Commercial Bird Control Questions, Answered

Installed commercial netting typically runs $3 to $10 per square foot. Price depends on mesh size, span, attachment points, and lift access. Large airport or warehouse projects often fall at the lower end per square foot because of scale. BSI provides a free scope from photos, site plans and the project location.

UV-stabilized polyethylene netting on a stainless steel cable system typically lasts 10+ years. Zippered access panels let maintenance crews reach lights and equipment without cutting the net.

Mesh is matched to the smallest target bird. BSI installs 3/4 in. mesh for sparrows and swallows, 1-1/8 in. for starlings, and 2 in. for pigeons and gulls. The most commonly used mesh size is 3/4 in.

Yes. BSI phases installation around live operations. At Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, BSI completed its largest netting project with engineering coordination, phased work, and full OCIP compliance documentation.

Swallows are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, so active nests cannot be removed. Netting is installed before nesting season, or after young have fledged, to exclude birds the following year.

A single loading dock or canopy is often completed in 1 to 2 days. Full warehouse, hangar, or stormwater pond systems can take several weeks, depending on scope size, complexity, lift access and phasing.

Installed bird wire on ledges and parapets typically runs $8 to $20 per linear foot. Rooftop grid wire is priced per square foot and usually costs less than full netting over the same area.

Yes. Tensioned wire sways when a large bird tries to land, creating an unstable platform. It is effective for pigeons, gulls, and Canada geese.

No. Small birds can perch between or under the wire. For sparrows and starlings, BSI recommends netting or ledge exclusion.

Bird wire is nearly invisible from the sidewalk, which preserves the building silhouette. It is often accepted on historic structures where visible hardware is not.

Grid wire is an elevated network of wires above the roof, typically on 10 by 10 or 15 by 15 foot spacing for gulls. Gulls need a long glide path to land, so they refuse the space. Crews can still walk beneath higher grids to service rooftop equipment.

Tension should be checked after high wind or heavy snow. Turnbuckle tensioning on long parapet runs makes adjustment simple.

No. When a bird touches two conductors at once, it receives a mild static pulse, similar to a livestock fence. The bird is not harmed and learns to avoid the area.

Installed electrical track typically runs $20 to $45 per linear foot, plus the energizer. It costs more than spikes or wire but is often the only option approved on signage and historic facades or when aesthetics are the priority.

The track sits nearly flush with the surface and is virtually invisible from the ground. It is the preferred choice for corporate signage, ornamental ledges, and historic and government buildings.

No. BSI installs both solar and AC energizer options, so track can go where no power is available.

Pigeons, gulls, crows, and starlings. It is not the right fit for enclosed spaces, where netting is the better answer.

Electrical track requires periodic monitoring to confirm the energizer and conductors are working. Debris buildup can short the track, so ledges should be kept clear.

No. Spikes are blunt rods that deny birds enough surface area to land or nest. They do not pierce or injure birds.

Installed commercial bird spikes typically run $5 to $15 per linear foot. They are usually the lowest-cost option for ledges, sills, and fixtures.

No. House sparrows will build nests between the rods. BSI specifies spikes only where the species and surface make sense, and recommends wire, track, or slope systems where they do not.

Stainless steel is the most durable and suits high-visibility or high-heat areas. Polycarbonate costs less and works well on lower-profile ledges. BSI matches spike width to ledge depth either way.

BSI selects the attachment method for the substrate, using adhesive or mechanical fasteners as appropriate. This protects masonry, metal, and historic surfaces.

Spikes need no power or maintenance program. They can collect windblown leaves and debris, which should be cleared periodically so birds do not nest on top.

Bird slope converts a flat 90 degree ledge into a ramp of at least 40 degrees. With no foothold, birds slide off when they try to land or roost.

Yes. Unlike spikes or wire, slope works on all species. End caps seal the sides so swallows and sparrows cannot nest inside the ramp.

Installed bird slope typically runs $10 to $25 per linear foot, depending on material and ledge depth. It costs more than basic spikes but needs no maintenance program.

Standard sections protect ledges up to 6 inches deep. Extenders are used for wider surfaces.

Yes. The low-profile finish can be painted to match the building, and material options include UV-stabilized PVC, polycarbonate, and aluminum.

No. It is self-cleaning, since leaves and rain slide off, and it has no electrical components or moving parts.

Birds under arrays chew wiring, pile up debris, and create corrosion and fire risk, along with efficiency losses. Deterrents that do not physically block access typically fail within one to two nesting seasons.

No. BSI fastens PVC-coated mesh with non-penetrating stainless steel clips, so there is no drilling into panel frames and no risk to the manufacturer warranty.

Commercial solar exclusion typically runs $8 to $20 per linear foot of array perimeter, or is quoted per panel on large arrays. Multi-site rollouts can be priced under a single contract.

No. The 1/2 inch mesh preserves airflow for panel cooling, and access points remain for maintenance crews.

Existing debris is cleared before mesh is installed. Nests of protected species with eggs or young must be left until they fledge, so timing matters.

BSI installs engineered netting systems with anchoring designed for open water. This includes the largest net installation in company history, at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.

Yes. Accumulated droppings and nesting debris can carry disease-causing organisms such as histoplasmosis and cryptococcus. They also damage roofing and finishes and create slip hazards.

Large accumulations should be handled by trained crews with proper PPE. BSI crews work under a corporate biological hazard safety program and document the work.

Commercial cleanup is usually priced by area and severity, often $1 to $8 per square foot, plus lift access.

No. Cleanup moves the birds out but does not keep them out. That is why BSI pairs cleanup with netting, wire, track, or slope for a lasting result.

Yes. BSI offers live trapping or mist net capture and removal for birds trapped inside occupied facilities, such as warehouses and retail stores.

Yes. Standalone cleanup is available, though BSI recommends pairing it with exclusion to avoid repeat costs.