Bird netting is a common solution used to keep birds away from crops, buildings, patios, and other areas. However, there are concerns that bird netting may pose risks for wildlife. In this article, we’ll examine both sides of the debate around bird netting safety.
What is bird netting?
Bird netting, also called bird exclusion netting, is a mesh material installed over an area to block birds from accessing it. It is often made of nylon, polyethylene, polypropylene or other durable and UV-resistant material. The netting comes in various sizes of mesh openings, such as 5/8 inch, 3/4 inch or 1 inch.
The netting is secured in place by hooks, ropes, cables or other mounting hardware. It can be installed over small areas like doorways or patios, or large spaces like orchards, vineyards, blueberry fields and warehouses.
Bird netting provides an effective physical barrier. Birds are unable to land on or gain access to the area due to the netting. It is a popular, cost-effective method to protect crops, buildings and landscapes from bird damage.
Is bird netting safe for birds?
When installed and used appropriately, bird netting poses little risk of harming birds. However, there are some potential safety issues to consider.
Entanglement
Birds can become entangled in loose, unsecured netting, leading to injury or death. Proper installation of netting is crucial – it should be taut with no sagging sections. All edges should be tightly secured to prevent openings where birds could enter and become trapped. Slack netting should be promptly fixed to prevent entanglement risks.
Collisions
Birds may collide with tightly strung netting, especially if they are flying at high speeds, unaware that a barrier is present. This risk is highest around netted buildings or other structures in migration pathways. Proper visibility and warnings like flagging can reduce the chances of bird collisions.
Exclusion
Completely excluding birds from a food source may negatively impact their ability to survive or migrate. While netting over small fruit crops likely poses little risk, large-scale exclusion should be carefully considered. Providing alternative food sources can help offset total exclusion.
Predation
Birds inside netted enclosures may be more vulnerable to predators – especially if the mesh size is too large. Birds trapped inside should be released quickly to avoid potential predation.
Exhaustion
Exhausted migratory birds that collide with and become stuck in netting are at higher risk of predation. Careful netting use along migration routes is advised.
However, the risks from properly installed and maintained bird netting are generally low, especially compared to other deterrents like sticky gels or noise devices. With careful use, birds can be safely and humanely excluded from areas.
Is bird netting safe for other wildlife?
Besides birds, there are a few other wildlife species that may interact with bird netting and potentially be at risk, such as:
Bats
Bats can become entangled in loose netting, especially around roost sites and water sources. Tight netting installation is important to minimize risks to bats.
Squirrels and chipmunks
Small climbing mammals like squirrels and chipmunks may get inside netted enclosures and have trouble getting back out. Regular monitoring for trapped animals is recommended.
Snakes
Snakes can get stuck in netting, which may cause injury or death. Ensure netting has a tight mesh size that snakes cannot squeeze into.
Lizards
Like snakes, lizards can become ensnared in loose mesh netting as they move through vegetation.
Frogs and toads
Mesh sizes larger than 1/4 inch could potentially entrap small amphibians like tree frogs if netting is placed directly on moist ground surfaces.
Turtles
Turtles and tortoises have a risk of getting flipped over and trapped under loose netting, leaving them exposed to predators.
Regular inspection and proper netting tension can prevent issues for most wildlife species. Care should be taken to release any animals found trapped in netted areas.
Best practices for safe bird netting use
When installed and maintained correctly, bird netting can be used safely around wildlife. Here are some best practices:
- Choose tightly woven netting with mesh openings less than 3/4 inch.
- Ensure netting has high tensile strength but little elasticity or ability to stretch.
- Pull netting taut during installation to eliminate loose areas where animals could get caught.
- Secure edges tightly to posts, wires, buildings or fencing.
- Check for and repair any holes, rips or gaps in the netting.
- Use proper netting hardware designed for wildlife exclusion.
- Avoid low-hanging netting areas accessible to wildlife on the ground.
- Use high-visibility flagging, cord or tape along top net edges.
- Monitor netted areas regularly for any animals trapped or trying to access.
- Remove netting immediately after seasonal use rather than leaving up indefinitely.
Properly installed netting should have no looseness and openings along the outer edges to prevent birds and other wildlife from entering and becoming entrapped. Taking steps to use bird netting cautiously will minimize any risks to local wildlife populations.
Potential alternatives to bird netting
For some applications, there may be alternatives to netting that reduce wildlife exclusion and entanglement risks. Potential options include:
- Physical barriers like overhead wires, rods, or branches over doorways or small openings.
- Metal or plastic bird spikes along ledges and roof lines.
- Motion-activated sprinklers or water spray deterrents.
- Falcon-shaped kites or decoys to scare birds.
- Ultrasonic or electronic noise repellents.
- Visual deterrents like flash tape, predator decoys or laser lights.
- Odor repellents using predator urine, garlic or essential oils.
- Non-sticky bird gels or pastes.
However, these techniques may be less effective than netting for large spaces or high bird pressure. A combination of deterrents, limited netting and tolerance of some bird activity may be required in many cases.
Conclusion
Responsible installation and maintenance of bird netting can allow safe exclusion of birds from crops, buildings and other sites. However, care must be taken to minimize risks to birds and other wildlife species. Proper net tension, small mesh size, monitoring and removal when not in use are important. With careful use following wildlife-conscious guidelines, bird netting can effectively protect valued space while not posing unreasonable hazards to local animals.