Using Bird Netting

Save that Wine with Bird Netting

by Alex A. Kecskes

Birds can cause an inordinate amount of damage to a vineyard. And they can do so in many different ways. Keeping them away from grapes affords the best measure of protection. One increasingly popular pest bird deterrent is the practice of placing a physical barrier over the crop. This is also a very practical way keep birds at bay, since grapes typically grow on a trellis, which provides an ideal support for the netting.

Grape growers know that their vineyards are vulnerable to a variety of pest birds. They also know that each species of pest bird will attack their grapes differently. Blackbirds, for example, are a solitary species, that eat whole grapes. Silvereyes, on the other hand, travel in flocks and will peck at several grapes without removing them from the vines. Growers are also aware that birds of a different feather have different preferences in terms of a grape's color, sugar level, acidity, and tannin. It all depends on a particular bird's digestion and seasonal metabolism.

Another sobering fact that grape growers have become painfully aware of is that bird peck causes off-flavors in wine. In evaluating the use bird netting, many vineyard managers seen mostly concerned with crop loss. They define this as the number of dollars of grapes lost due to birds per acre. They tend to factor in only this level of loss when considering the use of bird netting. But increasing numbers of vineyard managers have come to the realization that there's more to pest bird damage than just yield loss. Birds pecking at their grapes can cost them big time. For grapes so damaged can harbor bacterial and fungal pathogens that alter the flavor of wine. The fact is, even a small amount of bird peck damage can rob a fine wine of taste, which can destroy a vintner's reputation for many years. Many growers have gone to great expense in attempting to restore the true flavor of bird-damaged grapes only to discover that off-flavors remain. They've learned the hard way that there’s simply no way to ever recapture the true flavor essence of their grapes. All the more reason to protect one's prized vineyard with professionally designed bird netting.

Reduce Pest Bird Damage with Bird Netting

by Alex A. Kecskes

Pest birds continue to create a number of problems in cities, towns, groves and vineyards. Pigeons, for example, carry infectious diseases. Their droppings can cause tuberculosis, flu, paratyphoid, lyme disease, toxoplasmosis, and encephalitis. In rural areas, pest birds will peck on fruits, vegetables and plants, costing growers money and plenty of grief. One very effective solution is bird netting. It's both humane and environmentally friendly, since pesticides and aroma repellants can kill birds, which in some areas is illegal. Regardless of your pest bird problem, the advantages of bird netting are manifold.

Types and Sizes of Bird Netting

Bird netting is available for a wide range of birds. There's 2-inch mesh for deterring pigeons and crows; 1-1/8-inch mesh for starlings and blackbirds; 3/4-inch mesh for sparrows and swallows; and 4-inch mesh for deterring gulls. Bird netting also comes in a number of different weights and colors--like black, stone and translucent to blend in aesthetically with your environment. Some manufacturers offer heavier woven hexagonal mesh white netting, others offer lighter, diamond mesh nylon black netting. Both have advantages and disadvantages.

White bird netting, for example, offers a number of distinct advantages. For one thing, it's heavier than black netting, so it's less susceptible to wind tearing it loose. It's also stronger to resist tearing. And for some reason birds seem less likely to get under white netting than black netting. Finally, white netting is less expensive than black netting. Black netting, on the other hand is less visible, so it blends in more aesthetically with its surroundings. And since it's lighter, it requires far less in terms of supporting stakes or structures. Quality constructed netting is usually made of specially treated high-density polyethylene. This netting is highly resistant to U.V. rays.

Many fruit trees and berry bushes--including blackberry, black/red current, loganberry raspberry, and strawberry--need to be covered with nets to protect them from birds as the fruit ripens. Bird netting is an extremely effective means of preventing blackbird infiltration. Birds such as grackles and crows can overwhelm trees and other vegetation, leaving damage and droppings in their wake.

Pest Birds Can be Controlled with Bird Netting

by Alex A. Kecskes

Pest birds can cause considerable damage to property. One way to keep them out is through the use of bird netting. Before going into the various netting types and mesh sizes, a look at some of the many problems caused by pest birds might be in order.

