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 bird netting from the eaves of our home, especially in multi-storied houses.

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Bird Guards for Commercial Applications

by Alex A. Kecskes
It's an unfortunate reality that commercial building owners spend millions of dollars annually to pay for the damage caused by pest birds. For one thing, bird droppings on windows and facades can seriously detract from a structure's appearance. The acid produced by the fungi that live in bird droppings can corrode metal and erode stone. Unless building owners hire expensive cleaning crews, the damage over time gets worse and more expensive to clean or repair. Bird nests and droppings can also clog gutters and down pipes, causing rooftops to overflow with water and possibly cause entire sections of a rooftop to collapse. Pest bird nests and droppings can also clog air conditioning and heating units, severely damaging these expensive systems.

Unwelcome and Unhealthy Droppings

The bird droppings pest birds leave behind also create offensive odors and can carry any of 60 known diseases. Sparrows and feral pigeons can carry bacteria causing salmonellosis. Such pigeons can even carry ornithosis, which is similar to viral pneumonia. This makes pest birds particularly unwelcome in areas where food is stored, processed or served. When bird droppings litter a sign or cover an outdoor restaurant's tables and chairs, customers will simply avoid the establishment and take their business elsewhere.

Don't Be Served with a Slip-and-Fall Lawsuit

Bird droppings on walkways and entryways to commercial building can create serious slip-and-fall hazards. The only thing more slippery than wet bird poop is a banana peel. For commercial property owners, bird droppings allowed to accumulate on their premises can create a prohibitively expensive and time-consuming legal liability. 

Bird Guard Spikes and Spiders

Probably the most popular bird guard for a commercial establishment is through the use of bird spikes. Ideal for pigeons and other large birds, spikes discourage pest birds from landing. They come in strong, rigid unbreakable polycarbonate or flexible stainless steel. Typically available in two-foot long strips, bird pikes are blunted so they won't harm birds, pets or people. The best spikes are made of marine-grade stainless steel and feature a U.V.-protected polycarbonate base that you can angle to fit curved surfaces. You can also get spikes with a crush proof, non-reflective metal finish.
To bird proof gutters against large pest birds like seagulls, crows, and pigeons, you'll need Bird Guard Gutter Spikes. Look for spikes with adjustable clamps at the base that make them easy to install to the lip of your gutters. If you're being invaded by cormorants, turkey vultures, raptors and other large birds, opt for the Mega Spike, which has long 7” spikes.
Another popular device used to bird proof an area is the Bird Spider. These devices have long spindly spider-like arms that wave in the breeze to discourage pest birds from landing. They are ideal for use on outdoor restaurant tables before opening hours to keep pest birds from landing on tables. They can also be used on awnings and patio covers. Spiders typically come in a variety of diameters to deter a wide range of bird pests.
They may look threatening, but they are harmless to birds and people.

Bird Guard Nets, Slopes and Gels

Ideal for a broad range of commercial uses, including signs, warehouses, courtyards, canopies, airplane hangars and rooftops, Bird Netting has proven to be an effective bird guard solution. Often prescribed by architects, bird netting comes in a variety of mesh sizes to deter sparrow, starlings, pigeons, seagulls and larger birds.

Another popular bird proofing device is the Bird Slope. Pest birds simply slide off these angled, slippery PVC panels whenever they attempt a landing. Ideal for eaves, ledges, beams and other 90-degree areas frequented by birds, these slopes are easily screwed, glued or nailed to most any flat surface. They even come in a variety of colors to match a building's exterior décor.

To discourage pest birds from landing on ledges, I-beams, parapet walls, conduit, pipes, and flat or curved surfaces, there's Bird Gel. Birds hate this goop, which is easily applied using a standard caulking gun. The gel never really dries and leaves a sticky surface that bug the heck out of pest birds.

Tracks and Tears

If your property's been inundated with pigeons, seagulls and larger birds, one effective and humane bird guard solution worth trying is the Electric Track. These nifty devices "persuade" pest birds not to land by conveying a mild electric shock to their feet. The tracks are easy to install on ledges, signs, rooftops, and flat or curved surfaces. Some systems are low profile and virtually invisible from ground level. The best tracks feature a flow-through design that keeps water from damming up on rooftops. If you want the tracks to last in harsh weather, opt for corrosion-resistant tracks that resist alkali and acidic environments.

