22 Sep 2022 | Apex Environmental Services (UK) Ltd
It’s no secret that the UK’s major cities have a pretty substantial bird problem. Not only are they a pest when it comes to noise and leaving droppings, but bird infestations can actually pose health risks, especially if they have free reign to settle in a commercial or industrial area.
From the health risks posed by guano (bird droppings) to the flea infestation risks posed by continued bird presence, birds nesting on your property are both a nuisance and a safety hazard.
However, UK government legislation makes it rather difficult to get rid of birds from nesting on your property. In fact, once any wild birds have nested on your property, it’s illegal to disrupt, disturb, or get rid of their nest.
One humane, safe, and the legal way you can discourage birds from settling on commercial property is by using commercial anti-bird netting. But what is anti-bird netting, and how does it work? Let’s take a look.
What is commercial anti-bird netting?
Commercial anti-bird netting is a large, net-like fabric that is used to cover the roofs of commercial buildings and properties. It prevents birds from being able to access the roof of your property and use it to nest, gather food, or settle. Unlike some illegal methods, professional bird netting is also a humane way of dealing with persistent bird problems: birds are unlikely to become caught in the netting, and will instead search for a property that is easier to access.
What counts as a commercial building?
When it comes to installing bird netting, a commercial building can refer to any non-residential property. This can include the following:
- Office buildings
- Sports stadiums
- Industrial buildings
- High-rise (non-residential) buildings
- Hospital buildings
- Factories
- Airports
How can bird netting protect your property?
There are numerous ways your commercial property can benefit from installing anti-bird netting. From ensuring a clean workplace for your employees to preventing property damage, here are just some ways professional netting can protect your property:
Keep your customers and employees safe
As previously mentioned, birds pose not just a nuisance risk but also a safety risk. Guano (bird droppings) can be incredibly dangerous, as when it dries, it can emit harmful particles that contain pathogens and illness-causing bacteria. If you want to ensure the safety of both your employees and customers, bird netting is an easy way to minimize this risk from pests.
Remain humane
Let’s face it, nobody wants to harm birds - even if they are a pest. Not only that, but other methods to deter and remove birds (and their nests) can even be considered in violation of the law. Anti-bird netting is legal, safe, and humane for the birds - it’s not a bird trap or removal system, simply a safe deterrent.
Reduce liability risks
Letting pest problems endure on your property can make you or your business liable if a customer or employee ends up falling ill because of it. Installing anti-bird netting proves that you’ve shown the initiative to deal with the problem, reducing your risk of being liable for any damages.
Prevent risks associated with the guano
While you may walk past guano every day and think nothing of it, bird droppings can be incredibly harmful when they dry into surfaces. This can cause serious problems if birds are nesting or settling on your roof and leaving guano everywhere, as your roof is probably the part of your building that is regularly cleaned the least.
Protect your property from damage
Not only do birds carry harmful pathogens and pose a health risk, but bird guano can also even pose a risk to the integrity of your property. Bird guano is known to contain uric acid, which can create rot in the structure of your building. Depending on the amount of guano, this can cause floor damage, ceiling damage, and even cause leaks in your property. Rather than ranking up claims on your property insurance to fix the damage (or worse, paying out of pocket), installing bird netting is an affordable, efficient and humane way to deal with bird infestations.
Plus, anti-bird netting can even protect your property from other types of damage, such as stray footballs and golf balls. The netting provides something of cushion for your roof, meaning that any collisions will first come into contact with the netting, not your property. Bonus!
Prevents birds from nesting inside your building
Did you know that birds can climb through the ventilation structure on your property and nest inside your building? This can create a breeding ground for bacteria and rot, rendering your property unsafe for commercial use. Installing commercial anti-bird netting can keep birds off your roof and out of your vents.
How much does commercial anti-bird netting cost?
The cost of commercial anti-bird netting will largely depend on the size of your property. For larger buildings, such as stadiums, factories, and airports, the cost will be higher, not just because of their size, but due to the fact installation methods might be slightly more complex.
Is industrial anti-bird netting legal?
Anti-bird netting is 100% legal and is the most humane method available in the UK to deal with bird infestations. However, it is a deterrent method, not a removal method. Currently, it is against UK law to remove or disturb any active bird's nest on your property.
In order to make your netting as safe as possible for birds, you’ll want to ensure correct installation; faulty installation can lead to birds getting caught in the netting, and perishing on your roof. We’d always recommend using a commercial anti bird netting installation service for a professional installation.
FAQs
Does anti-bird netting work for high-rise properties?
Yes. Anti-bird netting is suitable for all types of properties, including high-rise industrial buildings and high-rise residential buildings alike.
How can I discourage birds from nesting on my property?
Deterrents such as bird decoys and scarecrows are rather outdated methods, especially when it comes to protecting large commercial properties. Anti-bird netting is the most effective way to prevent birds from nesting on a large property.
