Silver Bullet Pest ControlBird Netting in NJ for Homes and Businesses
Pigeons roosting in the loading dock rafters, sparrows nesting behind the store sign, droppings all over the balcony? Bird netting is a physical barrier that closes off the space birds are using, so they can't land, roost or nest there. Silver Bullet Pest Control removes the birds the legal way, cleans up, and installs bird netting for homes and businesses across North Jersey.
4.9 stars on Google • NJ License 90568B • Licensed by NJ Fish & Wildlife for wildlife work • 15+ years • Based in Garfield • Hablamos español
Text a photo of the area and the birds to 973-510-2585 for a free netting quote.
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Does bird netting work, and who installs bird netting in NJ?
Bird netting in NJ is the most reliable way to keep pigeons, sparrows and starlings out of a covered space — like a loading dock, warehouse ceiling, courtyard, balcony or the area behind a sign — because it physically blocks them instead of trying to scare them. It works when the birds and nests are removed first and the net is sealed tight on every edge. Silver Bullet Pest Control removes birds, cleans up droppings and installs bird netting for homes and businesses; quotes are free. Call or text 973-510-2585.
Where bird netting makes the most sense
Netting is best for spaces with a 'ceiling' or frame birds fly into — rafters, beams, ledges and recesses:
Loading docks and warehouses
- Pigeons roosting on rafters and beams
- Droppings on stock, pallets and trucks
- Birds flying in through open dock doors
Netting under the roof structure closes off the rafters, so birds that fly in can't settle. It protects product, equipment and the people working below.
Restaurants, courtyards and storefront signs
- Sparrows nesting behind signs and awnings
- Pigeons over outdoor seating
- Droppings at entrances and on walkways
Birds around a food business are bad for customers and inspections. Netting closes off sign recesses, awnings, overhangs and courtyards so birds can't nest over doors and tables.
Balconies, porches and under-deck spaces
- Pigeons on apartment balconies
- Nests in porch ceilings and eaves
- Droppings on railings and furniture
For apartments, condos and homes, netting can close off a balcony, porch ceiling or other covered area while still letting in light and air.
Bird netting vs. spikes vs. other bird control options
Each option fits a different problem. Here's an honest comparison:
| Option | Best for | Limits |
|---|---|---|
| Bird netting | Covered areas — rafters, docks, courtyards, balconies, sign recesses | Must be sealed on every edge; birds must be removed first |
| Spikes | Narrow ledges, sign tops, beams where birds perch | Don't stop nesting in recesses; debris can collect in them |
| Ledge or slope deterrents | Flat ledges and window sills | Only works on the ledge it covers |
| Visual scares (fake owls, reflective tape) | Short-term, light pressure | Pigeons get used to them quickly |
| Removal only | Getting birds out right now | Without exclusion, new birds often move in |
Often the best result is a mix: removal first, netting for covered spaces, and other deterrents on ledges. Ask us which fits your building. For rooftop solar arrays, see solar panel critter guards instead.
Which birds are protected? What you need to know first
Before any netting goes up, the birds have to be identified, because the rules are different for different species.
- Most native birds are protected under the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act. That includes birds like swallows, robins, gulls and many others. Their active nests, eggs and young generally can't be disturbed without the right permission.
- Pigeons (rock pigeons), house sparrows and European starlings are non-native and are not protected under that federal law. These are also the three birds behind most building problems.
- State and local rules can apply too, and rules can change, so we check what's allowed for the bird and the time of year before we act.
In practice, this means that with a protected bird nesting on your building, the job is often to wait until the nest is no longer active, then install netting so the birds don't come back the next season. With pigeons, sparrows or starlings, we can usually remove the birds and nests and install netting right away.
We're licensed by the NJ Division of Fish and Wildlife for wildlife work, and we'll explain which situation you're in after we see the birds.
Common birds behind netting calls in North Jersey
| Bird | Where we find them | Federally protected? |
|---|---|---|
| Pigeons | Loading docks, rafters, bridges, balconies, ledges, under solar panels | No |
| House sparrows | Behind signs, in awnings, vents and small recesses | No |
| European starlings | Vents, eaves, gaps in walls and rooflines | No |
| Swallows | Mud nests under eaves, overhangs and dock roofs | Yes |
| Gulls | Flat roofs near water and shopping centers | Yes |
Birds in a dryer or bathroom vent? See our bird removal and vent replacement page.
How we install bird netting
Site survey
We look at the space, the birds using it, where they land and nest, and how the area is used — forklifts, doors, lighting, sprinklers and access for maintenance.
Remove birds and nests legally
Pigeons, sparrows and starlings and their nests are removed. For protected species, we plan around active nests.
Clean up the droppings
Droppings and nesting debris are cleaned up before the netting goes in, so nothing is left trapped behind the net.
Install the netting
Netting is attached to a secure perimeter so there are no gaps for birds to get through, with access built in where you need to reach lights or equipment.
