Trusted experts in Bird Control for Plymouth, Devon and Cornwall.
One of the questions our Falcon Environmental Services team gets asked a lot is, ‘Can I bird proof my solar panels?’. The simple answer is yes, you can.
Solar panel bird proofing for both domestic and commercial premises is a highly sought-after service as it appears that birds, particularly pigeons, are partial to building their nests under the panels between the panel and the roof.
The trouble is, once the birds decide to make their home under the solar panels, they are difficult to discourage and they bring with them a set of issues that you really don’t want. It is always better to consider solar panel bird proofing at the point of having the PV panels installed, before the birds have chance to find this hospitable nesting spot.
Professional solar panel bird-proofing will stop the birds accessing the shelter they are seeking and prevent a whole host of problems for the home or business owner.
An example of our Solar Panel Bird Proofing service in Plymouth
One of the major offenders when it comes to nesting under solar panels, is the pigeon. It is usually the most common bird to see perching on top of them. It’s quite difficult to spot them hiding under the panels but they are usually very visible when perching, especially when they invite their friends along. It is not exclusive to pigeons, though, and solar farms see a plethora of birds taking up home amongst the extensive array of panels.
Not only are nuisance birds a hazard to the neighbourhood with their droppings and noise, they also stop the solar panels being as effective as they should be. But what issues do they bring and why should you consider solar panel bird proofing?
Click the links to see useful facts about seagulls and pigeons.
Unfortunately, where there are birds there is bird guano (the polite term for bird droppings) and the mess gets everywhere. The neighbours’ cars, the street down below, the gutters, pipes and on the panels themselves.
Bird poop is nasty stuff and carries lots of pathogens that can be hazardous to health. It is just as nasty when it dries out as it can be breathed in. Once it accumulates, it hardens and can cause a build-up that is difficult to get rid out without professional cleaning. Whether you are a home or business owner, the mess is a problem for all.
Another by-products of nuisance birds are bird mites. You don’t want them in your property! This is a problem that can be difficult to get rid of, not to mention expensive. Unfortunately, many wild birds are hosts to bird mite.
At sunrise, you will hear them! The cries of gulls or the cooing of pigeons can be rather annoying and another reason why you don’t want birds nesting on your solar panels.
If you have solar panels overhead that aren’t bird-proofed, there is a very good chance you will be disturbed by nesting birds. Homeowners in particular will be woken up as the sunrises.
For those businesses and homes that do have solar panels, if you do get a nesting bird problem, you are going to have neighbours that are less than amused. Your issues will become their issues and it will be their cars that get dirty!
First, our Falcon Environmental Services will assess the extent of the problem. Birds that have been nesting there a while can have left a build-up of hardened bird poo. This needs to be cleaned away. We will get rid of as much as possible without compromising the effectiveness of the solar panels. We then install a bird-proofing system.
Our methods include the installation of a bird-proof meshing system designed to stop the birds from being able to perch on the panels. It is easy to install and means that there is no drilling required to the panels. It can be easily removed for maintenance or cleaning and does not invalidate the warranty of the panels. Solar panel bird-proofing protects the roof, the wiring and the equipment.
The pigeons may not move on straight away. They will hang around and work out what is going on, but being prevented from nesting under the panels will mean that they can’t get in or out as they did before. It will only be a matter of time before your bird problem is eradicated.
Falcon Environmental Services provides bird-proofing services to anyone who has solar panels, whether that be their home or business. We have also helped many large commercial clients, too.
Those with large premises tend to have lots of solar panels – which is like party time for the birds! We work with all manner of bird-proofing systems to provide the most effective protection for businesses. This can be specific bird meshing for domestic houses or bird spiking systems for solar farms. Our team will advise on the best solution to suit your particular circumstances.
This may extend to our bird hawking service for larger premises. We fly our Harris Hawks over an area which signals the threat of a predator. Now, done in isolation this won’t have much impact so it needs to be done over a period of time, varying the times that we fly the hawks so that the birds don’t get complacent. The hawk signals a threat and the pigeons, gulls and starlings will be encouraged to move on.
Don’t forget, these birds are protected under the Wildlife Act so it is illegal to interfere with their nests or eggs. Any bird control services need to be carried out by licensed and experienced professionals.
Unlike roof solar panels where the gap allows the birds to nest underneath, solar panels offer a different type of attraction. The light is very welcoming for birds and their prey.
The polarised light is mistaken for water. The vast expanse of panels also offer shelter to a number of different species of bird. The trouble is, they like to perch on top of the panels leaving a build-up mess. They also build their nest meaning there is lots of debris.
The damage caused by nuisance birds to solar panels can be extensive. They can damage the cables, wiring and the PV panels. Once the bird guano has built up in an area, you will need to get professional cleaners like Falcon Environmental Services in to remove it.
Nesting materials are often made out of straw and kindling. Solar panels can get very hot! Put the two together and you have a recipe for fire. Professional, effective solar farm bird-proofing is needed to negate the threat of any of these issues.
It is important to act sooner rather than later. Solar farm bird-proofing should take place when the solar panels are first installed however, hindsight can be a wonderful thing.
If you have a bird problem, Falcon Environmental Services can help you to resolve it but prevention is better than cure. You may not have a bird problem now but it could be just a matter of time before you do.
In addition to effective bird proofing, there are other precautions you can take to keep wildlife to a minimum. Regular mowing of the grass will stop it being a haven and shelter for animals. Now, we care about the environment and we don’t want to suggest that you remove the wildlife completely.
You can consider creating a bird habitat on land away from your solar panels if this is a possibility. If you want to create a haven for the local wildlife, use adjoining land. This way you are protecting your interests and the environment.
At Falcon Environmental Services, we offer a range of humane bird deterrents and bird proofing methods. Our aim is to discourage the birds from nesting and to move them on gently.
Whether it is the use of our Harris Hawks to indicate the threat of a predator or bird spiking and netting methods, our methods are effective and get results.
If you would like more information about our solar panel bird proofing, be sure to give us a call on 01752 929292 and we will be happy to take a look for you.
While we cover the whole of the South West, we are often called to work in the following areas due to the density of population and number of businesses.
 If your area is not listed, please do give us a call and we will be happy to help.
Call our friendly team and we’ll conduct an initial diagnosis, arranging a time to visit your property. We’re agile and courteous – we understand that you want to sort the issue quickly.
Our friendly, qualified experts will conduct a thorough analysis of your Bird Control issue and determine the best course of action. Our team are certified by leading industry bodies to offer tailored solutions.
We’ll organise a convenient time to implement the best solution and advise on how to best manage the issue in the future to give you complete peace of mind.
We provide trusted Bird Control services for commercial and domestic clients.
We have recently started using Falcon Environmental Services for a number of large commercial solar panel installations in the Plymouth area, both sites are located on the River Tamar and have a history of nesting birds. From the very beginning, it has been a joy to work with the team. The results have been fantastic, we have gone from having hundreds of birds on a roof to a dozen in a matter of weeks. I would not hesitate to use Falcon for future projects and I would recommend them to anyone that needs any Hawking needs.
Falcon Environmental Services are experts in Bird Control. We’ve developed our service into the leading provider in the South West with a mix of traditional methods, including our trained birds of prey, and modern solutions such as netting and spiking. Â
We protect some of Plymouth, Devon and Cornwall’s biggest businesses while still providing a dedicated service to domestic properties.
Call us on 01752 929292 or complete the form below and we’ll contact you.
Falcon Environmental Services are approved by industry-leading regulators as well as being audited by independent contractor bodies such as Safecontractor, CHAS and Prompt, giving you peace of mind you’re working with a professional, responsible team.
