Plastic Bird Netting for Effective Garden Bird Control

Your garden will be flourishing soon. All those fruits and vegetables that you’ve been nurturing for months will finally be bearing the benefits of your hard work. Unless, of course, you failed to implement an effective bird control strategy. In that event, your efforts may prove to be in vain. For surely as the sun rises, birds will feed off your ripening fruits and veggies this spring.

Adding insult to injury, pest birds will also cover your garden with droppings, which are not only unsightly but can carry any of 60 infectious diseases. Instead of a garden richly scented with ripening fruit, you’ll have a smelly garden covered with bird droppings.

What to do? Most people who nurture gardens are reluctant to use lethal means to get rid of birds. Many will use water hoses to “shoo” them away. Others will rattle pots, pans and noise makers. But these measures have proven largely ineffective in the long run. Birds simply return minutes after you go indoors. The only real solution is to implement professionally recommended bird control measures. Among the most effective for gardens is Garden Bird Netting.

Lightweight and easy to handle, Garden Bird Netting will deny birds access to your fruits and vegetables. Ideal for fruit trees as well as garden plants, this netting will protect your blueberry bushes, grape vines and other plants from being attacked.  It's sold in 14 x 100-foot and 14 x 200-foot rolls, and you can easily cut it down to the size to need to protect specific plants or areas.  It’s also available in three different "mesh" sizes--1/4" mesh, 1/2" mesh and 3/4" mesh to protect your garden from a wide variety of pest birds. The netting is easy to install, and bird netting clips are available that make for effortless installation. The best Garden Bird Netting is made from a durable, UV-protected polypropylene. This netting is strong, light and virtually invisible.

Garden Bird Netting is also highly recommended to prevent birds from nesting. Birds who are in the process of nesting can be very territorial. They will return to previously established nesting sites and protect them. Plastic bird netting places your garden off limits so birds simply move on. You can install Garden Bird Netting temporarily if you have seasonal problem with birds, or you can install the netting permanently for year round protection.

Working effectively with Garden Bird Netting to achieve bird control are Visual Bird Deterrents. These include reflective foil and banner tape strung up on nearby trees, posts or fencing. By rattling in the breeze and reflecting sunlight, they create a distraction zone around your garden. Tear-drop shaped Bird Scare Diverters and Bird Scare Balloons accomplish the same result with their large, intimidating predator eyes bobbing in the wind. Visual distractors like these need simply to be moved around every so often to convince birds that they are an on-going threat.

How to Choose Plastic Netting for Pest Bird Control

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.

Excluding Pest birds with Bird 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.

Got Birds? Bird Netting Keeps Them Out of your Commercial Building

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.

How Bird Proof Netting Can Keep Pest Birds Off Your Property

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.

Related articles

• Starlings Invade Indianapolis: Bird Proofing with Bird Netting Might Have Saved the City (birdproofnetting.com)
• Bird Netting for Warehouses, Hangars and Large commercial Applications (birdproofnetting.com)

Bird Netting for Warehouses, Hangars and Large commercial Applications

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 sizable 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.

Choosing the Right Bird Netting for Your Business

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)

Starlings Invade Indianapolis: Bird Proofing with Bird Netting Might Have Saved the City

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 any 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.

Commercial Building Owners: Got Pest Bird Problems? Bird Netting Has You Covered.

by Alex A. Kecskes

Commercial business owners across the country face a daily and daunting dilemma: birds on their property. These feathered pests can wreak havoc in and around a commercial structure. Bird droppings, for example, can create slip-and-fall hazards on walkways and loading docks, resulting in a costly legal liability in the event workers or customers should be injured.  Signage, rooftop AC units, security cameras and lighting can also be severely damaged by the accumulation of bird droppings. Bird droppings can eat into packaging, causing products waiting on loading docks to be ruined. Pest birds can also distract forklift operators and other work crew, creating a dangerous work environment.