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You Need a Pest Bird Guards

by Alex A. Kecskes
Homeowners, is your patio being rained on by bird droppings? Do you find yourself washing bird droppings off your BBQ every week? Are your rain gutters clogged with bird nests causing water to always overflow into unwanted areas? What about your pool or spa? Do friends and family avoid it because of bird droppings in the water? If the answer is yes to any one of these questions, it's time you looked into a pest bird guards.
Boat owners, is your pride and joy covered with bird droppings? Does your beautiful blue canvas boat cover rip due to hardened bird poop? Are your antennas and masts covered and jammed up with droppings? Do people slip and fall on the slippery poop left by birds as they move about your vessel?  If so, you need some serious pest bird guards.
Property managers, are pest birds destroying the businesslike atmosphere you've worked so hard to create. Are your air conditioning units and rooftop ventilators grinding to a halt? Are your solar panels and security cameras plastered with poop? Is your outdoor eatery losing customers due to bird droppings on tables and chairs?  If so, you know what you need to do--get some bird guards!
If you run a day care center or school, is the outdoor play area covered with disease carrying bird poop? Are the outdoor lunch tables splattered with bird droppings? If so, read on. You need some pest bird guards ASAP.
Fortunately, for all those who have been putting up with pest birds, there are many highly effective pest bird guards to choose from. These are readily available, easy to install and safe for birds and people.
Let's start with flash tape. This simple bird guards is often made of iridescent material that shimmers and reflects in the sunlight. Tape made of thin metal will crackle in the breeze. The combination of these audio-visual distractions work to disorient and confuse most pest birds. Ideal for indoor or outdoor use, flash tape is an ideal bird guards for use in barns, sheds, storage areas, warehouses, docks, farms, carports parking lots, homes, boats and boat docks.
A close cousin to flash tape is the Bird Scare Balloon. Often covered with looming reflective predator eyes or other bird-threatening markings, your typical bird guards balloon is about 16” diameter when fully inflated. Pest birds see these balloons bobbing in the breeze and they will fly away. The best balloons are constructed of a U.V.- and weather-resistant vinyl. They are ideal for deterring pest birds from fruit trees, gazebos, boats, patio covers, and building overhangs. Balloons are also an ideal way to discourage geese and ducks away from pools. When filled one-fourth with water and allowed to float around the pool, birds will stay away.
Another bird guard that has proven itself to be effective in many applications is the Bird Spike strip. Armed with menacing looking spikes that discourage pest birds from landing, these simple devices have kept pigeons and other large birds from ledges, windowsills, rooftops, commercial signs, billboards, parapet walls, I-beams, and other open areas. Spike strips are currently available with flexible stainless steel spikes or rigid unbreakable polycarbonate spikes. The blunted spikes are harmless to birds and will not cut or injure people. They typically come in two-foot sections and are easily installed with screws or adhesive. Installed properly, their non-reflective metal finish makes them all but invisible from the ground.
Birds really can't stand this next deterrent--Bird Gel. Easily applied using a caulking gun on virtually any flat surface, this stuff dries, but stays sticky. When birds land on it, they can't wait to get their little footsies off. Safe for birds and humans, bird gel is ideal for ledges, rooflines, beams, signs, conduit, pipes and other problem areas. The sticky gel typically lasts up to 6 months outdoors.
Next up is the utterly simple Bird Slope. These angled, slippery PVC panels prevent birds from landing. Their little footsies scramble and scamper like "Road Runner." Pest birds soon give up and move on to more secure landing zones. Easily installed on ledges, eaves, beams and other areas, the best bird slopes are U.V. protected and sun and weather resistant. The panels provide anti-perching, anti-roosting protection against all types of birds, including swallows, starlings, pigeons and seagulls. Some panels have a "snap-on" extender, which allows them to easily adapt to wider ledges and coverage areas.
Still another effective pest bird guard--Bird Netting--has proven its worth in orchards, vineyards and other large areas. There's heavy duty bird netting made of high strength polyethylene for really demanding applications--like air hangars, garages, factories, warehouses, eaves and canopies. Better bird netting is often made from a U.V.-resistant mesh for lasting durability. You can order netting in various mesh sizes and cuts to deter a wide variety of bird species and types.
To give pest birds a shocking reception, you might try the Electric-Track bird guards currently being marketed. Birds land on these and get a mild electric shock that persuades them to move on. Ideal for small and large pest birds, some electric tracks feature a low-profile design that's barely visible from the ground. The tracks usually get their "juice" from an AC charger or solar charger.
Everyone knows you can scare pest birds away by clapping your hands. But do you really have the time and energy to clap them 24/7? The solution? Audio Bird guards. Designed to scare pest birds from large open areas, these systems emit distress and predator calls. Some systems have a repertoire of as many as 22 bird calls. The sounds are repeated on a regular basis to remind birds that this is not a "safe" place to land or roost. Ideal for deterring pigeons, crows, woodpeckers, sparrows, starlings, swallows, gulls, grackles, cormorants and many other birds, some audio bird guards have the flexibility to add more speakers that will extend the coverage range up to six acres.

