Whether it’s on top of your house or your place of work, roof dwelling birds are a persistent irritation that shouldn't be overlooked. During nesting season, birds seek out sheltered spots on rooftops, gutters and solar panels. Implementing bird-proofing measures early ensures your home or business remains protected before nesting laws restrict removal efforts.
It’s not just the noise and unsightly mess they leave in their wake. Birds on your roof can also lead to damaged tiles, the blockage of any ventilation areas where they may have built a nest, as well as damaged guttering, which can become filled with feathers, nesting materials or even the birds themselves.
Why Bird-Proofing Your Property Is Essential
Before exploring the best solutions, it’s important to understand the risks of unchecked bird activity:
To help you avoid the need for costly roof repair, here are some simple steps that you can take for bird-proofing your roof today.
Installing a fake owl to the top of the house can help to deter birds from roof structures, as they look very real from a distance. Owls are mostly seen as a predator to other birds, so a decoy can encourage them to fly past and find somewhere else to land. You can also use rotating spider deterrents or hawk kites to similar effect.
Prevent birds from landing and roosting with humane deterrent spikes, available in various designs for different areas of your property:
Solar panels offer a prime nesting area for birds. Installing a mesh barrier keeps pigeons from nesting underneath, protecting your solar investment and maintaining its efficiency.
Birds often nest in chimneys, leading to blockages and fire hazards. A chimney cap prevents entry while ensuring proper ventilation. You can also use mesh balloons and chimney guards to allow regular use without interference.
For large-scale bird control, bird netting provides an effective barrier to keep birds away from courtyards, balconies and rooftops. This durable solution maintains airflow and visibility while preventing nesting.
If birds have already landed and nested on your roof, it's a good idea to read up on any protection orders before taking action.
Protected by the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981, it is considered an offence to destroy an active nest or prevent any parent birds from returning to their chicks.
If birds are nesting then it is advised that you wait until the winter to move them, when they are likely to have migrated. Clean out any holes and seal them, preferably in the morning to ensure that any remaining birds are out, just in case they are still returning to the nest.
Setting up a nest in your garden can also help to attract birds away from your roof, giving them an alternative safe place to live.
By implementing bird-proofing measures now, you can avoid costly repairs and disruptions later. Shop our full range of bird control measures at Roof Giant and keep your property protected.
