None of mine have touched the zip ties yet. I do use the heaviest grade zip tie I can find, really tighten them down as much as possible and have the end of the zip tie I snip short on the outside of the cage so there's nothing to interest them to chew on. They seem to pretty much ignore them.

You could snip the mesh though you'd need to be careful there was no give for them to squeeze by and the mesh stayed good and rigid. I can't tell you if it would work as I use interior bowls not exterior food hoppers.