Bird Exclusion Netting Case Study

February 5, 2026
21stCWD
Bird Netting

Executive Summary

A prominent residential twin tower complex in Richmond, BC, faced a critical maintenance standoff when HV AC technicians refused to service rooftop air conditioning units due to severe pigeon infestation and hazardous sanitary conditions. DeTurd Bird Control Solutions was brought in to remediate the biohazard and implement a permanent preventative measure. By thoroughly cleaning the affected areas and installing custom bird exclusion netting with maintenance access zippers, DeTurd resolved the issue within a tight one-week lead time, satisfying both the property management’s budget and the safety requirements of the repair crews.

Introduction

Managing a high-rise residential complex involves a constant juggling act of tenant satisfaction, safety compliance, and infrastructure maintenance. For the property managers of a residential twin tower development in Richmond, BC, maintaining a comfortable living environment is paramount.

However, the structural design of high-rise buildings often creates unintended havens for urban wildlife. Rooftop mechanical enclosures, designed to protect equipment from the elements, often provide the perfect shelter for pests. When these pests are pigeons, the consequences can quickly escalate from a minor nuisance to a major operational hazard.
With over 20 years of experience in commercial and strata building maintenance, DeTurd Bird Control Solutions understands that pest control is not just about removing animals; it’s about restoring the functionality and safety of the building.

The Problem

The residential towers in Richmond rely on rooftop air conditioning units to keep the building climate-controlled. These units are housed in enclosures that, while effective for machinery, became an attractive nesting ground for local pigeon populations.

The infestation had been an ongoing issue, but it reached a breaking point when the AC units required urgent maintenance. Upon arriving at the site, AC repair technicians were met with an overwhelming accumulation of nesting materials and bird droppings.

Pigeon droppings are not merely unsightly; they contain corrosive uric acid that can damage building materials and machinery. More importantly, they pose significant health risks to humans, potentially carrying diseases such as histoplasmosis, salmonella, and E. coli. Faced with these unsanitary and unsafe working conditions, the technicians invoked their right to refuse unsafe work. They would not touch the AC units until the area was decontaminated and the birds were gone.

This left the property management in a bind: they had essential equipment that needed repair, but no one willing to repair it. They needed a solution that was fast, effective, and permanent.

The Solution

DeTurd Bird Control Solutions was contacted to address the crisis. The team immediately conducted a site assessment to identify the root cause. It was determined that the open design of the AC enclosures allowed birds easy ingress and egress, providing them with a predator-free environment to roost and reproduce.

To address the immediate health hazard and the long-term access issue, DeTurd implemented a two-phase strategy:

Biohazard Remediation
Before any prevention methods could be installed, the area had to be made safe. The team performed a deep clean of the rooftop enclosures, removing the heavy buildup of “bird mess,” nesting debris, and feathers. This restored the area to a sanitary state, complying with workplace safety standards.
Installation of Bird Exclusion Netting/strong>
Once the area was clean, the focus shifted to prevention. The team selected bird exclusion netting as the primary barrier. This specific solution was chosen for several reasons:
- Durability: It can withstand the harsh weather conditions often experienced on high-rise
  rooftops in Richmond.
- Visibility: It provides a discreet barrier that does not negatively impact the building’s
  aesthetic profile.
- Airflow: Unlike solid barriers, netting allows for the necessary air intake required by the
  AC units to function efficiently.

Crucially, the installation included custom access zippers. DeTurd understood that blocking the birds shouldn’t mean blocking the technicians. These zippers allow maintenance crews to easily unzip the netting to service the equipment and zip it back up to maintain the secure perimeter, ensuring the solution didn’t create a new barrier to entry for the workers.

Result

The project was a resounding success, delivering immediate and measurable results for the client:

Rapid Turnaround: Understanding the urgency of the AC repairs, DeTurd met a short one-week lead time, moving from assessment to completion quickly.
Restored Access: The sanitary conditions and the installation of the bird exclusion netting satisfied the safety concerns of the AC technicians, who were able to return to the job site and complete the necessary repairs immediately.
Cost-Effectiveness: The client’s requirements for competitive pricing were met without sacrificing the quality of the materials or the thoroughness of the cleaning.
Humane Prevention: The netting provides a humane deterrent, simply blocking access rather than harming the birds, aligning with ethical pest control standards.

The installation has effectively “future-proofed” the rooftop units. The property managers no longer have to pay for repeated specialized cleanings before every maintenance call, and the equipment is protected from the corrosive damage of bird droppings.

Conclusion

This project highlights how environmental hazards can bring essential building operations to a halt—and how the right expertise can get them moving again. By correctly identifying the problem and applying the appropriate solution, DeTurd Bird Control Solutions turned a maintenance nightmare into a manageable, safe environment.

For property managers, the lesson is clear: reactive measures to pest control often result in higher costs and operational downtime. Proactive solutions, like bird exclusion netting, protect both the asset and the people who maintain it.

If your commercial or residential property is facing similar challenges with avian pests, do not wait for a work refusal to act. Ensure your building remains safe, clean, and compliant, contact DeTurd Bird Control Solutions today!