Use of Pigeon Netting to Keep Birds Away from Your Crops

Pigeon Netting has been primarily used for the purpose of keeping birds away from a particular area. For this reason, it is often seen on the outside of buildings, particularly in cities, to discourage pigeons from roosting, and is obviously where the netting gets its name from. It has also been used by growers to keep birds from landing on or harming plants or seeds. However, there are also a number of different uses for this type of netting which are geared specifically towards the need to train plants to grow in a particular direction, and thereby increasing the amount of harvest seen. Bird net is a great substitute for what is known as scrog net. Some growers may have heard of this term before, and may only recognize it as a type of growing technique. The name actually is an abbreviation for the name screen of green which is placed above growing plants to aid in the growth process. This method of growing is designed to help bring all levels of the plant to the higher level of the upper canopy to improve the plant’s access to light, and thereby seeing an improvement in growth.

How Pigeon Netting Can Improve Crop Yields

Throughout time, growers have looked for ways to improve their crop yields. The use of netting is one of these common ways to help train a plant to grow in the best way possible to produce a higher yield. This helps the plants to grow as efficiently as possible. The result is a plant that is bushier and produces a higher yield. The process of scrogging uses netting that is placed above the plants. As the top of the plant reaches the height of the screen, it is then tied to the screen to encourage it to grow outward instead of upward. When this process is combined with topping, there is even a higher harvest experienced. This process involves simply cutting the tops of the plant off at strategic locations so that it continues to grow outward on the netting instead of upward. These two methods make it possible for the plant to have more access to light and make the growing process much more efficient.

Netting Increases Access to Light

One of the largest benefits of training plants with pigeon netting is that it helps to improve the access to light that plant gets. Because the leaves of the plant are what absorb the most light, when they are grown in a single layer at the same height, the light is able to be absorbed efficiently, and allows the plant to grow much more efficiently, as it is not wasting energy. Similarly, it helps to ensure the yield from each plant which is comparable to that of the other plants being grown at the same time. This is because plants are all trained to grow at the same canopy level and will not overshadow another plant. Not to mention, since any short branches are trimmed so that they do not produce anything that is less than ideal, and all of the plant’s energy is able to be focused on producing the highest quality yield possible.

Why Use a Scrog Net

The use of scrog may appear to be more time consuming for the grower to use, but there are a number of instances when the time required significantly outweighs the time needed. This process is ideal for growers who are looking to have a higher yield but have limited space. Because the plants have the potential to increase their yield by 20%, there is less need for more plants to be planted, as well as less space needed to grow the plants. It is also ideal for use with plants that are known for growing fairly large. The use of the net helps to spread the growth out in a smaller space while not hurting the yield, not to mention it helps to prevent growth from going down to the ground, where it will receive limited access to light. For specific types of plants, like indica and sativa strains, where there are regulations on the number of plants permitted to be grown by a gardener, this is even more important. This process is also great for use indoors, which some growers have found to be an ideal setting for a number of different plants they may be seeking to grow.

Pigeon Netting is Great for SCROG Net

Because pigeon netting is affordable, and is easy to adjust to the needs of the growing area, it makes it an ideal choice for those looking to use this method of growing. To use this method, the grower simply allows the plant to grow a few inches above the screen before redirecting branches so they grow at a single height of the screen. This creates the ideal canopy for the branches, leaves, and buds on the plant to get the right amount of light. In this process, the grower will also cut off small branches and side shoots which will only waste energy and will not produce anything come harvest. One word of caution though with this type of growing is if deciding to tuck the growth into the screen instead of typing it into place, it should be done with great caution so as not to accidentally cause damage to the plant.

Training Your Crops Effectively

The use of bird netting clearly goes far beyond the use of trying to keep birds from getting access to valuable crops. Pigeon Netting is particularly useful for training plants to grow in a particular direction, and help to improve the overall crop yield. One of the most commonly developed uses of netting in growing and training crops, is by using it as a SCROG net for specific types of plants. It is ideal for use with hemp and particularly good for use with sativa strains. It is estimated that the use of this type of netting can help to increase a harvest by 20% when used properly. This is something which is well worth the cost and effort for any grower.

