented effective bird proofing measures before their starling invasion. Chief among such measures would have been Bird Netting.

One of the best types of netting to use is Heavy-Duty Polyethylene Bird Netting. Fabricated from a U.V.-stabilized mesh and available in various stock sizes and custom cuts, Heavy-Duty Poly netting is easily installed and blankets key areas of a structure--those most likely to attract pest birds--with an effective bird barrier. For smaller birds like starlings, a 3/4-inch mesh would do the trick. Some manufacturers offer this type of netting in a variety of colors to blend in aesthetically with the structure or building. This type of bird netting is ISO 1806 protocol mesh tested, flame resistant, rot-proof, and waterproof. Depending on the location, one might even consider getting non-conductive netting, which won’t interfere with electrical wiring or cell phone, dish and other RF antenna systems.

Another type of bird netting that has been proven effective as a bird guard is No Knot Bird Netting. This netting is nearly 70 percent stronger than conventional knotted polyethylene netting and about 30 percent lighter, so it’s less expensive to ship and easier to handle. It also has a higher melting point than regular knotted polyethylene netting. Ideal for larger, horizontal applications, No Knot netting doesn’t need to be pulled into shape, which is often a requirement of ordinary knotted poly netting. No-Knot bird netting is available in various mesh sizes, including a 3/4-inch mesh to stop smaller birds like sparrows and starlings. Made of a multi-strand polypropylene fiber that's highly resistant to heat and many chemicals, No Knot netting meets ISO 1806 Protocols. It will not rot, absorb water, or mildew. It even contains U.V. inhibitors to tolerate high temperatures to 338F.

When installing any kind of bird netting, leave no gaps, openings, wrinkles or excessive sag in the netting. Most bird netting can be easily cut to size and shaped using scissors. Before cutting, allow extra netting for perimeter fastening and overlap seams (6" min. for both). Finally, be sure you cut a larger piece of netting than what's needed for the job.

Before installing bird netting, make sure the surface is clean and dry. Remove bird droppings, feathers and nesting materials. (Birds are attracted to this debris and “zero in” on the area thinking it’s safe.) Use commercial disinfecting cleaning agents to prevent exposure to any of the 60 known airborne diseases caused by birds. You should also use eye and respiratory protection if the area is heavily contaminated with bird droppings.

by Alex A. Kecskes

Okay, you've tried noisemakers and BB guns, waving and shouting--and still the pest birds come. In bigger and bigger flocks. Pooping and nesting and doing all sorts of damage. It's costing you time and money. If only there was something you could do to keep them out of your area. Something humane, because you really don't want to hurt the little pests. You just want them to get discouraged and leave your property alone. They've caused you so much grief and expense that you're ready to open your window, stick out your head and yell, "I'm not going to take it anymore!"

You Need Bird Repellent Netting

Growers and farmers know first hand just how much damage pest birds can cause to cornfields, fruit orchards and vineyards. They've seen pest birds eat their prized blueberries and blackberries. They've watched helplessly as winged pests invaded their barns, stockyards and chicken coops. They're also painfully aware that bird droppings, bird nests and the mites birds carry pose a serious health hazard, since birds have been known to carry any of 60 known diseases. In fact, most people who have been on the receiving end of pest birds know that sparrows and feral pigeons can carry bacteria causing Salmonellosis. Feral Pigeons have been known to carry Ornithosis, a serious disease that resembles viral pneumonia. Clearly, it's time for a pest bird deterrent that works. The solution? Bird repellent netting.A Solution Facilities Managers Will Love

Facilities or plant managers throughout the world are no strangers to the damage caused by pest birds. The feathered pests have invaded aircraft hangars, factories or warehouses, causing damage to delicate aircraft engines, assembly lines and equipment. Pest birds love to gather--often in the hundreds--in eaves, canopies, support beams and other large covered areas. Keeping these pest from invading such sensitive areas can save you time and money. And one way to keep them out is through the use of quality constructed bird repellent netting.

Many a facilities manager or building owner has had to deal with the problems caused by bird droppings. Unsightly and unhealthy, these droppings can clog gutters and down pipes, "freeze up" ceiling windows and vents, and cause rooftop turbine ventilators to grind to a halt. Over time, bird droppings can ruin most surfaces, block light sensors and security cameras, and render solar panels inefficient or entirely ineffective. Many a fire has been traced to bird droppings that shorted out wires or destroyed electrical insulation. Bird netting, properly applied, can prevent many of these problems.

Experienced  warehouse managers will tell you that bird droppings can spoil packaged products in loading bays and storage areas. Pest birds not only damage finished goods, but ruin their appearance. Another potentially expensive problem caused by bird droppings is that people can slip-and-fall on them,  creating a costly legal liability for the property owner. Again, bird repellent netting can keep out the pests that lead to these problems.

Getting the Right Bird Repellent Netting

Bird netting comes in a wide range of types and mesh sizes. Installed properly, it's nearly invisible and blends in with a building or structure's architecture. If you have a problem with large birds like pigeons or seagulls, you might consider a 1-1/8” to 2” mesh size net. For birds like sparrows or starlings, you should opt for a 3/4" mesh net. Better repellent netting usually meets ISO 1806 protocols and will last longer. The best netting is also U.V. stabilized, flame resistant and rot- and water-proof. Something to consider if you plan on installing netting outdoors where it's exposed to the elements. Today, some of the best bird repellent netting can withstand fairly harsh temperature extremes--from flame resistant 250 degree F melting point to "sub-zero" temperatures. In areas where electrical conductivity or radio frequency interference is a problem, you might opt for non-conductive netting.

If you want to keep pest birds away from aircraft hangars, garages, factories, warehouses, and large canopies, there's heavy-duty bird netting made of high-strength polyethylene. For those who may be worried that netting will detract from a building's architecture or aesthetics, today's netting comes in several colors, including white, stone and black. Some manufacturers offer resilient, knotted polyethylene bird repellent netting that comes in U.V. treated twine for lasting durability. With a netting burst strength as high as 40 pounds, it's easy to see why some manufacturers offer long guarantee--up to 10-years--on their netting.

Growers should install bird repellent netting by draping the net directly over their crops or trees. For orchards or vineyards, netting should be anchored to an overhead structure, which allows it to completely enclose the area. Netting should be draped high enough to prevent birds from sticking their beaks through to access crops. To save you time, some manufacturers will custom cut the netting you need.

Finally, to properly cover an airplane hangar, warehouse or any large area, you'll need thousands of square feet of bird repellent netting. You'll also need special lifts and power gear. When working with bird net on this level, it's prudent to call in a professional bird control installer. For if you fail to install bird netting properly, it will sag and droop, leaving gaps for pest birds to enter. And you don't want that.

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.