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Unfortunately, every major town and city in Ireland has a pest bird problem. Birds like pigeons and seagulls thrive in urban areas, breeding quickly and infesting an area. Bird droppings can ruin the exterior of a building, undermines a business’s professionalism.
When a bird selects an area as its preferred roosting site it can be extremely difficult to get rid of them. One of the surefire methods to prevent or treat a bird infestation is to put up a bird net. There are a few choices of bird netting, and the correct bird netting for your property is dependent on a range of factors. In today’s blog, we’re going to discuss which bird netting is suitable for your property.

Bird Netting

Bird netting is probably the most common preventive solution for bird damage and bird infestation. Bird netting isn’t just used on buildings. Netting can also be seen protecting:

- Fruit Bushes
- Vegetable Gardens
- Balconies
- Courtyards
- Any open recreational areas
- Car Ports
- Vents
- Warehouses
- Windowsills
- Fisheries
- Signs

The advantage of bird netting includes

- Netting can be used in both small and large in-door and open-air spaces
- Perfect for both agricultural areas and small gardens
- Bird netting doesn’t require any maintenance and is straightforward to install
- Safe on the environment

Factors to consider when purchasing bird Netting

Mesh Size

One of the most important factors when choosing bird netting is the mesh size. As an open mesh material, bird netting has holes that allow insects and even some smaller birds to pass through unencumbered.
The larger the mesh size the larger the holes in the netting. When selecting the correct mesh size it’s important to know which bird you are trying to keep out.

3/4” MESH SIZE

This mesh size keeps out sparrow-sized birds

1 1/8” MESH

This mesh size is designed to keep out starlings, pigeons and any larger birds

2” MESH

One of the larger mesh sizes, this bird netting is less affected by the wind and keeps out seagulls, hawks and larger bird species.

Net Material

Bird netting is made from a range of different materials. The correct bird netting material is selected based on where the bird netting is to be installed.

Black UV-protected polypropylene

This bird netting material is a lightweight plastic material. Due to its lightweight, this material is primarily used in gardens

Polyethylene UV-Treated Twine

A heavy-duty bird netting material that is mostly used for permanent bird netting solutions. This is the preferred choice around buildings.

Black Multi-Stranded Polypropylene Fiber

The newcomer to the market, this material is quickly becoming a favourite as it's strong and durable. This is a great option for open-air areas.

Polyethylene UV-Treated Twine Plus Self-Extinguishing Red Filament

Similar to Polyethylene UV-Treated Twine except this has additional fire-resistant properties. This material is suitable for urban areas.

Conclusion

The above is an introduction to the factors that go into selecting the appropriate bird netting for your needs. Still not sure what bird netting is right for your property? See our bird netting page or call our offices today.

Unfortunately, anyone who has purchased a building or leased a building in a metropolitan area will have had encountered an issue with birds. Pest bird breeds like pigeons and seagulls can infest a roof spoiling the overall aesthetic of the building. However, pest birds do much more than just undermine the look of the property. Bird droppings can significantly damage the building's paintwork. Bird droppings are also known to carry diseases that are extremely dangerous to human health. So if you own or lease a building, you likely spend a significant amount on cleaning up bird droppings.
However, instead of treating the consequence of a bird infestation, the pest bird infestation itself should be prevented. One of the fastest and most cost-effective methods of bird infestation prevention is the use of bird spikes.
Bird spikes are a humane and effective solution to bird infestations. Despite how they look, bird spikes aren’t designed to hurt birds instead they just discourage a bird from landing, roosting or perching on a ledge.

Variety of Bird Spikes

Bird spikes come in a variety of shapes and styles designed to fit different types of buildings. The two main bird spike materials are stainless steel and plastic. These different materials are suitable for different building types.

Stainless Steel Bird Spikes

One of the major advantages of stainless steel spikes is how innocuous they are. In sunlight, stainless steel spikes almost completely disappear meaning they’re perfect for outside buildings. As they command so little attention from passers-by on the street, they are perfect for the front of buildings. They don’t draw attention away from advertisements or the aesthetics of the property. While not completely rust-proof, stainless steel is rust-resistant allowing for a long service life.

Plastic Bird Spikes

Notable for being both stronger and cheaper than stainless steel spikes, plastic spikes remain a popular bird preventive solution. Made from polycarbonate, plastic, these spikes are available in a variety of colours. Their durability makes them effective against heavier birds including hawks and large seagulls. As they are colourful, plastic bird spikes are suitable for schools or seaside businesses.

Conclusion

As a rule of thumb, buildings in cities facing the street should consider stainless steel bird spikes. However, schools, crèches or colourful buildings should look into plastic spikes. Plastic spikes should also be considered if an infestation of birds includes species bigger than pigeons. Consider this a guideline, as all buildings should be accessed on a case by case basis. The best way to know which bird spikes are right for your property is to speak to one of our team members. For a bird spike, consultation contact our Offaly offices today.