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Handi Pockets 2c6bn Storage Accessory Walker Tapestry Birds nest with ZipperHere come the Swallows, it must be spring.ย Each year these beautiful birds begin to build their mud nests on our buildings, barns, homes and other areas like bridges.ย The eave of your home provides the perfect nest building spot for swallows; providing protection form the elements and predators. ย Each year homeowners are plagued with swallow nests and the mess and debris they bring with them.
It is worth noting that in the United States, all swallows are classified as migratory insectivorous birds under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918.ย Swallows are also protected by state regulations.ย Once the birds have begun to build their nests it is too late to get rid of them.ย Control methods should be enacted before the swallows return.ย This will guard against potential fines for disturbing nests or injuring the birds.
Nesting Sites:
Swallows will usually build their nests in a nice shady spot such as under the eaves of a home, bridge or overpasses, and other areas with right angles to the walls.ย ย The swallows will choose a wall texture that is easy to "stick" their nesting material to such as wood, stucco, masonry and concrete.
Damage:
Swallows like to nest in colonies thus causing a large problem for building and homeowners.ย Thousands of dollars of damage is caused each year from their droppings and nesting debris.ย Not only is the droppings left behind by swallows unsightly, it can be hazardous; carrying diseases that can be transmitted to humans.ย The nests will eventually fall to the ground where there is a chance that the bugs, fleas, ticks and mites found in them can spread to domestic animals such as dogs and cats.
How to Deter:
Exclusion is the best method of deterring pest swallows.ย You must make it impossible for the birds to build their nests.ย There are several methods of exclusion that can be used.
Bird Netting: A plastic netting with a 3/4 " mesh can be hung from the outer edge of the eave of the home down to the side of the wall creating a 45 degree angle.ย This will keep the swallows from getting into the favored sheltered space under the eaves of homes and buildings to build their nests.ย Note: Install the netting before the swallows arrive.ย It may be left up all year or taken down after the nesting season. Bird Spikes: Installing plastic or stainless steel birds spikes at the junction where the wall meets the home keep the swallows from getting a foothold on the wall and attaching their nesting material.ย Bird spikes are easy to install using adhesive or screws. Slippery Panel: There are products available that create a smooth surface under the eave of your home so that the swallows are not able to "stick" their nesting material to it. ย These products are generally made of a PVC plastic that is attached under the eave with adhesive. Creating a slick surface on the nesting walls will discourage the birds and they will look elsewhere to find a good nesting spot. Swallow Guard (No Nasty Nest) is anew product on the market that uses a fine clear wire attach to a clear Plexiglas base that is ready to adhere to the eaves of your home or business.ย The swallows will not fly through this "distraction" and therefore not build their nest in areas protected by swallow guard.NOTE: Do not use a sticky gel to deter Swallows.ย The gel should only be use for ledges where birds land, not walls.
The best advise to keep swallows off of your home or commercial building is to do something before the swallows arrive.ย Put up netting, bird spikes, slippery panels or other means of deterring nest building before the swallows begin to build.ย Once the birds arrive and start building their nests, it is nearly impossible to get rid of them.ย Some will try to hose down the nests at they are being built to no avail.ย The swallows are tenacious birds and will just keep building and building if the spot is ideal for them. You must also be aware of the laws that protect these birds; you do not want to be fined!
Fran Prisco lives and writes in Southern California. She has been in the bird control industry for over 8 years. Her areas of interests span from running and bicycling to volunteer work and golfing.
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How To Prevent Swallows From Building Nests On Your Home And CommercialOne of the most effective ways to deter pest birds is through the use of bird netting.
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Growers and farmers have discovered that this is a great way to keep cornfields, fruit orchards and vineyards from being ravaged.ย For example, lightweight plastic mesh netting is ideal for protecting fruit trees, blueberry bushes, gardens, vineyards, eaves and more from pest birds. This netting is virtually invisible, available in large sizes, and easy to work with. Better bird netting is U.V. protected to last longer. Lightweight bird netting can also be used as a temporary barrier to block birds from getting into storage garages, barns and warehouses.
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Installing Bird Nettingย
There are a variety of ways to install lightweight bird netting. For fruit trees, vegetable gardens, blueberry bushes and grape vines, the netting should be suspended. When draping over a fruit tree, measure the circumference of the tree and cut the net so that you are left with at least one foot extra. You should then secure the netting with twine, zip ties, or hogย rings.
