The space between a roof and its solar panels is warm, dry and out of the wind, which makes it an ideal nesting spot for pigeons. Once one pair moves in, others soon follow, and a few birds can turn into a colony in a single season.
Signs you have pigeons under your panels
- Cooing and scratching noises from the roof, often early in the morning
- Droppings on the roof, windows, cars, patio or windowsills below
- Twigs, feathers and nest material poking out from under the panels
- Blocked or overflowing gutters and downpipes
- Pigeons regularly landing on the roof and disappearing under the panels
Why it is worth dealing with
- Fouling builds up on the roof and panels, which is unpleasant and can reduce how well the panels work
- Blocked gutters from nest material and droppings can lead to overflow and damp
- Damage to cables and roof coverings from nesting birds
- Mites and insects that live in old nests can find their way into the house
- Noise from birds nesting directly above bedrooms
How we proof solar panels
- SurveyWe check the roof, the panels and how the birds are getting in, and give you a clear, fixed quote.
- Clear outOnce any active nests are empty, we remove old nests, droppings and debris from under the panels.
- Clean and disinfectWe clean and disinfect the roof area under the panels, and clear the gutters of nest material.
- ProofingWe fit galvanised mesh around the edges of the array using clips that do not drill into or damage the panels, so birds cannot get back underneath.
- CheckWe check the whole array is sealed and leave the roof clean and the gutters running freely.
Why choose PPM
Many solar panel proofing companies simply fit mesh. As pest controllers, we also deal with the birds' nests, fouling and any mites or insects they leave behind, and we can clean the gutters while we are on the roof. Our van has an access platform for high-level work, so most homes can be done without scaffolding.
All wild birds, their nests and eggs are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. We will not remove or proof over an active nest. Where birds are nesting, we plan the work for when the nest is empty.
