How To Keep Birds Out Of Rafters

How To Keep Birds Out Of Rafters

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If youve owned your home or managed a warehouse for any length of time, you know that sparrows, starlings, and pigeons frequently roost or nest on rafters. These areas simply provide a natural nesting spot for birds. If theres a food and water source nearby, youve got the perfect nesting and roosting place.

Before resorting to lethal pest bird deterrents--like poisons or BB guns--consider the environment. Are there children or pets in the area? Lethal bird measures can be potentially dangerous to both. Moreover, would you want to climb through the rafters searching for dead birds? To be safe, you would have to remove any dead birds you find to prevent the spread of the diseases many birds carry. Finally, many birds are protected by local, state and federal statutes, often resulting in fines for their destruction or even for tampering with their nests. Given all these drawbacks, its easy to understand why so many property owners have turned to non-lethal bird deterrents to keep pest birds out of their rafters.

One of the most poplar ways to keep pest birds out of rafters is through the use of Bird Netting. This humane, effective pest bird deterrent presents a physical barrier that will deny birds access. Its the ideal solution for keeping sparrows, starlings and pigeons from roosting in the nooks and crannies of your rafters. If you want to keep birds out of the rafters in your home or garage, you can install bird netting in a few hours using a simple staple gun. If you manage a garage or warehouse, a crew can install the netting in a day or so.

The most durable Bird netting available is usually made from a knotted polyethelyne twine made of U.V.-stabilized mesh. Its light and easy to handle, and it typically comes in several stock sizes and mesh openings--including 2-inch mesh and 3/4-inch mesh. Use the 2-inch mesh for pigeons and the smaller mesh size for sparrows and starlings. The best netting is ISO 1806-protocol mesh tested, rot-proof and UV-protected to last longer.

If you do not have the access or ability to net off a rafter area you could consider calling a pest control professional for help. There are authorized insallers trained in the art of hanging bird net in residential, commercial and industrial settings.

Before installing bird netting, clean out any old nests, bird droppings and other bird debris. When youre ready to install the netting, measure the area to be netted and get a good pair of scissors. Before you cut, double-check your dimensions. (Remember the old carpenters saw: measure twice, cut once.) Allow about 6 inches of netting for perimeter fastening and overlap seams. Always cut a bit more netting than you will actually need. Overlap the netting pieces at least 6 inches. Install poly hardware seam fasteners every 6 inches on both sides of the seam along the nettings full length. Use Twist Locks, Net Ties or Poly Cord to seal the seams. Dont use metal net rings to seal the seams.

To properly install bird netting around obstructions (like light fixtures) that hang lower than the installed netting, fit the netting around the objects by cutting slits or X cuts big enough to accommodate the object. If the obstruction is near an outer edge, cut straight from the edge to the obstruction. If it's in the center, cut a slit or X in the net below the object and pass it through the mesh, then seal the netting behind it.

After youve installed bird netting under the rafters, make sure all vents are screened so birds are completely locked out of your home, garage or warehouse. When in doubt about proper installation, consult a bird control expert such as the bird control engineers at Bird-B-Gone Inc.

About the Author:
Alex Kecskes is a freelance writer focusing on humane bird control. To learn more about keeping birds out of rafters visit Bird-B-Gone, Inc. http://www.birdbgone.com



Article Originally Published On: http://www.articlesnatch.com


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