Making nesting places inhospitable and hostile for Pigeon control

Spring and autumn are the peak seasons of pigeons’ breeding. They find shelters in slopes, shelves and open blocks of walls for their nesting. These birds have the ability to steal from crops very easily and quickly. Particularly at small orchards, the damage of agricultural products is at a significant level. This damage is not ignorable and can easily be detected as it follows specific trends or patterns and usually increases at the time of crops maturation. Generally throughout the year and particularly in the mentioned seasons, they become a source of great irritation for the homeowners and those who are associated with farming or agricultural business either at small or large scale. Proper techniques for pigeon control are required to make the slots or places inhospitable for pigeons where they tend to make nests. Pigeons mostly depend on humans for their feed. They prefer to live near agricultural or green areas, warehouses of factories and grain production units. Apart from any proper techniques, just avoiding pigeon feeding can also prove to be useful in getting rid of these uninvited guests and save your personal properties, farms and crops.

10 pigeon control or pigeon proofing techniques are elaborated as under:

1. Make use of netting

Netting is an actually operative and successful technique. Most of the times, a net which is available in different material types and sizes is fixed directly over the crops to block the approach of pigeons. When crops are cultivated over large area of land, this method can be expensive but it is considered as a one-time investment. This is because the net once purchased, has long life. Once it is applied over the agricultural land, it can be reapplied for a number of times.

2. Pigeon traps

A subtype of netting is live pigeon traps. These traps catch pigeons without causing any harm to them. Like rat traps, pigeons and birds are attracted towards food items, grains or corns, which are placed inside the ploy. They enter the traps from one side and see other pigeons already there and the entrance is closed afterwards.

3. Pigeon spikes and wires

Pigeon spikes and wires are used as a cost effective technique of pigeon control. These spikes and wires are placed at balcony or slopes outside windows.

4. Remove all sorts of food and water sources

Taking away all sorts of food and water sources from the places where pigeons are comfortable to roost or make their nests can also decrease the birds’ interest. In case of agricultural land, drop showers and fertilizer feeders are used instead of direct supply to crops.

5. Ovo-control

It is another chemical mixed birds’ attractive product. Pigeons get hooked up with it quite easily. It is considered as a cheaper technique as compared to netting and spiking.

6. Use of Get Liquids

Gel liquids, that are either hot or slippery are also applied at land surfaces and areas which are birds’ friendly. These fluids do not harm the birds. This is a temporary and messy remedy for pigeon control.

7. Scaring the pigeons

The use of scaring tactics through various visual and noise making devices was common in past, but now their practice has become scarce. For this purpose plastic snakes and owls or other big birds were kept in the crops. Canons were used sometimes to make explosions and frighten birds. The reason of unsuccessful reputation of these tactics is that, pigeons and other birds become familiar with these and with the passage of time they do not get scared of these things.

8. Electrified devices

Electrified devices give a light dose of voltage to pigeons, making them annoyed and disturbed at once and they leave their place immediately. These devices sometimes include spikes and different sort of wires as well.

Chemical sprays and repellents are also used at small fruits and crops which temporarily change the smell and taste of grains or fruits and prevent pigeons from taking those. Methyl Anthranilate, Methiocarb and Mesuorol are the registered and commonly used chemicals for this purpose. These chemicals are somehow not considered good for human health as well.

9. Lethal techniques

These techniques are adapted rarely for pigeon control. These include getting rid of pigeons and birds through shooting and killing. Legal procedure is also involved to take permission for such activities.

10. Placing dead pigeons

Placing dead pigeons at places where pigeon control is necessary can also be useful. According to a study, birds also do funerals in their own way. They warn and alert other birds about nearby dangers.

Apart from these techniques, crops are guarded and grown through high-wires and nets. Even some of the agricultural crops such as tomato and cucumber are known as high wired crops.  This high wire technique assures large production of crops and also save them from pigeons and other birds. However it changes the production pattern in many ways. A high wire crop also has high productivity and growth rate. Hail netting is a bit similar to it, and is one of the oldest and widely used methods for crops’ protection. Thunderstorms, hailing, heavy rain and other natural calamities cause fatal damage to crops. Hail netting includes nets which are usually thick in density and protected with woven, UV polyethylene, or canopy (non-stretchable) coating.

Avoidance is Threat

Pigeon control is crucial also because these birds are messy creature. They carry injurious viruses with them. Presence of pigeons leads to the birth and growth of pests like ticks, lice and louses. Avoiding pigeon control can impair human life by causing many harmful diseases. One of such diseases is a sort of fungal infection known as Histoplasmosis. It is caused when human body inhales such virus with dust containing pigeon dropping. Another disease is Cryptococcosis which is rarely found, but individuals suffer from immune system infections due to this. In addition to these two, Psittacosis is another transferable infection. It is shifted from pigeons to other birds, such as parrots and also to the human beings.

The nest of pigeon is home to a number of bugs. When thrown somewhere or abandoned, these bugs spread all around. Wiping out the places that were host to pigeons with anti-bacterial sprays and chemicals can decrease the toxic effects of the presence of such bugs.

