Everything you need to know about bird netting and spikes

While many of us deliberately attract birds to our gardens with feeders and baths, there are some we’d rather avoid. The likes of gulls and pigeons are classified as pests and there’s good reason for this.

• Their droppings can be a slip hazard, look unsightly and damage buildings
• They can become aggressive towards humans when protecting their young
• They flock together in large numbers which means that infestations can get out of hand very quickly
• They carry a number of diseases which can be harmful to us
• They’re noisy 
• Their nesting materials can cause blockages to drains and pose a fire hazard 
• Clean-up costs are high

Preventing a bird infestation 

However what if you would like to prevent birds from nesting, we have a number of recommended solutions such as bird netting and spikes which are a fantastic deterrent and when installed correctly, are a great way to prevent infestations occurring in the first place. Below we list everything you need to know about bird netting and spikes so you can make the best decision for which is appropriate for your home or business.   

Bird netting

Bird netting is one of the most popular methods used by pest control companies. A net is used to prevent birds from reaching certain areas (such as the roof or window ledges which is where they’ll commonly nest). 

Pros

• It comes in many shapes and forms and is therefore well suited to all types of homes and commercial properties 
• It can also be used to protect agricultural crops 
• If you have a pond in your garden, nets can help protect your fish from hungry birds
• It’s subtle which will allow you to maintain the aesthetic quality of your home or office 
• Netting doesn’t cause any harm to the birds
• A single net can last as long as 10 years 

Cons

• Different netting is needed for different bird species. This is to ensure that the hole is small enough to prevent the targeted species from entering the netted area. This can be an issue if you have more than one species roosting on your building. Unfortunately, opting for the smallest size possible isn’t a simple solution either. If the gaps in the netting are too small, bigger birds such as pigeons will simply be able to walk over it so it won’t act as much of a deterrent. If you have multiple species nesting at your property, please speak to your local pest controller who will be able to advise you about the various different bird proofing solutions we offer

Bird spikes 

Bird control spikes consists of long, needle-like rods which are attached to building ledges, street lighting and commercial signage to prevent unwanted birds from perching or nesting. 

Pros

• It’s a highly effective way of preventing birds from perching or nesting on certain areas of your building
• It’s discreet
• It’s a humane method which gently pushes the birds off balance which forces them to go elsewhere 
• It can be fitted on any part of your premises where birds are likely to settle 
• It’s easy to install (please use a professional when trying to install bird spikes at a height)
• Long lasting and safe for the environment 
• Can be used on virtually any surface including brick, plastic, stone, wood, metal and even canvas

Cons 

• Spikes can gather feathers, droppings or nesting materials so will need to be cleaned if this happens 
• The spacing between the spikes can allow smaller birds such as starlings to continue to perch
• If installed incorrectly, spikes can be dangerous. Please always use a professional 

To book your free, no obligation pest control audit today, please get in touch with Prokill. We’ll put you in touch with your local pest controller who will be able to contain the problem quickly and safely. Alternatively you can call us on 0800 328 9354 with any questions at all.