Bird netting needs more than a one-off installation. Check for gaps, loose edges, torn mesh, damaged fixings and access zips left open after maintenance. If birds are inside the protected area or you find a nest in use, leave the area undisturbed and seek specialist advice before arranging repairs.
Bird netting can protect roof plant, loading bays, canopies and other parts of a commercial building from repeated bird activity. However, weather, building works and routine servicing can affect an installation over time. A small opening may be enough for birds to regain access. Regular visual checks help facilities managers spot problems early and arrange the right repair.
When should you check bird netting?
Include visible bird netting in routine property inspections. It is also sensible to check it after high winds, nearby building work, deliveries involving high equipment or maintenance behind the netting. The appropriate inspection frequency depends on the location, exposure and bird activity at your site.
You do not need to climb onto a roof or handle the netting to make an initial assessment. Record what you can safely see from an authorised vantage point and ask a specialist to inspect areas that are difficult to reach.
1 Look for gaps around the edges
Pay particular attention to corners, beams, ducting and places where the netting meets the building. A net may look intact across the middle while leaving an opening at a perimeter fixing or around a service penetration. Note any birds entering and leaving the same point: their movements can help identify a gap that is hard to see from the ground.
2 Check the mesh and its tension
Look for holes, frayed areas, sagging sections or netting that has pulled away from its support. Loose material may no longer exclude birds effectively and could present a risk of entanglement. A trained installer can assess whether a local repair is suitable or whether a larger section needs replacement.
3 Inspect fixings and support cables
Visible loose brackets, displaced clips or slack support cables deserve attention, particularly after work on the surrounding structure. The netting relies on the whole installation, not just the mesh. Avoid pulling it back into place yourself if the area requires work at height or if birds may be present behind it.
4 Check access zips after maintenance
Some bird netting systems include zipped openings so engineers can reach plant, ducting or pipework. Check that each opening is fully closed after the work, that its edges remain secure and that the zip has not been damaged. A simple close-out check for contractors can prevent an access point from becoming a new entry route.
If your current netting has no practical route to equipment that needs regular servicing, ask about a planned access opening before anyone cuts the mesh. Read our guide to bird netting with zip access.
5 Watch for bird activity behind the netting
Birds or fresh fouling inside a protected area suggest that the barrier is no longer working as intended. Do not simply close a gap if a bird could be trapped behind the netting. The area needs a careful assessment first, including a check for nests.
Wild birds and nests in use are protected by law. Where nesting activity is present, the work may need to change or wait; specialist advice should guide the next step. Government guidance on wild bird protection explains the legal position in England.
6 Record the fault and arrange the right repair
A useful report notes the building and elevation, the exact location of the fault, when it was first seen and whether birds appear to be getting through. Photographs taken from a safe position can help the contractor plan an inspection. Also mention nearby equipment that engineers still need to access.
Pest Control 24 Seven can assess the condition of existing netting and recommend a suitable repair, replacement or revised installation. We consider the bird activity, structure, safe access and future maintenance needs together.
Common questions about bird netting maintenance
Can a small hole in bird netting be left until the next planned visit?
It is best to report it promptly. Even a localised opening can allow birds into a protected space, while a damaged section may deteriorate further. A specialist can advise how urgently it needs attention after reviewing the site.
Can bird netting be repaired instead of replaced?
Often, but it depends on the condition of the surrounding mesh, fixings and support system. A site inspection will show whether a durable local repair is practical.
Who should check bird netting after an engineer uses an access zip?
The contractor using the opening should close it when they finish. The site team can include confirmation in its maintenance sign-off process and report any damage for specialist assessment.
What if there are birds behind the netting?
Do not seal them in or disturb a nest in use. Keep people away from any immediate hazard and contact a bird control specialist to assess the situation and the lawful options.
When to call Pest Control 24 Seven
Contact our expert Operations Team if you have spotted damaged bird netting, repeated bird activity behind an existing installation or an access point that no longer closes properly. We can inspect the problem and recommend a practical way to protect the area while keeping essential maintenance possible.
Explore our bird netting services, bird management and bird spiking options, or call 0203 640 8247 to discuss your property.