Are bird droppings harmfull to polytunnels

heno55

hi all i have a problem with birds roosting on the esb lines that are over my tunnel their droppings are landing on the plastic, i would like to know if this would weaken the poly , at the moment i am cleaning every few days with a soapy mop but there are some parts that i cannot reach and i am worried about the poly getting damaged as well as the unsightliness(is there such a word) of it ,any help would be appreciated

galwaybeginner · Posted: Thu May 19, 2011 10:05 pm Post subject:

Hi

I've had my tunnel in situ 3 years now, and we have housemartins nesting in our house who love nothing more than to relieve their bladders all over my tunnel, and are often joined in the persuit by every shape or form of flying creature (I'm dreadding when the flying pigs join in!)

I wash down every year, and on occasion give a wipe if I feel a dropping(s) are enough to interfere with light.

No lasting damage so far.

If the droppings were very high or low pH they could damage the plastic but very very slight damage is likely. You are more likely to damage it by constant rubbing when washing.

heno55 · Posted: Fri May 20, 2011 6:17 am Post subject:

ok thanks its just that with a new tunnel you tend to treat it like a baby until the novelty wears off

galwaybeginner · Posted: Fri May 20, 2011 8:14 am Post subject:

I have to say, the novelty has not worn off with my baby.

Nor my polytunnel.

Razz

heno55 · Posted: Sat May 21, 2011 7:31 am Post subject:

its almost the same thing being up at night worrying about your first bundle of joy and being up at night the first time there is a gale blowing and your worried about your new tunnel, not quite the same but close

galwaybeginner · Posted: Tue May 24, 2011 8:17 am Post subject:

I was up with both for the last two nights. We've had some insanely strong wind here (blew the nailed on felt off our shed umong other things)

Noise had the baby up, and when she was settled between screaming bouts I was shining the torch out into th garden to see if the tunnel was still there. Smile

robbie checker · Rank attained: Hazel Tree Joined: 20 Jul 2010 Posts: 21

I bought a bottle of Algon last year to clean the polytunnel but ended up using washing up liquid instead and rubbing with a soft mop and using an old sheet on the top of the polytunnel pulled by my wife on the other side of the tunnel. With the Algon, you are supposed to be able to spray it on and it works itself. We had a cat staying with us last year while my wife's parents were on holidays and she got great sport climbing up on top of the tunnel. On a wet day, she was sliding down trying to climb up on it and punctured some small holes in the plastic. Thankfully there are no rips. Needless to say, after that the cat had to go. My polytunnel plastic is 4 years old this year and I don't want to do any damage particularly now when full of crops. I'm a bit nervous of using chemicals on it. Has anyone used Algon on their tunnel?

medieval knievel · Posted: Fri Jun 21, 2013 11:38 am Post subject:

i usually clean the father in law's tunnel in the rain - that way, the droppings have had a chance to soften up a bit, plus the rain helps wash it clean.

Margo · Posted: Fri Jun 21, 2013 6:45 pm Post subject:

We have more of a problem with the blooming crows trying to peck through at insects