Bird Netting

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

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.

Big box warehouses often have pest bird problems. Many are located in rural or semi-rural areas, so birds are in plentiful supply. Unless they are controlled by bird netting, birds will take shelter in these large structures. They wild pests are drawn to the large open garden areas and other doors that are kept wide open all day and most of the evening. The stores also attract pest birds because they offer protection from natural predators. And they offer warm shelter from the elements. But most of all, the stores have plenty of high ceilings with all sorts of nooks and crannies where birds can nest and roost. 

Some stores have outside areas where employees eat lunches and snack at dinnertime. Trash cans in and around these areas are often littered with food scraps, which provide a handy food source for the pest birds.  All in all, big box retail outlets and warehouse stores are a pretty ideal haunt for most wild birds. Bird netting is one way to deter them.

When birds nest in the upper rafters of a warehouse, it's sometimes hard to get rid of birds. They often aren't even discovered until one notices the droppings on highly stacked merchandise. Their droppings can damage products and packaging.  And they can also create potential electrical fire hazards, since their nests are perfect kindling for starting fires. In fact, many pest birds like to build their nests near the warmth of light bulbs. These light bulbs are often high wattage and require ventilation, which bird nests seem to choke off. Bird netting can prevent these hazardous conditions.

Pest birds also create a distraction for customers as they sometimes swoop down on shoppers. Even more hazardous is the habit of birds distracting forklift operators as they move dangerously heavy loads high on upper shelves.

One Home Depot store had some pretty hefty bird problems. Seems that sparrows were nesting inside their store. What made things particularly annoying was the fact that the sparrows were nesting above the checkout area, depositing quite a mess with in bird droppings. The store manager was understandably worried  about the slip-and-fall liability. Customers and employees could be hurt. And there was the potential for the transmission of disease posed by the bird droppings—wild birds can carry any of 60 known diseases. The store was in dire need of some serious bird control to properly address the sparrow problem.

The solution was both effective and humane. To deter the sparrows, 3/4-inch mesh bird netting was installed by bird control product experts. The netting created a permanent bird barrier in key store locations. Sparrows no longer  had unrestricted access to the store. Bird netting completely blocked the birds so they could no longer nest and roost in the area. As an added bonus, the bird netting even blended in with its surroundings. It was barely visible from below.

Bird netting can be ordered in several different colors--including white, stone and black. Non-conductive netting is available for installations where electrical conductivity could cause problems. For outdoor patio areas of a store, choose U.V. stabilized, flame resistant and rot- and water-proof netting.

Big box warehouses often have pest bird problems. Many are located in rural or semi-rural areas, so birds are in plentiful supply. Unless they are controlled by bird netting, birds will take shelter in these large structures. They wild pests are drawn to the large open garden areas and other doors that are kept wide open all day and most of the evening. The stores also attract pest birds because they offer protection from natural predators. And they offer warm shelter from the elements. But most of all, the stores have plenty of high ceilings with all sorts of nooks and crannies where birds can nest and roost. 

Some stores have outside areas where employees eat lunches and snack at dinnertime. Trash cans in and around these areas are often littered with food scraps, which provide a handy food source for the pest birds.  All in all, big box retail outlets and warehouse stores are a pretty ideal haunt for most wild birds. Bird netting is one way to deter them.

When birds nest in the upper rafters of a warehouse, it's sometimes hard to get rid of birds. They often aren't even discovered until one notices the droppings on highly stacked merchandise. Their droppings can damage products and packaging.  And they can also create potential electrical fire hazards, since their nests are perfect kindling for starting fires. In fact, many pest birds like to build their nests near the warmth of light bulbs. These light bulbs are often high wattage and require ventilation, which bird nests seem to choke off. Bird netting can prevent these hazardous conditions.

Pest birds also create a distraction for customers as they sometimes swoop down on shoppers. Even more hazardous is the habit of birds distracting forklift operators as they move dangerously heavy loads high on upper shelves.

One Home Depot store had some pretty hefty bird problems. Seems that sparrows were nesting inside their store. What made things particularly annoying was the fact that the sparrows were nesting above the checkout area, depositing quite a mess with in bird droppings. The store manager was understandably worried  about the slip-and-fall liability. Customers and employees could be hurt. And there was the potential for the transmission of disease posed by the bird droppings—wild birds can carry any of 60 known diseases. The store was in dire need of some serious bird control to properly address the sparrow problem.

The solution was both effective and humane. To deter the sparrows, 3/4-inch mesh bird netting was installed by bird control product experts. The netting created a permanent bird barrier in key store locations. Sparrows no longer  had unrestricted access to the store. Bird netting completely blocked the birds so they could no longer nest and roost in the area. As an added bonus, the bird netting even blended in with its surroundings. It was barely visible from below.

Bird netting can be ordered in several different colors--including white, stone and black. Non-conductive netting is available for installations where electrical conductivity could cause problems. For outdoor patio areas of a store, choose U.V. stabilized, flame resistant and rot- and water-proof netting.

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.

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.