Commercial businesses have become increasingly vulnerable to pest bird infestations. Without effective bird barriers, commercial businesses suffer millions of dollars annually due to bird damage in and around their property. Once pest birds nest and settle into a commercial business structure, they are hard to get rid of, so the goal is to prevent them from making your business their home.
One way pest birds do a lot of damage is their bird droppings. These are so highly acidic that they have been known to eat into metal and plastic signage and crumble expensive stonework and facades. Bird nests and droppings can also clog rooftop gutters and drainage pipes, causing extensive roof damage over time. And most commercial building managers know how damaging bird droppings can be when left to gather on AC systems.
Aside from the physical damage, bird droppings splattered on windows, banners and signage can ruin the image of a business. Worse yet, droppings left to gather on walkways, entrances and fire escapes could create dangerous slip-and-fall hazards, which can lead to expensive litigation. Obviously, bird barriers are a must for any commercial business enterprise.
Pest birds also pose a significant health hazard, carrying and transmitting any of 60 known diseases—including Salmonellosis and Ornithosis, which is similar to viral pneumonia. Worse yet, bird droppings and their nesting materials contain insects and mites, which can further damage property and ruin stored foods and other packaged goods.
Fortunately, there are several effective and humane bird barrier products currently on the market. Most are maintenance free and easy to install.
One highly effective bird barrier is known as Mist Capture Netting. Made of durable, UV-stabilized lightweight fiber, this netting is practically invisible to birds. You can order it in four different sizes-- 7’x10’, 10’x20’, 10’x30’ and 10’x40’--to catch a wide variety of birds. The netting is ideal for nabbing pigeons, grackles, starlings, swallows, gulls and sparrows. In fact, this bird barrier will capture several birds in one net.
There's also Heavy-Duty Netting. Made of high-strength polyethylene, this netting is often used for larger, high stress applications. Some manufacturers offer this type of netting with a burst strength of up to 40 pounds. And if you're concerned about aesthetics, today's bird barrier netting even comes in a variety of colors--including white, stone and black to blend in with its surroundings.
Another bird barrier deterrent known as Mist Capture Bird Netting allows for the capture and release of trapped birds. This netting is often used in situations where birds have made their way into areas of a building and settled in. The netting works because pest birds fly into the net and are quickly rendered immobile. After they are captured, the birds can be removed and released outside.
To install Mist Capture Netting, just hang it in the flight path of pest birds--either from beams or cross braces or supported by poles erected in the bird-infected area. The netting should be installed directly in the flight path of birds so they will fly into the net at their normal flight speed. Do not install the netting near bird landing areas, since birds normally slow down for a landing. "Herding" the birds into the netting using laser lights or sound may be necessary in some cases.
Still another bird barrier often used by commercial applications is No Knot Bird Netting. This is often referred to as heavy-duty professional grade netting and is usually made of flame resistant polypropylene, a chemically inert material that is highly resistant to a wide range of chemicals at ordinary temperatures. This netting will not rot, absorb water, or mildew. It is ISO 1806 Protocol Mesh Tested, U.V. stabilized, and comes in various sizes and custom cuts--including 2-inch and 3/4-inch mesh.
If yours is a commercial garden, nursery or plant warehousing business, you might look into Ultra Net Bird Netting. This lightweight plastic mesh netting is a highly effective bird barrier used to protect fruit trees, blueberry bushes, gardens, vineyards. It's virtually invisible and ideal for excluding pigeons, swallows, crows, gulls and sparrows. Made from durable, U.V. protected polypropylene, Ultra Net Bird Netting can be ordered in three different mesh sizes—3/4-, 1/2- and 1/4-inch to deter various species of birds. Designed mostly for temporary use, Ultra Net is lightweight and easily installed with special clips or a staple gun.
If your commercial building or enterprise has been invaded by bats, consider installing some bat netting. This bird barrier is ideal for keeping bats out of secluded or semi-secluded areas. Opt for U.V.-protected polyethylene netting. And go with a 3/8-inch mesh. This netting comes in different sizes—including 10’x10’, 25’x25’, 50’x50’, and 50'x100'. One netting manufacturer even offers a 10-year guarantee. When installing Bat Net, be sure to first set up a perimeter cable. Once this is set up, secure the net to this cable, and make sure the net is pulled snug around all edges to keep bats from sneaking around the net.
Finally, there's a bird barrier few birds have been able to get around, and that's the Bird Spike. Ideal for use against pigeons, seagulls and similar large birds, birds just can't land near them and so they leave. The best Bird Spikes come in either rigid U.V.-resistant unbreakable polycarbonate or high strength, durable stainless steel. The spikes look menacing , but they won't harm birds or people. And you can get them in various types, sizes and colors. The stainless steel spikes come in 3-, 5- and 8-inch widths; the plastic spikes come in 3-, 5- and 7-inch widths.
The plastic spikes are more economical. The steel spikes can be ordered in a non-reflective metal finish. Bird Spikes also come in a variety of colors--like white, tan, gray, black, brown, brick red and crystal clear. One manufacturer even sells a no-gap spike that's easy to mount on curved surfaces.
The key to any pest bird prevention strategy is to be proactive. Install bird barriers in areas you would expect them to nest and roost. Do this before birds arrive and you'll save yourself a lot of expense and grief.
No comments:
Post a Comment