Check the result
We confirm that birds aren't getting past the net and fix any edge they test.
Netting is one part of bird and wildlife exclusion. See all our animal proofing and exclusion services.
Bird droppings cleanup: why it matters
Pigeon droppings pile up fast where birds roost. Besides the stains and smell, built-up droppings can carry fungi and bacteria, and the risk comes mostly from breathing in dust when dried droppings are disturbed.
- Don't dry-sweep or blow out large piles of droppings.
- Don't power-wash heavy buildup without protection — it sprays contaminated material around.
- Keep employees and customers away from heavy buildup until it's cleaned.
Cleaning up before the netting goes in is part of the job. Droppings left behind keep smelling, attract insects and leave a mess under the new net.
Bird netting for NJ businesses
For warehouses, restaurants, stores and property managers, birds are a business problem, not just a mess:
- Food safety and inspections: birds and droppings near food prep, storage or outdoor seating can cause problems during health inspections.
- Product and equipment: droppings damage stock, packaging, vehicles and machinery in loading areas.
- Slip hazards: droppings on walkways, stairs and entrances are slippery, especially when wet.
- First impressions: a stained sign or entrance doesn't look good to customers or tenants.
We can schedule work around your hours and plan the netting around how your space is used. Property managers can also see our property management pest control page.
What affects the cost of bird netting
Every netting job is different, so we give a free quote after seeing the space. These factors matter most:
| Factor | Smaller job | Bigger job |
|---|---|---|
| Size of the area | A balcony or a sign recess | A full loading dock or warehouse ceiling |
| Height and access | Reachable from a ladder | High ceilings that need a lift |
| Structure | Simple, flat surfaces | Many beams, pipes, lights and corners |
| Birds present | Prevention only | An active pigeon colony that must be removed first |
| Cleanup | Light droppings | Heavy buildup and old nests |
Pigeon removal on its own runs $400 to $1,000, depending on the building and how many birds there are. Netting is a free quote — call or text 973-510-2585.
Related bird and wildlife pages
Get a Free Bird Netting Quote
Send photos of the area and the birds, or tell us where they're landing and nesting. We'll explain what's allowed, what needs to happen first, and what the netting will cover.
Why NJ homes and businesses call us about birds
- Pigeons in the loading dock or warehouse
- Sparrows nesting behind a store sign
- Droppings on a balcony or porch
- Birds over outdoor seating
- A health inspection coming up
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Bird Netting Questions
Does bird netting really work?
Yes, when it's installed correctly. Netting works because it physically blocks birds from a space instead of trying to scare them. It has to be sealed on every edge, and the birds and nests have to be removed first, or birds will find the gap or end up trapped behind the net.
Is bird netting better than spikes?
It depends on the spot. Netting is better for covered spaces like rafters, docks, balconies and sign recesses where birds nest. Spikes are better on narrow ledges and beams where birds only perch. Many buildings use both.
Can you remove pigeons before installing netting?
Yes. Pigeons are not federally protected, so we can usually remove the birds and their nests and install netting right away. Pigeon removal runs $400 to $1,000, depending on the building and how many birds there are.
Can I remove a bird nest from my building?
It depends on the bird. Pigeons, house sparrows and starlings aren't protected under federal law, but most native birds are, and their active nests generally can't be disturbed. Have the bird identified first; we can tell you which applies.
How much does bird netting cost?
It depends on the size and height of the area, the structure, whether birds need to be removed first and how much cleanup is needed. We give a free quote after seeing the space, so you know the cost before any work starts.
Will bird netting block light or look bad?
Netting is designed to be low-profile, and from a distance it's usually hard to notice. It lets light and air through, so balconies and courtyards stay open and usable.
Do you clean up bird droppings?
Yes. Droppings and nesting debris are cleaned up before the netting goes in. Heavy buildup shouldn't be dry-swept or power-washed without protection, because the risk comes from breathing dust from dried droppings.
Do you install bird netting for apartments and condos?
Yes. We install netting on balconies, porches and other covered spaces for apartments, condos and homes. In a condo or rental, check with the building or association before anything is attached.
Can you work around my business hours?
Yes. We can schedule netting and bird removal around your hours, and plan the installation around doors, lights, equipment and the way your space is used.
What areas do you serve for bird netting?
We're based in Garfield and serve Bergen, Passaic, Essex and Hudson counties. We also serve towns in Morris and Union counties; those jobs are scheduled ahead.
¿Hablan español?
Sí. Hablamos español. Mande fotos del área y de las palomas al 973-510-2585 para una cotización gratis.
Bird netting across North Jersey
From our base in Garfield we install bird netting for homes and businesses in Bergen, Passaic, Essex and Hudson counties.
Updated November 2026 by the Silver Bullet Pest Control team, Garfield, NJ • NJ License 90568B