Assets in Urban and Rural Environment are Best Protected with Pigeon Netting.

Physical Barrier on Farms and Buildings

Agricultural crops and buildings in urban areas are under the constant threat of pigeons. Pigeon netting is an exclusion device we can often see in our surroundings. It is widely applicable by farmers in the protection of valuable assets, especially fruit crops. Netting serves as a physical barrier that can be combined with some other deterrents, for example, sound devices. Pigeon netting is also effective against wild birds. The extensive use in the urban environment has been conditioned by the fact that it is necessary to protect buildings, especially those of public interest, from persistent pigeons that can damage roofs or ruin the aesthetic quality of the facades. Balconies are especially endangered. Although gulls, sparrows, and some other species are efficiently repelled by netting, it is important to think of different gauges each species demands. Sometimes, it happens that several bird species roost on the buildings. The holes in the nylon bird netting need to be small enough to prevent birds from entering the restricted area. If such net is placed horizontally, the birds will not be able to lend on the net or to walk on it. However, some horizontal implementation will exclude all species from the area but small mesh size will not prevent pigeons from walking or landing on the net. This permanent problem does not have a universal solution.

Oriented and Extruded Plastic Netting

Agricultural sector deals with a lot of bird species. Pigeon netting varies in type and size according to targeted species and to the kind of crop and its surroundings. Basically, netting is made of plastic material (polyethylene or polypropylene), and it is divided into oriented and extruded type. In most cases, oriented netting has been implemented horizontally. It can stretch easily for its lightweight and tensile characteristics. Oriented netting is a good choice not only for crops but for ponds coverings as well. It protects from bird pests and debris. Extruded netting is known for its stable structure that is suitable for the vertical application. It can protect fruit trees from predators. A large variety of the pigeon netting application demands the variety of sizes.  A size of 7 mm for oriented netting is the most popular. Extruded netting can have diamond or square meshes. Plastic material the netting is made of is UV stabilized. That means, it is resistant to ultraviolet rays and it can serve well in bird proofing without changing its shape in summer. In accordance with the fact that knotless netting is more solid than the popular knotted type, it is nowadays preferred in bird proofing work.

Netting for Poultry Protection

Speaking about poultry netting, there are also various types available. The galvanized chicken wire has been considered as traditional, corrosion resistant net with a long lifespan. PVC coated chicken wire belongs to high-quality materials that are durable and UV resistant as well as stainless steel chicken wire that is stable in harsh surroundings. Some poultry fences have also been made of plastics and designed to protect the poultry and to provide safe rearing. Predators are always attracted to poultry, and one way to protect it is to close it in the area confined with oriented plastic netting. A small mesh size of such net will not allow predators to enter the pen or coop. Wire mesh is a metal article with the greatest applicability for the variety of everyday purposes. Steel, aluminum, copper, and brass are among most commonly used materials. Durability and efficiency are highly rated characteristics of quality netting. They are supposed to last for several years and to protect poultry with an equal reliability throughout the seasons. Weather conditions shouldn’t leave any trace on the high-quality netting. Sustainable poultry rearing demands highest standards as the only way to increase productivity and prevent losses.

Proper Installation and Adequate Maintenance

In the process of its manufacturing, nylon pigeon netting undergoes so-called ‘heat set’. During this procedure, the net stretches under the steam for a significant period of time. The twine and the knots will gain the shape they are going to preserve until the end of its lifespan. Netting is available in different colors. It is important for the netting is supposed to fit the color of the building it protects. Looking from the outside, it is discreet and almost invisible if installed and maintained in accordance with the instruction. On farms, the color is not of such a great importance. What is important in both cases is that pigeon netting will resist even the heaviest weather conditions. Chemicals, water, and UV rays should not represent any issue, and farmers can point their attention to other aspects of growing plants. Proper installation and adequate maintenance guarantee the lasting quality service of the product. In this case, it can last even for ten years. One has to keep in mind that the basic installation is similar but different kinds of crops may demand some specifics. Although bird pest protection is the main purpose of netting, it plays a role in animal and insect control as well.

It is important to emphasize a difference between the installation of pigeon netting in urban and in rural environments. The targeted species should be defined at the beginning since a lot depends on the correct choice of the gauge. Color is important for building, and the application of netting should by no means affect the overall appearance. Quality nets will protect vertical and horizontal surfaces but sloping roofs are not excluded. As the netting serves as a physical barrier, its main goal is to completely deter birds from the confined area without violating the legislation. If the installation has been carried out in accordance with highest standards, the netting may last for a decade.