Birds nesting in your garden can be a joy to watch, but there are instances where preventative measures need to be taken to protect wildlife and your property.
One of the most popular choices of bird control is the installation of bird netting. But when improperly maintained, bird netting is not only useless, it’s harmful.
If bird netting is a necessity for you, here’s some considerations to take before installing it on your property to make sure the method of bird control you opt for is safe and effective.
Why do we have bird netting?
According to the Wildlife and Countryside Act, it’s an offence to damage or destroy any wild bird’s nest while in use.
But it’s important to keep birds away from areas they may be endangered or disrupted. For example, if you’re planning building work on your property.
Because of this, bird netting to prevent nesting has become popular. Well-installed netting also protects crops and livestock from larger birds.
Bird netting is intended to be a humane approach to bird control. However, if it’s not installed correctly or maintained regularly, it can cause more harm than good.
Reports of birds getting stuck
With an increase in built-up areas, birds have less and less places to nest safely. Ill-fitted netting doesn’t deter birds from their desperation.
Birds will spot any issues with your netting, like large holes, sagging at the back, or gaps at the sides. They’ll slip through, but not have enough room to get out, leaving them trapped.
Why does this happen?
There are some common reasons as to why bird netting becomes ineffective and harmful to wildlife. Some of the most seen reasons are:
- The installer didn’t check the property first to see if any birds were nesting.
- Weathered or damaged netting is not repaired or replaced. This leaves holes big enough for the birds to get in, but unable to escape.
- The net is loosely fastened. Netting that isn’t pulled tight will have gaps at the top, bottom, and sides. This lets birds slip through and get caught in the folds.
- You prioritise aesthetics over safety. Dark, thin netting is more difficult to see, especially in low visibility conditions.
- There is a lack of consistent maintenance. Bird nets should be checked regularly for repairs, but also to make sure no wildlife has been caught in there.
Is bird netting an ethical bird repellant?
Birds need to nest, so stopping them for no good reason isn’t kind to local wildlife.
But, sometimes prevention is necessary for safety and legal reasons. Some examples include when vegetation is being cut back, building work is under-way, or nesting birds are causing structural damage.
In cases such as these, using well-installed and maintained netting is an ethical choice of bird control. Just make sure:
- The area is surveyed for wildlife prior to installation.
- The netting is easily visible in all conditions.
- Netting is pulled taut, with no gaps for entry.
- Regular checks for damage and trapped wildlife are carried out.
- A ‘birdscape’ mechanism is incorporated. This allows an emergency, one-way exit, should the birds enter the net.
What if I have faulty bird netting?
Should you find a fault in your installed bird netting, here are the next steps to take:
- Check the netting for trapped wildlife.
If a bird is trapped and you believe you can safely release it, do so immediately. If you cannot or you need assistance contact your local wildlife rescue.
Report the incident to the property manager if wildlife is trapped in a commercial building or netting.
- Immediately repair.
For quick fixes, like small rips and loose fastenings, you can repair them without replacing the entire net. It’s important to do this as soon as possible to prevent possible accidents.
- Prevention and maintenance
When the damage done to your bird netting is more extensive, a total replacement is necessary.
It’s best to call a professional in bird control to install the net. This makes sure it will be safe and effective.
Even after new netting is installed, regular maintenance and checks are needed. If a net cannot be well maintained it should be taken down.
Final thoughts
Using bird netting to deter birds is an effective and humane way to prevent nesting when installed properly. A secure fit and regular maintenance are key to protecting your home, crops, and local wildlife.
