Industrial Bird Netting

Industrial Bird Netting is a physical exclusion system designed to prevent pigeons, gulls, starlings and other pest birds from entering or settling within industrial buildings.

Professionally tensioned mesh can protect warehouse roofs, factory beams, loading bays, service canopies, plant areas and other structures that provide birds with shelter.

Pest Control 24 Seven designs and installs bespoke Industrial Bird Netting across the UK. Every system is planned around the target bird species, building structure, operating environment and future maintenance requirements.

When properly installed and inspected, netting provides a humane, long-term method of bird control without relying on harmful measures or repeatedly treating the resulting fouling.

For sites requiring a wider approach, our specialist Bird Control services can combine netting with spiking, falconry and other bird-management methods.

Why Do Industrial Buildings Attract Pest Birds?

Industrial properties often contain sheltered, undisturbed areas that are ideal for birds. High roof beams, open loading doors, covered yards, cable trays and machinery supports can provide safe roosting locations away from ground-level activity.

Warehouses and factories may also have large openings that remain in use throughout the working day. Birds can fly inside through loading doors and settle within the roof structure before employees notice them.

Other factors that can attract birds include:

• Nearby food-production or waste-handling operations
• Accessible bins and waste storage areas
• Warmth from machinery or building services
• Standing water and poorly draining roofs
• Sheltered loading canopies
• Large flat roofs and parapets
• Neighbouring buildings with established bird populations
• Quiet high-level areas with limited human disturbance

Once birds become accustomed to an industrial site, they may return repeatedly.

Removing fouling or abandoned nests will not solve the problem if access remains unrestricted. Industrial Bird Netting addresses that access directly by preventing birds from reaching the affected areas.

Where Can Industrial Bird Netting Be Installed?

Industrial Bird Netting can protect both internal and external parts of a property. The system may cover a single high-risk area or form part of a coordinated bird-control programme across the entire site.

Warehouse Roof Structures

Birds may settle on rafters, steel beams, cable trays, lights and fire-system pipework. Netting can create a barrier beneath these areas, separating birds from storage and working spaces below.

Loading Bays and Canopies

Covered loading areas offer shelter from weather and often remain accessible throughout the day.

Industrial Bird Netting can protect overhead beams without obstructing vehicles, shutters or pedestrian routes.

Manufacturing and Production Areas

Birds entering a production environment may foul machinery, packaging, raw materials and finished products. A carefully designed system can exclude them while preserving access for engineers and cleaning teams.

External Plant and Equipment

Rooftop machinery, ventilation installations and service compounds may contain ledges and enclosed spaces that attract birds. Netting can protect these areas while including access for inspection and servicing.

Service Yards and Waste Areas

Food residue and commercial waste can draw birds into service yards. Netting may help protect selected areas as part of a wider approach that also addresses waste management and available food sources.

Distribution and Logistics Centres

Large doors, high ceilings and constant vehicle movements can make bird management difficult at logistics sites.

Industrial Bird Netting can protect priority areas while allowing normal operations to continue.

Bridges and Infrastructure

The underside of bridges, pipe bridges and other industrial structures can provide numerous protected roosting positions. Bespoke netting can be designed for complex shapes and difficult-to-reach locations. Find out more about our dedicated Bird Netting service.

The Operational Risks Created by Birds

Bird activity can create wider consequences for an industrial business than an untidy roof or occasional droppings.

Contamination of Stock and Packaging

Birds inside warehouses may foul stored products, pallets, packaging and shelving. This can result in damaged goods, additional cleaning and avoidable waste.

Disruption to Production

Nesting materials and bird fouling can affect machinery, sensors and other equipment. Access may also need to be restricted while contaminated areas are cleaned.

Slips and Falls

Droppings on external walkways, loading areas, stairs and fire exits may become slippery when wet. Regular bird activity above pedestrian routes requires prompt attention.

Blocked Gutters and Drainage

Feathers, nesting materials and debris can enter gutters, outlets and roof drainage systems. Blockages may contribute to standing water, leaks and further maintenance requirements.

Damage to Building Surfaces

Repeated fouling can stain façades, signs, painted surfaces and metalwork. Cleaning difficult high-level areas can also create ongoing access costs.

