Bird netting is used to stop birds from perching or nesting in areas that are too large to cover with bird spikes. It is a fire resistant and rot resistant mesh that will last for many years.
Where to Install Bird Netting
The first step is to conduct a detailed inspection of your property and make note of the various areas where birds congregate. Some of these areas may be better served by installing bird spikes. For large areas with a lot of piping or truss work, it may be more effective to install netting.
Here are some of the types of areas where you can install netting:
1. Under Covered Walkway Soffits
Soffits, awnings, and covered walkways with detailed frames or trusses are best protected with bird netting rather than bird spikes. There are too many areas to cover with spike strips, so netting installed along the bottom of the framing will protect everything.
2. In Covered or Underground Parking Areas
Covered or underground parking areas can have an endless amount of piping that runs along the roof. They also have a lot of trusses and fixtures that birds can roost on. Bird Netting is the ideal solution to protecting these very large areas.
To save cost, you can install netting in stages as your budget permits. The first areas to prioritize would be over key areas where foot traffic is the heaviest such as walkways and entrances. The next priority would be over parking stalls in locations where birds seem to congregate the most.
3. Over Large Ledged Areas
You may find large areas with considerably sized ledges where birds can nest. These areas might be better closed off with bird netting rather than protected by installing bird spikes on the ledge surface.
How to Install Bird Netting
Caution: Always follow approved safety procedures for working at height (on ladders, roof tops, and in other high areas) when installing bird netting. Frequently, netting is installed using a high lift such as a scissor lift or bucket truck.
Netting is very strong and flexible, and can be pulled in every direction to make sure it is tight and secure.
1. Netting Fasteners
There are a wide variety of materials netting will need to be fastened to depending on the area of installation. This includes concrete slabs, wood framed walls, and metal trusses and framing. Use the appropriate fasteners for the material you are attaching your netting to.
You can roll up excess netting on the ends and fasten it in a bunch – this helps to ensure the edges are extra strong and well sealed. You can also use thin wooden or metal slats along the edges for a clean finish to the edges of your netting installation.
2. Netting Access Zippers
Bird netting covers wide areas and some of those areas may need to be accessible for servicing lights or other fixtures. Large commercial zippers in 3ft or 6ft lengths can be installed in the netting at these key areas so the netting can be opened and closed.
Zippers are installed after the netting is in place. Choose your zipper location and cut the netting in this area. Next, fasten both sides of the zipper to the netting using a hog ringer tool.
3. Installation
Step 1: Plan your installation carefully including how much netting you will need and where your key anchor points will be. Usually netting is attached to the structure it protects, but you can also build dedicated framing out of 1″ x 2″ wooden slats, or out of aluminum such as flat bar, square tubing, or lengths of angle.
Step 2: Start at one end and anchor the netting along that one side, pulling the netting taught as you go. Then anchor the other end of the netting, making sure it is pulled tightly into place. TIP: fasten corners and keys areas first, then add additional anchors as needed.
Step 3: Once both ends are secure, fasten each side from one end to the other, making sure the netting is pulled taught as you go.
Bird Netting Specifications
- Material: HDPE 1mm Diameter 3×3 Rope, UV treated
- Mesh size: 3/4″ (19mm)
- Colour: Black (this colour is the least noticeable and the most weather resistant)
- Netting sizes available:
- 25 x 25ft (7.6 x 7.6m)
- 25 x 50ft (7.6 x 15.2m)
- 50 x 50ft (15.2 x 15.2m)
- 50 x 100ft (15.2 x 30.5m)
To purchase bird netting online, get more information on our Bird Netting product page. Note, we also do complete installations for Property Managers in the Vancouver Lower Mainland.