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For blueberry bushes and grape vines, suspend the netting over the bush or vine and allow at least 6 inches of space. This will prevent pest birds from sitting on the net and poking their heads and beaks through the net to get at your fruit. One common way to suspend the netting over the bush or vine is to use a series of poles placed around the perimeter.ย If you want to protect vegetable gardens, you can either wrap the individual plants in netting or suspend the netting around the entire garden. Finally, to keep pest birds out of eaves and similar open spaces, the best lightweight bird netting comes with handy clips. You can also use a staple gun to secureย the netting around the perimeter.
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Heavy-Duty Bird Nettingย
For larger more demanding applications, there's heavy-duty bird netting. This netting is constructed of strong polyethylene and is typically used to block pest birds from entering air hangars, garages, factories, warehouses, canopies and other large areas. The best netting is this category is usually a U.V. resistant mesh, meets ISO 1806 mesh test standards and comes with a long guarantee--10 years. Some heavy-duty bird netting is rot proof, waterproof, flame resistant and sub-zero stable. This netting is available in various sizes and custom cuts and is preferred by architects. Heavy-duty bird netting should be installed properly or it will sag or droop. This can create gaps that birds can squeeze through. For best results, a cable should be set up around the perimeter of the netted area, and the net should then be attached to this cable.
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Bat Nettingย
If your facility or property is troubled by bats, you can get bat netting. This bird netting is 3/8" mesh and is typically available in 10'x10', 25'x25', and 50'x50' sizes. It will block bats from getting into eaves, attics, garages, and similar areas. The best bat netting is made from a strong polyethylene mesh, and carries a long guaranteeโ��as long as 10 years. Bat netting is installed much like most heavy-duty bird netting. Once a perimeter cable is set up, the net is secured to this cable and pulled taught around all edges to close up any gaps.
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Why You Need Bird Nettingย
You don't have to be a grower or vintner to appreciate the value of bird netting. Facilities managers and building owners know that pest birds can invade their property, causing extensive damage to courtyards, patios, storage yards and other open areas.
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One big problem with pest birds is their droppings. These pose a serious health hazard, since it's well known birds can carry any of 60 diseases. Bird nests and the mites that attach themselves to their feathers compound the problem. Feral pigeons, for example have been known to carry a bacterium that causes Salmonellosis. Pigeons can also carry Ornithosis, a disease that resembles viral pneumonia. Bird netting is the effective barrier deterrent that can keep out these disease carrying pests.
Airport managers know that pest birds can be a major headache in aircraft hangars. Facilities managers realize that when birds gather in eaves, canopies, support beams and other large open areas, bird droppings and nesting debris can end up in engines and delicate aviation parts and assemblies. What's more, when bird droppings fall onto the smooth floors in hangars, they can create serious slip-and-fall hazards. Bird netting is an effective deterrent that can prevent pest birds from nesting in these areas.
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In general, most building owners, whether private or public, will suffer from the invasion of pest birds. For example, bird droppings and nests can block gutters, drain pipes, and vents. They can jam up turbine ventilators, block light sensors, obscure security cameras, and ruin solar panels. Pest bird nests can also create ideal conditions for starting fires, as their dry twig and feathers make ideal kindling. Again, bird netting can keep out many of the birds that create these problems.
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Finally, food processors, packagers and other food intensive areas can suffer dearly from pest birds. Health inspectors visiting these facilities don't look kindly at pest bird infestations in these areas. They know that bird droppings can create all sorts of health hazards for foods being processed and readied for shipment. Birds can also eat into packaged products in loading docks and warehouses. Bird netting can keep pest birds out of these sensitive areas.
Alex Kecskes is a freelance writer focusing on effective bird control methods. To learn more about Bird Netting, please visit Bird Netting Online, http://www.birdnettingonline.com
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Bird Netting to Deter Pest BirdsSee delightful animated birds celebrate the opening of the "Birds Nest" Olympic Stadium in their own way. For more of Coca-Cola's Olympic TVCs and promotions visit www.icoke.cn Video Rating: 4 / 5
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CocaCola Birds Nest Olympic TVCMetalhead rocks the Bird's Nest
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Metalhead at the Birds Nest 1
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A Field Guide to Western Birds Nests
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Esschert Design Mirror Bird Nesting Box