For most homes, solar panels are an excellent addition that make sense in a variety of ways but they can also inadvertently attract birds – especially pigeons – with their dream shaded spot. The space below your panels now has a warm, protected area from wind and rain that is also difficult for predators to reach. Birds nesting in a solar unit can create noise, mess and (in some cases) operational challenges.
Pigeons, amongst other birds will seek a safe and hidden roosting and nesting spot. Solar arrays can provide:
A sheltered ledge to perch on
Nesting material (dry)
Protection from weather and disturbance
Once one couple finds a home, others often quickly follow suit.
Problems birds can cause
Bird activity around solar panels can lead to debris that lands on solar panels and can impair the production of electricity. It can also lead to waning energy
Blocked gutters from feathers and nesting debris
Noise from roosting and nesting
Even staining on the roof tiles and walls plus bad smells
In rare cases, damage to any wiring from pecking or nesting behaviour.
Prevention tips (what actually works)
- Install solar bird-proofing mesh
The most typical fix is a specially fabricated mesh shallow collar adhered to the array perimeter. It stops access from the gap underneath while nonetheless allowing airflow. It is usually subtle and doesn’t occupy any panel space. For information on Solar Panel Installation Portishead, contact https://redbridgeandsons.co.uk/solar-pv-panels/solar-panel-installation-portishead/
- Install bird spikes where they are needed most
Prevents perching on ledges, ridge tiles or near roof features. Spikes seem to have a dissuasive effect. They’re generally not the whole answer, but can be beneficial in tandem with mesh.
- Act early (before nesting season)
If you have noticed that your roof is getting bird-friendly action from birds, it’s a good idea to move quickly. By the time nesting begins, removal can be limited and more difficult (and therefore cost-prohibitive) to remedy.
- Clean the area around gutters and roofs
Keeping an eye on the general state of your gutters and rooflines will allow you to identify signs early when there is a buildup of nesting materials or droppings. It also helps to avoid water problems that debris can aggravate.
When you put that in perspective, bird-proofing is a mere drop-in-the-ocean addition and can prevent countless headaches later on. Should you live in an area where pigeons are also very common, don’t hesitate to ask for mesh bird-proofing directly from day one. It is usually easiest at installation stage, before the birds decide your new solar array makes a fine house.
Bird deterrents beyond spikes
Bird droppings carry bacteria, attract insects, block gutters, create slip hazards and look unsightly, so deterrents are worth getting right. Spikes are a common choice for ledges and sills. Made of plastic or metal, they stop larger birds such as pigeons landing, roosting and nesting, they are environmentally safe, they suit hard-to-reach areas and they last a long time.
They have limits, though. Spikes collect droppings, feathers and nesting material, so they need regular cleaning to stay effective, and smaller birds can settle between them. The right alternative depends on the building’s age and size, whether birds are nesting or roosting, and how large and established the colony is.
Netting is one option, as are coils, points and wires that create an unstable landing surface, some of them removable for access. Noise deterrents such as loud sounds or a species’ own alarm call can help, as can keeping bins and other food sources out of reach. Hawks and falcons are also used to disrupt the behaviour of nuisance birds.
How professionals deter pigeons more widely
Pigeons cause more trouble than a messy roof. Their nesting can damage buildings, their droppings are acidic, and droppings left on paths and steps become slippery and can cause accidents. Bird control professionals deal with this using a few tried methods.
Spikes are usually the first line of defence, fitted to the ledges and rooftops where pigeons gather or where their droppings do most damage. Where spikes are not suitable, lifelike decoys of crows or birds of prey encourage pigeons to keep flying rather than land.
Professionals also look at numbers over time. Removing the food supply is key, whether that is people feeding the birds or bins and waste left unsecured. Removing nests or swapping in decoy eggs is a humane way to limit next year’s population. The aim is not to get rid of pigeons altogether, but to cut their numbers and roosting spots so they stop being a nuisance around homes and solar panels.
Signs that birds have moved in
Space under solar panels is only one place where birds settle, and it helps to recognise when a problem is developing. Watch for growing numbers of birds gathering on ledges, roofs or nearby trees, especially if they seem to be staying.
Droppings are another clear sign. They are messy, they can erode metal and other materials, and they make paths slippery. Even dried, dusty droppings can be a health hazard, as birds and their droppings are linked to a range of diseases. Birds can also carry parasites such as fleas, ticks and mites that bite people, and infestations sometimes attract flies and mice.
Look for damage too. Birds searching for nesting sites will pull at roofs and widen cracks in eaves and joints to get in. Feathers and nesting material can block gutters and drains, leading to damp. Inside a building they can foul or peck stored goods, and a large group can be noisy and create an unpleasant smell. Spotting these signs early makes the problem easier to deal with.
