by Alex A. Kecskes

 

Pest birds can do all sorts of damage. The fact is, they cost companies and individuals millions annually in damage and cleanups. Growers and farmers are often the victims as pest birds attack cornfields, fruit orchards and vineyards. Facilities managers and building owners know that pest birds can lay siege to their property, destroying courtyards, patios, storage yards and other open areas. Home and boat owners have spent considerable time and money cleaning up after pest birds. Many victims have turned to Bird Netting to keep birds out and cleanup and damage costs down.

 

It's also an alarming fact that birds can carry any of 60 known diseases. Bird droppings, bird nests and the mites that attach themselves to birds pose a serious health hazard.

For example, feral pigeons have been known to carry a bacterium that causes Salmonellosis. Pigeons can also carry Ornithosis, a serious disease that's similar to viral pneumonia. Bird proof netting has been shown to be a viable solution.

 

Pest birds have also invaded aircraft hangars, causing damage to sensitive aircraft engines, assembly lines. Aircraft facilities managers know that birds will flock to eaves, canopies, support beams and other large open areas. Here, bird droppings and nesting debris can cause all sorts of problems as they fall onto shop floors. Floors like these are often smooth and just a little bird poop can cause workers to slip and fall, creating a huge legal liability.

 

Bird droppings can also stop up gutters and drain pipes, block vents, and freeze up rooftop turbine ventilators. They can interfere with the performance of light sensors, security cameras, and solar panels. Pest birds have even caused their share of fires as their bodies arced across wires, high voltage terminals and in junction boxes. Bird nests make ideal kindling for sparks. In these instances, bird proof netting can keep out many of the birds that cause these mishaps.

 

Finally, bird droppings can cause considerable damage to packaged products in loading docks and warehouses. Here, too, bird proof netting can prevent pest birds from entering these areas.

 

Okay. You're convinced bird proof netting is the way to go. And you're ready to buy some. Here's what you should know before you buy. 

 

First off, bird proof netting is now available in a wide variety of types and mesh sizes. Get too big a mesh size and pest birds will simply waddle through. If you're being inundated with big birds like pigeons or seagulls, you're better off with 1-1/8” to 2” mesh size netting. If sparrows or starlings are driving you crazy, you should go with 3/4" mesh netting.

 

You also want to make sure you get high quality netting that lasts, especially if you're going to install the stuff outside. Some of the best bird proof netting will typically meet ISO 1806 protocols and will last longer. Good netting should also be U.V. stabilized, flame resistant and rot- and water-proof. Today, really good bird proof netting can hold up under some pretty harsh temperature extremes. Some manufacturers offer netting that has a 250-degree Fahrenheit melting point and stays intact even in "sub-zero" temperatures. Remember , too, that in situations where electrical conductivity or radio frequency interference is a problem, non-conductive netting is available.

 

If you need to keep pest birds from invading your aircraft hangar, factory, warehouse, or large canopy, you should get heavy-duty netting constructed of high-strength polyethylene. Try to get tough, knotted polyethylene bird proof netting, the stuff that comes in U.V. treated twine, so it will last for a while. Some manufacturers offer netting that has a burst strength of up to 40 pounds. This netting usually comes with a long guarantee --typically 10 years. If you're concerned about appearance, today's bird proof netting can be ordered in a number of different colors--including white, stone and black.

 

Installing bird proof netting takes some special care and should be done properly for best deterrent effect. If you're a grower, drape the net directly over your crop or tree. For orchards or vineyards, anchor the netting to an overhead structure. This allows the netting to completely enclose the area you want to protect. Remember, netting must be installed high enough so pest birds can't stick their beaks through the mesh and get at your crops.

 

If you're covering an airplane hangar, warehouse or any large area, it will take thousands of square feet of bird proof netting. To properly install the netting, special lifts and power gear are required. For a netting job this big, its best to call in a professional bird control installer.