Stone cage net-Fighting back against feathery foes with expert bird control

Whether you live city centre or in a coastal retreat, when you look up to the sky there’s a high chance that the majority of birds you will see soaring are pest birds such as pigeons or gulls!

A simple and humane way to control pest birds in a specific area is to use bird netting. These bird exclusion devices not only protect buildings and agricultural crops from getting damaged or defecated but encourage pest birds to move on.

Bird netting is especially suited to protecting large surface areas within high pressure places where pest birds are reluctant to leave.

At Malum Integration Pest Management, we are specialists at attaching bird control netting to buildings including hospitals, universities, shopping centres and around marinas, to name but a few.

Fighting back against feathery foes with expert bird control

A recent increase in the pigeon population has been exacerbated by our throw away culture, and with plenty of discarded food and overflowing bins at their disposal, is it any wonder that we are attracting pest birds into our towns and villages?

But pigeons aren’t the only pest birds you need to worry about, as seagulls are taking over our properties too. Gulls, (just like pigeons), not only foul everywhere, but will aggressively defend their nests, dive bombing anyone who comes within range.

It is therefore beneficial to all that we find a way to live harmoniously with pest birds, and one of the most effective solutions is to use bird control netting. Bird control netting allows you to place a physical barrier between the pest bird and its intended destination, protecting it from further damage.

What is bird control netting made of?

Bird control netting needs to be strong enough to survive all weathers, stable enough to stay put in strong winds and be silent enough to be tolerated by those within earshot.

Therefore, most bird control netting tends to be made from either polyethylene or polypropylene material, are UV treated and most come flameproofed as standard.

The straining wires, fixtures and fittings are generally made of stainless steel and the net holes themselves are selected depending on the size of the bird you want to prevent.

At Malum we can provide you with high quality bird netting that will be barely visible against the fascia of your building, and once securely fitted, comes with a guarantee.

Benefits of bird netting

The main benefit of bird netting is that it can safely control the population of problem birds without harming other birds in the process. At Malum, we particularly like using bird netting over other types of bird pest control as it is:

1. Bird netting can be placed to cover large spaces such as car parks but can be as equally effective for protecting small crops.
2. A single bird net, if maintained correctly, can last as long as ten years. This makes it a cost-effective method of bird control.
3. Not only do bird control nets come in a variety of different colours in order to blend in with their surroundings, they are designed with different sized holes, to prevent specific birds from breaking through.

Things to consider when placing bird control netting:

Although bird netting can be placed at any time of the year, we would recommend affixing them in spring or early summer. This way you can prevent pigeons from roosting and stop your customers from becoming the unlucky recipients of gull-poo shampoo when sitting outdoors.

As the days get warmer, pest birds start to look for places to settle, choosing to walk along ledges, balance on TV aerials or snuggle down on some exposed pipework. Here they happily sit and poop, oblivious to the unsightly, slippery mess they are creating below.

Installing bird netting is a highly skilled job, as you need to ensure that it is safely secured, unobtrusive on the eye and effective for years to come. On top of that, you want to ensure that you do not trap any birds in the process. This requires constant monitoring as failure to release trapped birds is in contradiction to the Animal Welfare Act 2006.

Finally, it is rare that permission is needed to erect a bird control net over your own property, but if in doubt you should check with the local authority, especially if the building is listed, or if the netting will alter the building’s appearance. Although the responsibility ultimately lies with the owner, here at Malum we are able to advise and talk you through the process.

How to mount bird control netting

At Malum we can install bird control nets virtually anywhere, as we use rope access methods instead of scaffolding and cherry pickers when assembling. This not only allows us to cover a building without making it look like a building site but means that there is minimal disruption to public walkways and access. All of our abseilers are fully trained and carry all the necessary certificates and insurance.

It is vital that the weatherproof bird netting has sufficient clearance between the net and the surface, to prevent pest birds from overwhelming it. Therefore, the netting needs to be stretched taut across roofs and voids and attached with stainless steel fixtures and wires. Pulled too tight and the net can tear over time yet hang it too loose, and there’s a chance the birds may break in.

Maintaining your bird netting

Poorly maintained bird netting can lead to bigger problems than if you had no nets at all. Pigeons are persistent birds and a hole in a net will not go unnoticed. Before you know it one pair of pigeons have turned into a flock who are happily roosting in your roof space.

Tatty bird control nets can also result in birds getting tangled and hurt. Therefore, we would advise that you get your bird netting checked annually, ideally before nesting season begin.

Why you should call Malum for your pest bird control

At Malum we have been solving pest bird problems for commercial and domestic customers for several years. Using the most up-to-date techniques and technology, from drones to spikes, sprung wires, optical gel and falconry, we keep our customers pigeon, gull and parakeet .

So, for further advice on professional bird control, methods and deterrents, including solar panel bird proofing, please contact us for an informal chat and a , no obligation quote.

Experts in pest control, our friendly specialists are available for you to call or contact online today.