Bird Netting

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

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

There are songbirds, lovebirds and pet birds. And then there are pest birds. Birds we can all do without. Birds we don't want to harm--we just want them to stay away. One way to do that is the subject of this article.

Bird Netting for Facilities Managers

If you're a facilities or plant manager, you undoubtedly know that pest birds can cost you a ton of money and aggravation . They can easily invade your aircraft hangar, factory or warehouse, gathering by the hundreds in eaves, canopies and other large covered areas. Support beams make ideal landing, roosting and nesting areas for these pest birds. If you don't keep them out with deterrents like bird netting, you'll have to contend with all sorts of problems.

One of the biggest problems with pest birds is bird droppings. Aside from being unsightly and unhealthy, droppings can stop up gutters and down pipes. They can also "freeze up" ceiling windows and vents, as well as rooftop turbine ventilators and siding windows. Bird droppings can eat into corrugated metal surfaces, cover light sensors and security cameras, even block out those new solar panels you just installed to save energy. In fact, the acid in bird droppings can eat into electrical equipment to create a fire hazard. If you manage  a warehouse, bird droppings can spoil finished products in loading bays and storage areas. They can damage goods, and ruin the appearance of expensive finished goods. And something few facilities managers think about are slip-and-fall hazards created by bird droppings--this can become a costly legal liability should a worker or visitor become injured.

All the more reason you need an effective bird deterrent like bird netting. The good thing about today's bird netting is that it's virtually invisible and blends in with the visual aesthetic of a structure's architecture.

Bird Netting For Growers

If you're a grower or farmer, you've seen the damage pest birds can cause to cornfields, fruit orchards, and vineyards. How quickly they can attack blueberries and blackberries, and how they can invade barns, stockyards and chicken coops. And because you deal in food, you know that bird droppings, bird nests and the mites that infest them can present a health hazard, carrying and transmitting any of 60 known diseases. Sparrows and Feral Pigeons, for example, can carry bacteria causing Salmonellosis. Feral Pigeons carry Ornithosis, which resembles viral pneumonia. You may have heard about bird netting, but you'd like to know more. If so, read on.

Bird Netting…Types and Sizes

So what kind of bird netting should you get? The good news is, there's a bird net for virtually every bird type and size. For large birds like pigeons and seagulls, you should go with a 1-1/8” to 2” mesh size. For smaller birds like sparrows and starlings, a smaller size in the area of 3/4" mesh would be best. Opt for ISO 1806 protocol mesh test netting for lasting strength. Some manufacturers will even custom cut the netting you need. Others offer U.V. stabilized, flame resistant and rot and waterproof netting. Not a bad idea if you install netting outdoors and leave it exposed to severe weather changes. You can get bird netting that can stand up to temperature extremes--from nets that have a flame resistant 250 degree F melting point to those that can tolerate "sub-zero" temperatures. Consider non-conductive netting in areas where electrical conductivity or radio frequency interference presents a problem.

For aircraft hangars, garages, factories, warehouses, and large canopies, you should go with heavy-duty bird netting constructed of high strength polyethylene. If you're concerned about the appearance of netting and whether it will detract from your facility's architecture, not to worry. Today's bird netting comes in several colors, including white, stone and black. One note: Black bird netting won't discolor when it gets dirty or dusty. Installed properly, most bird netting is almost invisible. Resilient knotted polyethylene bird netting is available in U.V. treated twine for extended life. The burst strength on these nets can be as high as 40 pounds. Some manufacturers offer quality constructed bird netting that comes with a long guarantee--up to 10-years.

For growers, bird netting can keep pest birds from wreaking havoc in the field. For best results, drape the net directly over the crop (or over the trees). You'll want to affix the net to a structure overhead, which will allow you to completely enclose your orchard or vineyard. One bit of advice here: Make sure you drape your nets high enough to prevent birds from sticking their beaks through to eat your crop.

One last thing to remember about bird netting. If you need to cover an airplane hangar, warehouse or any large area, you'll need thousands of square feet of netting and special lifts and power gear. This kind of job calls for a professional bird control installer. If you don't install the bird netting properly, the net will sag and droop, leaving gaps for pest birds to sneak in.

by Alex A. Kecskes

Pest birds have been with us since man first crawled out of his cave and decided to build huts and grow food.  These mischievous birds pecked and pooped on early shelters, ate food crops, infected water sources and food storage.

