Bird Deterrents

Bird netting is a sure fired way to deter the pest bird away from gardens, orchards and vineyards.  Plastic bird netting is lightweight and easy to work with while protecting fruit trees, berry bushes, gardens and even the eaves of the home or other buildings.  Bird netting is U.V. protected, so it is durable and long lasting.  When installed correctly, it is virtually invisible.

Types of Bird Netting and Installation

Installation of bird netting is very versatile.  The netting can be suspended over gardens, berry bushes and grape vines.  When protecting fruit trees, measure the circumference of the fruit tree and add and extra foot before cutting.  Then you simply secure the netting with twine, zip ties or hog rings. 

For any type of berry bush or grape vines, it is best to suspend the bird netting over the bushes or vines by at least 6 inches.  It is pest to leave a space which will prevent the pest birds from sitting on the bird netting and poking their beaks through the mesh to peck at the fruit.  It is easy to secure the suspended bird netting using a series of poles placed sporadically around the perimeter of the foliage.    Wrapping each individual plant also protects the vegetable gardens.  Bird netting also works to keep the pest birds from building nests under the eaves of a building structure.  It is very simple to install.  Either a staple gun or bird netting clips can be used to secure the netting to the structure.

For larger areas such as garages, canopies, air hangers and factories, heavy-duty bird netting is more practical.  Heavy-duty bird netting is constructed of a very strong professional grade polyethylene.  The heavy-duty bird netting is water proof, rot proof and flame resistant.  It is also sub-zero stabilized and non-conductive.  This type of bird netting comes in three different mesh sizes depending on what type of pest bird species is causing the problem.  Installation of bird netting should be done properly so it will have no sags or droops.  If there are sags and droops, this creates a gap for the pest birds to go through.  For secure protection, attach a tension cable to the opening on the building and then attach the netting with hog rings. 

If the pest bird is a bat, there is netting that is used specifically for bats.  Bat netting has a 3/8” mesh and comes in various sizes.  Bat netting is also made of a strong polyethylene mesh.  Bat netting installation can be done the same as heavy-duty bird netting using a tension cable.  This physical bird deterrent will block bats from areas such as attics, garages and eaves.

It is important to gain control over the pest bird.  Bird droppings are one of the biggest problems of pest bird infestation.  Bird droppings pose serious health hazards.  There are over 60 known diseases associated with birds and their droppings.  The most serious risks arise from disease organisms that grow in the nutrient-rich accumulations of bird droppings, feathers and the debris under their nests and roosts.    External parasites are also a problem with infested birds and bats once they leave their nests and roosts.  The parasites then are able to invade buildings and bite people. 

There is also fungus such as histoplasmosis to be concerned about.  Humans and animals can be affected by this disease.  Airborne fungus spores can be ingested by breathing in the spores.  This can occur especially after a roost has been disturbed.  The National Institutes of Health has also reported a potentially blinding eye condition, ocular histoplasmosis syndrome, a result from the fungus.

Bird netting is a must to protect not only fruit trees, berry bushes, gardens, vineyards and building structures, but the health and well being of humans.