Reputational Concerns

Visible fouling around delivery entrances, reception areas and vehicles can affect how customers, contractors and auditors view the site. Industrial Bird Netting addresses these concerns by preventing access to the places where birds gather.

Industrial Bird Netting Around Machinery and Ductwork

Industrial buildings often contain equipment that must remain accessible after the netting has been installed.

This may include:

• Ventilation and extraction ductwork
• Air-handling equipment
• Fans and motors
• Fire detection and suppression systems
• Electrical installations and lighting
• CCTV cameras
• Conveyors and production machinery
• Roof drains and gutters
• Access hatches and walkways
• Structural inspection points

Our Industrial Bird Netting design can include zipped openings, clips or removable netting sections around these locations.

This allows authorised engineers to reach equipment without cutting the mesh or leaving part of the system unsecured.

Maintenance teams should be consulted before installation so routine servicing, testing and emergency access can be included in the original design.

Our Industrial Bird Netting Process

1. Site and Bird Activity Survey

Our team inspects the property to identify the species present, how birds enter and where they settle.

We also look for evidence of active nesting.

2. Operational Assessment

We discuss vehicle movements, shift patterns, restricted areas, planned maintenance and any production requirements that may affect installation.

3. Bespoke System Design

The survey findings are used to create an Industrial Bird Netting specification for the site. This includes the mesh, fixing system, perimeter supports and maintenance openings.

4. Access and Installation Planning

The safest and most efficient access method is selected. Depending on the structure, this may involve mobile elevated work platforms, scaffolding or specialist rope access support.

5. Area Preparation

The space is checked to ensure no birds will become trapped once the system is complete. Existing fouling and abandoned nesting material may require safe and controlled removal.

6. Netting Installation

The support system is fitted before the netting is secured and tensioned. Particular attention is given to edges, pipework, corners and structural projections where gaps could develop.

7. Quality Inspection

The finished installation is examined for security, consistent tension, possible entry points and trapping risks. Any access sections are opened and closed to confirm that they operate correctly.

Industrial Bird Netting Without Stopping Production

Many industrial sites cannot simply close while bird-control work takes place.

Industrial Bird Netting installation therefore needs to account for production schedules, deliveries and employee movements.

Where possible, work can be completed in phases or arranged during planned shutdowns, quieter periods or overnight access windows.

The most appropriate schedule will depend on the location of the netting and the safety controls required.

Early coordination with site managers helps establish exclusion zones, equipment access and suitable working periods. This can reduce disruption while allowing the installation to proceed safely.

Inspection and Maintenance of Industrial Netting

Regular inspections are important because industrial buildings can expose netting to vibration, machinery movement, maintenance activity and weather.

The inspection should check:

• Netting tension and overall condition
• Perimeter cables and supports
• Fixings and attachment points
• Seams, joins and corners
• Areas surrounding pipework
• Access zips and removable panels
• Signs that birds are attempting to gain entry
• Damage caused by maintenance or construction work

Additional checks may be required following severe weather, roofing work or changes to machinery close to the netting.

Small defects should be repaired promptly.

A single gap may allow birds to enter and become trapped behind an otherwise secure system.

Is Industrial Bird Netting Humane?

Industrial Bird Netting is a humane, non-lethal form of bird control when it is professionally fitted and properly maintained.

The mesh prevents birds from entering selected areas and encourages them to find alternative locations. However, loose, damaged or incorrectly installed netting could create an entanglement risk.

Professional design and regular inspections are therefore essential. The area must also be checked before installation is completed to ensure no birds remain inside the protected space.

Bird Netting and Wildlife Legislation

Wild birds, their eggs and active nests receive legal protection.

Before installing Industrial Bird Netting, the site must be assessed for active nesting and breeding activity.

If an active nest is discovered, work may need to be delayed unless the proposed action is permitted under the relevant legal and licensing arrangements. Requirements vary across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Each project should receive an individual assessment rather than relying on a standard response to every bird problem.

Industrial Bird Netting or Another Control Method?

Netting is particularly suitable where complete exclusion is required.

However, extensive industrial sites may contain other areas that need a different approach.

Bird Spiking may protect narrow ledges, signs, parapets and pipework. Falconry bird control can help discourage pest birds from remaining in large open environments.

A coordinated Bird Control plan may combine several suitable methods. This helps prevent birds from simply relocating from a netted warehouse to a nearby roof, yard or loading canopy.