Bird netting is a tensioned mesh barrier that closes off an open space so birds cannot get into it. It is the method to use when birds are roosting or nesting inside a void, such as a carport, loading dock, courtyard, under-awning space, light well or shed, rather than just perching on a ledge. Installed properly, the net is pulled taut on a wire frame and fixed at every edge, so birds cannot push through or become caught.
Launceston Bird Proofing is a referral service. We do not supply or install netting, and we hold no trade licence. With your consent, we pass your enquiry to one independent Launceston-area business that does netting. That business quotes and contracts with you directly.
Bird netting compared with other methods
| Problem | Usual method |
|---|---|
| Birds inside an open void (carport, dock, atrium, courtyard) | Tensioned bird netting |
| Birds landing on a ledge, parapet or sign | Spikes or post-and-wire |
| Birds getting under solar panels | Mesh skirt around the array |
| Birds entering a roof through gaps, gutters or broken tiles | Mesh and sealing at entry points |
| Birds eating fruit or grapes | Wildlife-safe crop or fruit-tree netting |
Netting is the most complete form of exclusion because birds cannot reach the protected space at all. It is also the most involved to install, which is why it is normally reserved for areas where spikes or sealing will not work.
Where bird netting is used in Launceston
- Commercial and industrial sites. Loading docks, warehouse roof trusses, canopies and plant rooms where pigeons and starlings roost.
- Homes. Carports, pergolas with solid roofs, under-deck spaces, verandas, balconies and garages with open eaves.
- Strata and apartments. Balconies and light wells where pigeons nest on air-conditioning units.
- Gardens, orchards and vineyards. The Tamar Valley is a wine region, and growers and home gardeners net vines and fruit trees. That is a different product and purpose from building netting, discussed below.
How building bird netting is installed
Across mainland competitors, the installation method follows a similar pattern:
- Assess the space and the species. Mesh size has to suit the smallest target bird. Mainland pest firms commonly specify about 50 mm netting for pigeons and about 19 mm for sparrows and starlings. Starlings and sparrows are both common in Tasmania, so a pigeon-only net may not be enough.
- Clean out first. Nests and droppings are removed before the net goes up, and the installer checks for active native nests.
- Fit a perimeter frame. Stainless steel cable or wire is fixed around the edges of the opening and tensioned.
- Attach the net. The net is fixed to the cable with rings or clips at close intervals, so there are no gaps or loose sections.
- Allow access. Zips, flaps or panels can be built in where people need to get to lights, equipment or storage.
- Check for trapped birds before the job is signed off.
Materials and lifespan
Building nets are usually knotted or knotless polyethylene that has been treated against ultraviolet light, or stainless steel mesh for harder-wearing applications. Competitors in different cities quote very different life expectancies, from about five years at the low end to more than ten years for higher grades. A Perth business suggests 10 to 20 years for commercial-grade netting. Launceston has a cooler climate than Brisbane or Perth, but UV still degrades netting over time. Ask what grade is being offered, how long the manufacturer rates it for, and what the installer's own warranty covers.
Colour matters too. Black netting is less visible against shadows, while light colours stand out. Ask to see a sample if appearance matters, especially on a street-facing facade.
Netting and native wildlife
Poorly installed or loose netting is a well-documented hazard for wildlife. Birds, bats, possums and snakes can become entangled in slack or fine-filament netting and die. Wildlife groups recommend netting that birds and animals cannot poke a finger, toe or head through. They suggest a mesh of no more than 5 mm by 5 mm for fruit trees and gardens, held taut on a frame rather than thrown loosely over a plant. Building netting is a different product, but the principle that it must be taut, fixed and checked applies to both.
In Tasmania, native birds are protected under the Nature Conservation Act 2002. If a protected bird is nesting in the area to be netted, the net should go up after the young have fledged. A business should not net over an active native nest. If a bird is found tangled, contact a wildlife rescue service or NRE Tas, rather than cutting it free yourself if it is injured. See our bird laws page.
Garden, fruit and vineyard netting
Many enquiries about "bird netting" in Launceston are really about protecting cherries, berries, apples or grapes. That is a different job. Garden netting is usually fitted by the owner or a horticultural supplier, not a pest-proofing business. Use wildlife-friendly netting, which is fine, white and tightly woven, or a fine shade-cloth style cover, on a frame. Remove it after harvest. We can connect you with proofing businesses for buildings, but we are not the best route for orchard or vineyard netting.
Maintenance after installation
Netting needs an occasional look. Check that it has not sagged, torn or come away from its fixings, especially after storms or snowfall at higher elevations. Leaves and debris can collect on horizontal nets. If a bird does get in, it usually means there is a gap at an edge or join.
What it may cost
Prices depend on area, height, access and the type of net. A Brisbane pest business publishes netting from $680 for up to 20 square metres, and commercial jobs are quoted on inspection everywhere. Elevated work platforms or scaffolding can add significantly to a commercial job. Ask for a written quote that shows the netting grade, the fixing system, clean-up and any warranty.
Frequently asked questions
What mesh size do I need for bird netting?
It depends on the smallest bird you need to keep out. Mainland pest businesses commonly use about 50 mm for pigeons and about 19 mm for starlings and sparrows. Ask the installer which species it is designing for.
Will bird netting harm birds?
Taut, properly fixed building netting is designed to block birds, not catch them. Loose or slack netting can entangle birds and other wildlife, which is why tension and edge fixing matter.
How long does bird netting last?
Competitors quote anywhere from about five years to more than 15, depending on the material, grade and exposure. Ask for the manufacturer's rating and the installer's warranty in writing.
Can I put netting over my fruit trees myself?
Yes, gardeners commonly do. Use wildlife-safe netting that a finger cannot poke through, hold it on a frame, and check it daily so no animal gets caught.
Do I need council approval for bird netting on a building?
Usually not for small domestic jobs. Heritage-listed buildings or prominent street facades may have planning controls, so check with the City of Launceston if your property is in a heritage area.
Next step
Tell us what area you want netted, its rough size and height, and which birds you are seeing. With your consent, we pass your details to one independent business in the Launceston area that installs bird netting. Make an enquiry or read how it works.