No-Knot Bird Netting Might Have Prevented Sparrow from Starting Store Fire

by Alex A. Kecskes

Not long ago, a Crescent Store in Leasingham, near Sleaford, Lincolnshire, UK, burned to the ground, resulting in £250,000 of damage. When insurance investigators dug into the cause, they concluded that a sparrow picked up a smoldering cigarette butt and dropped it on its nest under the eaves. Investigators also found 35 cigarette butts in a number of sparrows’ nests in the roof.

The owner of the store got out in time, thanks to a customer who alerted him to the fire, but the shop was totally destroyed. Both the upstairs and the flat were burned away. The suspended ceilings and all the electrics were down. Even the fridges were ruined. Investigators were surprised to see how much damage a little bird carrying a butt could cause. It took six weeks to clean up the mess, rebuild and re-open the shop.

If only the Crescent Store in Leasingham had been protected with effective bird deterrents. Had they installed No-Knot Bird Netting, for example, there would have been not place for sparrows to nest. Hence, no fire. A little prevention could have gone a long way here..

No-Knot Bird netting has been successfully used to deny pest birds like sparrows from entering eaves and other unwanted areas. The netting is a humane, low profile solution to problems presented by sparrows, pigeons, gulls, starlings and crows. It comes in several stock sizes and custom cuts. For smaller birds like sparrows, a 3/4-inch mesh would do the job nicely.

One brand of No-Knot Bird Netting has the longest guarantee on the market--10 years. It’s very light, non-conductive and easy to install, yet it has a break strength of 50 pounds. This netting is made of flame resistant, multi-strand polypropylene fiber. (Polypropylene is chemically inert and will resist the influence of many chemicals at ordinary temperatures.)

Look for netting that has been ISO 1806 Protocol Mesh tested. It should not rot, absorb water, or mildew. It should also have U.V. inhibitors to withstand years of direct sunlight. And it should be able to tolerate a wide temperature range without degrading.

To get the most out of No-Knot Bird Netting, it should be correctly installed. Before installing the netting, all surfaces should be free of bird droppings, nesting materials, loose rust, peeling paint or other debris. If the netting is incorrectly installed, it will sag, leaving gaps that birds can work their way through.

Bird Netting Hits Home-Run at Athletic Stadiums

by Terra Anders

Athletic stadiums are often the subject of much ballyhoo.  When a new stadium opens up, the architecture, seating capacity, or technological gizmos are often praised as the latest and greatest.  People flock to this new attraction to be part of the history of the stadium.  But over time, something else flocks to the stadium.  They are not interested in the design or technological tools. They could care less about the sculptures carved intricately into the stone ways. They don't‘ even care if the home team wins or loses.  They are birds: pigeons, doves, or sparrows to be more specific.  Some may call them songbirds or feathered friends, but ball park maintenance teams call them by another name: Pests!

These pest birds are attracted to the open stadiums because of their ongoing supply of crumbs and leftovers, their high rafters for safe roosting, and their vast space for their ever growing flock size. However, lots of birds hanging around means lots of potential headaches for those who are responsible for keeping the stadium clean. Bird droppings on stadium seats, cement concourses, even exterior entryways and concession stands can mean unintended health and sanitation violations.  This could result in authorities shutting down a stadium until city inspectors are convinced that the problem won’t repeat itself. The cost of closing down a multi-million dollar stadium could be devastating to annual earnings.  Not only does that result in unhappy fans, but angry stockholders as well.

Bird infestations create problems for all kinds of structures, and stadiums are no exception. On a rainy day, bird droppings can become slippery and create a fall hazard or personal injury that could cost management big bucks.  In the summer time, the dust created from the droppings could create a carrier for some airborne diseases that bird feces commonly harbor. A new stadium can go from attractive to atrocious in a very short period of time. Perception of the stadium as run-down or messy can really devalue the property quickly. In addition, cleanup costs can tally into the thousands of dollars a year. Finding ways to stop bird infestations before they become a problem is a critical step in the stadium design process.

Many city ordinances have rules and regulations about how you can and cannot get rid of pest birds. Some mandate only humane methods be used to rid a property of birds. The best way to avoid this scenario is to design preventative bird deterrent systems into the construction of the stadium from the early stages.  Waiting until the birds have made themselves at home is too late.  Architects and engineers often turn to proven bird deterrent experts like Bird-B-Gone. They can evaluate the structure design and the type of birds that are roosting in the area.  Once they know the extent of the problem, they will suggest the best, most humane option(s) to design into the stadium decor.

Bird netting can prove to be one of the best options. This polypropylene netting is made with a knotted or unknotted polyethylene mesh. The netting comes in 3/4” (generic for all birds), 1-1/8” (starlings or pigeons), or 2” mesh (pigeons or seagulls).  The netting is heavy-duty and UV stabilized to last up to 10 years without deteriorating. It shuts off the favorite bird roosting spots and the frustrated flyers are likely forced to find other accommodations. The best part is that it is almost completely invisible so it will let all the pizazz of the stadium design details shine through. 

The cost of outfitting a large athletic stadium with bird netting is cost effective, but could be up to a few thousand dollars (depending on size of stadium).  Still, the cost for weekly cleanup, including materials, labor and customer dissatisfaction could be many times greater. Building bird deterrent systems into the stadium at conception is sure to be a home-run for the home team fans.

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.