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Opening your pool for summer? Get some Bird Control

by Alex A. Kecskes
It's time to open your pool for the summer. If you've had problems with grackles depositing bird waste in your pool, there are bird control measures you should look into to keep your pool clean and inviting. If birds have been cleaning out their nests and dropping their waste in your pool or on your pool cover, you have a nasty problem that needs to be addressed. Then again, you may have another problem: black birds spitting in your pool and contaminating it with germs and other waste. Or, if you have an above-ground pool like many homeowners do, birds could be using your roof to perch, then dive bomb the pool.
Let's face it, if you're constantly checking the nitrate levels in your pool due to bird contamination, and you've been forced to drain half your pool to prevent contamination and algae growth, you need to look into some serious and effective bird control measures--before you declare your pool officially open.


But before you whip out your BB gun or run to the store for bird poison, keep in mind that many birds are protected by federal laws under the "Migratory Bird Act of 1918," as well as by many state laws. It's also illegal to destroy, relocate or disrupt their nests or their eggs. The only exceptions are non-native species like the House Sparrow, European starling, and the pigeon.

So before you invite your friends and relatives over for that big pool party, you'll need to look into some of the more effective bird control measures outlined below. These devices and systems have been proven to deter pest birds and they do so humanely.


Bird Sonic Systems


Most pest birds are very cautious when it comes to warning signs. Some species even delegate a "warning bird" or "lookout" whose job it is to let those around them know that it's time to flee. Sonic Bird Deterrents are aimed at these birds. These systems broadcast predator and distress calls that convince pest birds that danger is near. If you're a pigeon, for example, you'll immediately react to the sound of Peregrine falcons defending your territory. If you're a starling, predator hawks screeching and birds under attack will get your attention. These sounds won't bother people, but they are nerve wracking to birds. The best sonic bird control devices can be set up to broadcast distress and predator calls 24/7. Some systems let you add speakers to expand the coverage area if needed. Others will continually alter the pitch, frequency, timing and intensity of their sounds.

Bird Spikes

As previously mentioned, if pest birds are using your roof, patio cover or awning as a perch to dive bomb your pool area, you should consider installing some Bird Spikes to deny them these perches. Ideal for use against pigeons, seagulls and larger birds, bird spikes come in either rigid, U.V.-resistant unbreakable polycarbonate or high strength, durable stainless steel. (The poly spikes are slightly less expensive.)  Steel spikes typically come in 3-, 5- and 8-inch widths, and their non-reflective metal finish makes them virtually invisible when installed. The plastic spikes come in 3-, 5- and 7-inch widths and you can use them near your dish TV antenna, since there are no EM interference problems with plastic.


Bird spikes even come in a variety of colors--including white, tan, gray, black, brown, brick red and crystal clear. Spikes are easy to install, too. One manufacturer sells a no-gap spike that's easy to mount on curved surfaces. And while they look very intimidating, they're harmless to birds and people. In fact, bird spikes have been approved as a bird control measure by a number of humane groups worldwide--including the U.S. Humane Society and PICAS (Pigeon Control Advisory Service).

Solar Powered Bird Repellers

Birds don't like things that move and whip around. That's what Solar Powered Bird Repellers do. Harmless to birds and pets, these bird control devices feature long arms that turn continuously at 30 RPM to discourage birds from landing near your pool. Ideal for seagulls, pigeons, and crows, some repellers even have adjustable “arms” to cover wider areas--up to 5 feet long. The best repellers can store the sun's converted electrical energy and tap into it at night or on overcast days to keep the arms turning.


Bird Spiders 

Easy to move around and place, Bird Spiders are designed to intimate pest birds from landing near your pool. The spider's flagellating arms wave wildly in the breeze to deter all manner of pest birds from approaching the area. Bird spiders come in several arm lengths to cover wider and wider areas. Place them anywhere birds tend to gather--roof, patio cover, awning, gazebo, etc.

Bird Scare Tie-Ons

You've probably seen these Bird Scare Deterrents at parks, marinas and other structures. They create an “Optical Distraction Zone” that keeps birds away from pools and other restricted areas. They come in various types: reflective foils that crackle in the breeze, shiny tape banners that crinkle in the wind, and balloons with huge predator eyes that bob and weave to make pest birds really feel hunted. If pest birds have invaded your pool or spa in the past, you can string these deterrents up just about anywhere to keep birds at bay. In the case of balloons, you can also fill them partially with water and let them skim the surface of the pool to make birds feel threatened. Be sure to occasionally swap out these bird deterrents from time to time to keep birds from getting used to them.

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