Bird netting is a physical barrier designed to protect valuable areas like fruit trees, vegetable gardens, or structural elements from unwanted bird activity. Its primary function is to exclude birds from a specific zone, preventing them from consuming crops, damaging property, or creating unsanitary nesting sites. Successful installation of this humane and non-toxic method hinges entirely on careful planning and the selection of the correct materials. Proper preparation ensures the net acts as an impenetrable shield rather than a hazard.
Selecting the Right Netting and Materials
The selection process begins with identifying the target bird species, as this dictates the necessary mesh size for effective exclusion. For small birds like sparrows and finches, a mesh size of \(3/4\) inch (19mm) is required to prevent them from passing through the openings. If the primary concern is larger species such as pigeons, seagulls, or crows, a wider mesh of 2 inches (51mm) is often sufficient. Choosing a mesh that is too large for the target bird risks them becoming entangled or injured, which is why a smaller size is often safer and a mesh of \(3/4\) inch will stop all sizes of birds.
The material composition also affects the netting’s longevity and performance in various environments. High-density polyethylene (HDPE) and nylon are common materials, with HDPE often preferred for its UV resistance and durability, making it suitable for long-term outdoor use. UV stabilization is an important factor, as continuous sun exposure quickly degrades non-treated netting, causing it to become brittle and fail prematurely. Support structures, such as tensioning wires, perimeter cables, or PVC piping, are also necessary to ensure the net is taut and suspended away from the protected area.
Essential Pre-Installation Steps
Before unrolling any material, accurately measuring the area is a preparatory step that determines the net size and necessary hardware. Measurements must account for a necessary buffer or overlap, ensuring there is enough material to secure the net around its entire perimeter and provide adequate slack for tensioning. For instance, when covering fruit trees, the net must be large enough to drape over the entire canopy and secure tightly at the trunk, without resting directly on the branches.
The installation zone must be cleared of any debris or obstructions that could snag or tear the netting during the process. For fruit trees, this involves trimming back any overly long or sharp branches that might poke through the material. On structures, existing bird nests, droppings, and loose materials should be removed to prepare a clean surface for hardware attachment. Gathering all necessary tools and securing hardware saves considerable time during the installation itself. Hardware may include:
- Hog rings
- Specialized clips
- Zip ties
- Tensioning wire
- Appropriate fasteners for the mounting surface
Step-by-Step Installation Guide
Establishing the Support Structure
The installation process begins with establishing the perimeter support structure, which creates the necessary framework to hold the net away from the protected area. For protecting a garden or orchard, this may involve setting up a system of poles or hoops connected by tensioned wire or cable. This structural support should be robust enough to withstand wind and the weight of the net, ensuring it does not sag over time.
Deploying the Netting
Next, the netting must be carefully unrolled and positioned to minimize tangling, which is a common frustration with lightweight mesh. It helps to concertina-fold the net before deployment, allowing it to flow smoothly over the support structure or tree canopy. When covering a tree, two people can work together, using long poles or brooms to lift the net over the highest point without damaging branches or fruit. The goal is to cover the entire volume of the area to be protected, ensuring the netting remains slack enough not to press against the protected surface.
Securing the Perimeter
Securing the net’s edges is the most important step for ensuring long-term effectiveness and preventing bird entrapment. All perimeters of the netting must be fastened tightly to the support structure or mounting surface to eliminate any gaps that birds could exploit. For agricultural applications, the bottom edge should be secured to the ground, perhaps by burying it, using pegs, or weighing it down with gravel-filled tubes. The primary goal is to ensure that the net is gathered completely around the trunk and tied off to prevent birds from walking underneath the barrier.
Structural Anchoring
When installing on structures like eaves, the net must be anchored using specialized clips or fasteners spaced closely together, such as every 12 inches (30.5 cm), to maintain continuous tension and a secure barrier. Maintaining adequate tension is important because a sagging net is easily compromised by birds and can also create pockets where birds can get trapped between the net and the protected surface. The final check involves inspecting the entire perimeter for any small openings that could allow entry or cause entanglement.
Maintaining Effectiveness and Removal
Once the netting is installed, regular inspection is necessary to ensure its continued effectiveness throughout the season. The net should be checked periodically, especially after severe weather events, for any tears, holes, or areas where the tension has slackened. Minor damage should be repaired immediately using zip ties or specialized repair kits to prevent small breaches from becoming large failures.
It is also important to check the enclosed area for any trapped birds, which can happen if a small gap was missed during installation. If a bird is found, it should be released safely to maintain the humane aspect of the exclusion method. At the end of the season, or when protection is no longer needed, the netting should be removed, cleaned of any debris, and completely dried. The material should then be rolled, rather than folded, to prevent creasing and tangling, ensuring it remains in good condition for the next use.