Hot Foot Knotless Netting

Saggy, Deteriorating Netting a Welcome Mat for Swallows

Problem

A large public facility had installed standard black polyethylene knotted netting to prevent birds—specifically swallows—from nesting under a nine-bay open-air storage canopy. Over time, the netting sagged, tore, and was chewed by squirrels and other rodents. Stretching and tension issues caused clips to snap off, opening large gaps that allowed swallows to return and nest freely. By spring, the canopy was full of active nests, with mud, droppings, and nesting debris falling onto stored equipment, creating serious sanitation and operational concerns.

SOLUTION

Rather than patch the failed system, the facility chose to remove and replace it entirely. Hot Foot was awarded the contract and proposed a more durable and segmented netting approach. They began by removing the old netting and damaged clips, thoroughly cleaning the area once the swallows migrated. Each of the nine 75×25 ft bays was enclosed individually using black knotless polypropylene netting—a material resistant to stretching and backed by a 10-year no-sag guarantee.

Where steel I-beams protruded through the roof, Hot Foot first installed metal mesh caps over the beams to block access points. Then, netting was wrapped tightly around all structural edges and secured with stainless steel hog-rings and S-hooks, using powder-actuated nails directly into the steel frame. This setup eliminated large spans of unsupported netting and reduced the chance of future damage. The result was a clean, tensioned system designed for long-term performance.

Results

The newly installed netting system completely eliminated bird access and nesting under the canopy. Each bay now functions independently, so if damage occurs in one section, it won’t compromise the entire system. The structure remains clean and protected, with no signs of bird droppings, mud, or nesting debris since the install. The facility gained a long-term, low-maintenance solution that restored cleanliness and operational efficiency to the storage area.