vineyard bird netting: Bird Control in Athletic Stadiums

Several years ago, during a Detroit Tigers home game at Comerica Park, 60 or so herring gulls descended on the stadium, dive bombing players and fans alike. Were they after the foot-long hot dogs? The ketchup-drenched French fries? The roasted peanuts? No way. They were gobbling up the recently hatched army moths fluttering about the stadium lights.While in Comercia's case, it was moths that provided the snacks, more often, our feathered friends will settle for leftovers provided by fans. It's a scenario oft repeated in open-air facilities around the country. A stadium's geographic location can also contribute to the problem. In Comerica's case, it was their proximity to the Detroit River and several other large bodies of fresh water that accounted for the speedy invasion of gulls. Throughout the country, annoying starlings, sparrows and pigeons have stadium operators on alert as they roost in rafters and other structures that provide shelter, protection from natural predators and, of course, snacks. Regrettably, unlike the moth-hungry gulls in Detroit, sparrows, starlings and pigeons will usually stay for the season, and the longer they entrench themselves, the more stubborn they become.Aside from being an annoyance, birds cost businesses plenty every year. Bird droppings are unsightly and require cleanup and painting crews to remove or cover up the mess they leave behind. What's worse, these droppings often cause extensive damage to building windows, roofs, skylights, rotating air vents, and air conditioning units. These birds can also carry and transmit over 60 known transmittable diseases.So what to do? Some resort to violence using BB guns. One Red Sox urban legend suggested that Boston Red Sox's Ted Williams would bone up for hunting season by bringing his shotgun to Fenway Park and picking off a few pigeons. The problem with this solution is that it only treats the symptom. By killing off one species of birds, these draconian measures simply make room for other species to nest and breed.Fortunately, there are more humane solutions to ridding stadiums of pesky birds. These proven methods are more effective that taking up arms against feathered invaders. Products designed to rid pest birds vary in price and scope and fall into the categories of bird deterrents and bird repellents. Among the more popular and effective bird control deterrents for keeping birds out of stadiums are physical barriers, such as netting and bird spikes.Netting should be non-conductive, UV stabilized and both rot proof and waterproof. Bird spikes will keep birds from landing and nesting. Many come in two foot sections, so they're easy to install and maintain. Another deterrent, often specified by architects for pigeons and larger birds, is bird wire. It combines low visibility with low maintenance. Then there's the electric solution-shock track systems. They give curious birds a mild electric shock, yet they cause no harm and are ideal for all varieties of winged pests. One other tactic for dispersing pest birds from open areas is the use of aerosol mists. Bird-B-Gone makes a system ideal for stadiums since it lets you attach up to 64 misters that can be individually controlled.Cincinnati Reds VP of ballpark operations tried "everything" to chase pigeons and starlings from the club's Great American Ball Park, which opened in 2003. The problem was particularly noticeable at the stadium because most of its steel supports were painted white. After pigeons roosting in highway structures just outside the stadium were driven out, the birds settled in next door to the steel supports of the ballpark's highest seating level. Every day, crews were dispatched to steam-clean the park's concourses and power-wash its white beams. Certain areas had to be monitored constantly to make sure pigeon droppings weren't infiltrating stadium concession areas, which could present safety code violations and cause fans to get sick.The ballpark tried fake owls and wrapping the steel beams in textured metal. A fastball delivered by Randy Johnson in a 2001 spring training game obliterated a low-flying pigeon. But the only thing that worked was fine-mesh netting. The secret is to totally interrupt the flock's roosting pattern. The point is, short of a 100 mph fastball or a shotgun, there are far more effective deterrents and repellents to keep our fine-feathered friends out of athletic stadiums. [EXTRACT] Several years ago, during a home game Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park, 60 years or less seagulls descended on the stadium, dive bombing players and fans alike. They were then the foot-long hot dogs? Tomato sauce, fries dipped? The roasted peanuts? By no means. They were gobbling army moths fluttering on lights.While newborn stage where trade was moths that provide snacks, more often, our feathered friends settle for leftovers provided by fans. It's very repeated in outdoor facilities throughout the country. Geographic location of a stadium can also contribute to the problem. In the case of Comerica, which was its proximity to the Detroit River and several other large freshwater bodies representing the rapid invasion of gulls. Across the country, annoying starlings, sparrows and pigeons have stadium operators on alert, and that land on the beams and other structures that provide shelter, protection from natural predators and, of course, sandwiches. Unfortunately, unlike moths in Detroit hungry gulls, sparrows, starlings and pigeons usually maintained for the season, and the longer you dig, the more stubborn than being a nuisance become.Aside, companies took some birds each year. Bird droppings are unsightly and require cleaning and painting equipment to remove or cover up the mess left behind. Worse, these droppings are causing major damage to the construction of windows, roofs, skylights, rotating air vents and air conditioning units. These birds can also carry and transmit over 60 known diseases diseases.So what to do? Some resort to violence with air pistols. One Red Sox urban legend suggests that the Boston Red Sox Ted is a bone Williams for the hunting season, bringing his shotgun to Fenway Park and the collection of a few pigeons. The problem with this solution is that only treat the symptoms. Killing one bird species, these draconian measures simply make room for other species to nest and breed.Fortunately, solutions are more humane to rid stadiums of pesky birds. These proven methods are more effective than taking up arms against the invaders with feathers. Products designed to eliminate pest birds vary in price and scope and are divided into the categories of bird deterrents and bird repellents. Among the factors deterring most popular and effective control of birds to keep birds out of the stadiums are physical barriers such as nets and spikes. Netting of birds should be conductive, UV radiation and the two rot-proof and waterproof. The beaks of birds birds keep landing and nesting. Many come in two foot sections, so they are easy to install and maintain. Another deterrent is often specified by architects for pigeons and larger birds, the poultry wire. Combines low visibility and low maintenance. Then there is the solution of electric shock, monitoring systems. Dan curious birds a mild electric shock, but are harmless and are ideal for all varieties of winged pests. One tactic for dispersing pest birds other open areas is the use of aerosol mists. Bird-B-Gone makes the system ideal for stadiums, allowing you to connect up to 64 men who can get controlled. Cincinnati Reds baseball operations vice president tried "everything" to chase the pigeons and starlings from Great America Park in Ball Club, which opened its doors in 2003. The problem was particularly noticeable in the arena, because most of the steel supports were painted white. After the pigeons roost in the structures of the road outside the stadium were expelled, the birds settled on the door next to the steel supports of the highest level of stadium seating. Each day, teams were sent to steam clean the park and esplanade to wash their white rays. Certain areas had constant vigilance to ensure that pigeon droppings were not infiltrating stadium concession areas, which could present safety code violations and make the fans to the stadium it was fake owls sick.The wrapping steel beams with metal texture. A fastball delivered by Randy Johnson in a spring training game of 2001 wiped out a low-flying pigeon. But the only thing that worked was fine mesh screen. The secret is to completely interrupt the pattern of the herd, resting. The point is that in the absence of a 100 mph fastball or a shotgun, there are more effective deterrents and repellents to keep our fine feathered friends athletic stadiums.