There is a solution. One that doesn’t rely on BB guns, avicides (bird poisons) or loud and distracting flash cannons. It’s called Bird Netting. And it’s been widely used by commercial building owners for many years. Bird netting is an effective exclusionary pest bird deterrent that blocks out a wide range of birds.

Today, there are many types of bird netting to choose from, each offers unique advantages designed for specific applications and bird types. Here are some guidelines to help you choose the right bird netting for your application:

Strong, Tough No Knot Bird Netting is Easy to Handle

Ideal for excluding pigeons, sparrows, gulls, starlings and crows from both outdoor and indoor commercial areas, No Knot Bird Netting is nearly 70 percent stronger than ordinary knotted poly netting and about 30 percent lighter. It stands up to heat better than ordinary knotted poly netting, so you can drape it in some pretty hot areas without worrying about melting problems. No Knot netting is surprisingly easy to handle, too. There’s no need to pull it into shape like other types of netting. The netting comes in various mesh sizes, including a 3/4-inch mesh to block out starlings and a 2-inch mesh to exclude big birds like gulls. The best netting is made using a multi-strand polypropylene fiber, which resists heat and many chemicals. Opt for netting that meets ISO 1806 Protocols and, choose netting that won’t rot, absorb water or mildew over time.

For Really Big Jobs, Try Heavy-Duty Polyethylene Bird Netting

Ideal for excluding pest birds from warehouses, big box stores and aircraft hangars, Heavy-Duty Poly netting blocks out pigeons, sparrows, gulls, starlings and crows. It comes in various mesh sizes, including 2-inch, 1-1/8-inch, and 3/4-inch. The best bird netting is this category is made of a U.V.-stabilized mesh designed to hold up for years in harsh weather. One manufacturer even offers a 10-year guarantee on its netting, which is ISO 1806 protocol mesh tested, flame resistant, rot-proof, and waterproof. It’s also non conductive, which means you can use it around electrical equipment and RF antenna arrays.

Save Your Plants and Vines with Ultra Net Plastic Bird Netting

If your garden areas, young trees and vines are being pestered by pigeons, sparrows, gulls, swallows or crows, it’s time you looked into Ultra Net lightweight plastic mesh netting. Made of resilient U.V.-protected polypropylene, this low-profile netting comes in 3/4-, 1/2-, and 1/4-inch mesh sizes. For commercial vegetable gardens, have your maintenance crew wrap each plant in netting. The netting can also be suspended over the entire garden. To exclude pest birds from grape vines, install the netting about 6 inches above the vine. This will prevent birds from poking their beaks through the netting and deny them access to your grapes. Ultra Net can also be suspended on poles around a tree or large area to keep birds out.

Before installing any bird netting on buildings and structures, remove any bird droppings, feathers and nesting materials. Birds will be drawn to this debris and consider it lived-in and friendly. Tell your crew to use commercial disinfecting cleaning agents to help ensure they aren’t exposed to any of the 60 known airborne diseases carried by birds. Advise the use of eye and respiratory protection if the area is heavily contaminated with bird droppings.

Starlings Invade Indianapolis: Bird Proofing with Bird Netting Might Have Saved the City

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.

Bird Netting…an Effective, Humane Bird Deterrent

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.

Home Depot Uses Bird Netting to Control Sparrows

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.

Deter Pest Birds with Bird Repellent 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.

Keep Spring Birds Away from Your Signs with Bird Netting

by Alex A. Kecskes

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

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

When birds build nests in signs, they leave droppings, feathers and other debris in and around them. This material is perfect kindling for starting a fire. But even if they don't start a fire, these materials are unsightly and block out light. Eventually, the droppings will eat into the signage materials and destroy the sign. Either way, you're faced with some very expensive repair and cleanup costs.

Associated with birds nesting in signs is the problem of bird droppings right below the sings. This can lead to dangerous slip-and-fall hazards for both employees and customers. The legal liability here can be ruinously expensive.

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

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

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

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

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Save Your Commercial Signage with Heavy Duty 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.

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