Times have changed. But pest birds remain a huge problem, ostensibly improved by technology's ability to eradicate huge flocks of birds with poisons, yet restrained by society's needs to use more humane methods. The latter has prompted the development of pest deterrents--devices and means that discourage birds from landing and nesting in any one particular area.

Physical barriers like netting are one effective way to keep birds away. Straightforward, netting requires a one-time installation that blocks birds of various sizes from entering an area. Today's modern netting is durable and can last for up to several decades. And unlike banners, balloons and other scare devices, bird netting is barely visible at a distance.

Bird Netting is Broadly Effective

Modern bird netting has been shown to effectively keep pest birds off the following:

•    Outdoor Air Conditioners
•    Signs &Letters
•    Steeples
•    Bell Towers or Domes
•    Trees to keep birds from roosting
•    Billboards
•    Support Structures
•    Roofs
•    Perimeters & Chimneys
•    Cables & Awnings
•    Projections
•    Columns & Cornices

The Benefits of Bird Netting Add Up

If you're a facilities manager for a large company, university, or municipality, using bird netting to keep pest birds off your property can result in huge savings in labor and materials. In fact, larger cities have spent over $1 million annually on pest bird cleanups and repairs. Bird netting systems can significantly bring down these costs.

Installing bird netting has a number of important benefits for property owners. For one, it saves insulation, siding, and roofs from replacement or repair. It eliminates destructive, corrosive bird droppings; droppings that can corrode metal, destroy finishes and change the color of paint. By doing this, bird netting cuts down on the number of costly repairs and prevents a drop in property aesthetics and value.

Keeping pest birds from entering and nesting on your property also eliminates your exposure to over 60 potential bird-related diseases, including Avian Flu, West Nile, Histoplasmosis, Salmonella,E. Coli, and more. Bird netting keeps out the pest birds that raise these health concerns and the legal liabilities they create. In addition, installing bird netting is one way to reduce workman's compensation claims and eliminate FDA and OHSA inspection failures. By keeping pest birds off your property, you will also help prevent health department citations and fines.

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

Pest birds can be a costly nuisance to commercial warehouses. They can pose a dangerous distraction to employees operating high forklifts and other machinery. Bird droppings (in the form of aerated dust) can also create a number of health hazards as they carry many diseases. Damp bird droppings can present dangerous slip-and-fall hazards on smooth warehouse floors. Finally, bird droppings can damage and deface products on shelves and in loading docks. One solution to the pest bird problem is Bird Netting.

Bird Netting can be used as a physical barrier to block birds out of many key areas of your warehouse. It can keep sparrow, starlings and pigeons from roosting in the nooks and crannies of your upper rafters. And unlike poisons or BB guns, Bird Netting is a humane, low-profile way of preventing these birds from landing or nesting in specific areas.

Heavy-Duty polyethylene Bird Netting is 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 area to be covered, you can generally choose from three different mesh sizes. There's 2-inch mesh, 1 1/8-inch mesh, and 3/4-inch mesh.

Some Bird Netting is so rugged that it is guaranteed for 10 years. The best netting is ISO 1806 protocol mesh tested. It's flame resistant with a 270-degree F. melting point. It's also rot-proof, non-conductive and stable in sub zero temperatures. This netting consists of 6 monofilaments, each12/1000s of an inch thick. The monofilaments are twisted together to produce a sturdy twine with 160-200 twists per meter. The result is a net that has a breaking strength in excess of 40 lbs. This type of quality Bird Netting is so efficient and effective for excluding birds that it's often specified by architects.

The key to the effectiveness of any Heavy Duty Bird Netting is proper installation. Before installing Heavy Duty Bird Netting, make sure the surface is thoroughly cleaned and 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 can be very clever and resourceful when it comes to penetrating nets. 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

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 No-Knot Bird Netting.

No-Knot 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 No-Knot 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. No-Knot 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 No-Knot 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.