Problems Faced by Growers and Vineyards

Pest birds can inflict serious damage to crops. Certain species of birds tend to flock near harvest time to feast on fruits and berries. In North America, European Starlings, American Robins, House Finches, and Cedar Waxwings can cause a lot of damage. They will pluck or peck, destroying grapes and berries. Starlings and robins tend to create more damage by plucking, whereas house finches will create more peck damage. Western Bluebirds will eat grapes but their flocks are so small that they usually inflict only minor damage. Red-winged blackbirds and goldfinches won't eat grapes but will go after the seeds and/or insects in vineyards. Many growers have discovered that bird netting can be an effective pest bird deterrent.

In California's vineyards, starlings can't wait to eat their way through grape vines. Over the years, winegrowers have tried everything from shotguns and propane cannons to falcons and hawks. Some deterrents work better than others. The smart, grape-loving starlings learn fast, returning soon after the cannon and falcons leave. And neighbors didn't take kindly to the boom of cannons. But one sure way to deter pest birds is the barrier deterrent. In the case of vineyards and orchards, that means bird netting.

Pest birds can also invade barns, stockyards and chicken coops. Bird droppings, bird nests and the mites that infest birds can present a health hazard, carrying and transmitting any of 60 diseases. Sparrows and feral pigeons, for example, can carry bacteria causing salmonellosis. Feral pigeons can also carry ornithosis, which resembles viral pneumonia.

The Versatility of Bird Netting

By Kathy Fritsch

Bird netting is one of the most versatile ways to protect your property from the pest bird. Whether your bird problem is from a smaller bird such as the sparrow or starling, or a larger species such as the crow or pigeon; bird netting will help eliminate property damage and costly repairs, while keeping your property free from harmful materials from pesticides. Whether it is a large area or small area, bird netting is one of the most environmentally friendly ways to deter birds from wreaking havoc near your home or business.

Bird Friendly

The point of bird netting is to protect your home and not to harm the pest bird. Birds have a very valuable stature in our ecosystem. We need them in our environment, just not on every property. One type of bird netting is U.V. Protected Polypropylene which makes the netting very strong and durable. There are no harmful pesticides that could harm the bird or any other animal you may have around the home.

Bird Proof Netting Keeps Pest Birds Out

by Alex A. Kecskes

Pest birds can do all sorts of damage. The fact is, they cost companies and individuals millions annually in damage and cleanups. Growers and farmers are often the victims as pest birds attack cornfields, fruit orchards and vineyards. Facilities managers and building owners know that pest birds can lay siege to their property, destroying courtyards, patios, storage yards and other open areas. Home and boat owners have spent considerable time and money cleaning up after pest birds. Many victims have turned to Bird Proof Netting to keep birds out and cleanup and damage costs down.

It's also an alarming fact that birds can carry any of 60 known diseases. Bird droppings, bird nests and the mites that attach themselves to birds pose a serious health hazard.

For example, feral pigeons have been known to carry a bacterium that causes Salmonellosis. Pigeons can also carry Ornithosis, a serious disease that's similar to viral pneumonia. Bird proof netting has been shown to be a viable solution.

Pest birds have also invaded aircraft hangars, causing damage to sensitive aircraft engines, assembly lines. Aircraft facilities managers know that birds will flock to eaves, canopies, support beams and other large open areas. Here, bird droppings and nesting debris can cause all sorts of problems as they fall onto shop floors. Floors like these are often smooth and just a little bird poop can cause workers to slip and fall, creating a huge legal liability.

Bird droppings can also stop up gutters and drain pipes, block vents, and freeze up rooftop turbine ventilators. They can interfere with the performance of light sensors, security cameras, and solar panels. Pest birds have even caused their share of fires as their bodies arced across wires, high voltage terminals and in junction boxes. Bird nests make ideal kindling for sparks. In these instances, bird proof netting can keep out many of the birds that cause these mishaps.