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A & H Pest Control
The Berries
Yester Rd
BR7 5LT
020 8295 3402
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Pigeon Behaviour & Why They Target Solar Panels
If you’ve discovered pigeons nesting under your solar panels, you’re not alone. Across London and Southern England, solar panel owners frequently struggle with these persistent birds. But why are pigeons so attracted to solar panels, and why do they keep coming back once they’ve found them?
At A&H Pest Control, we’ve spent over 30 years dealing with pigeon infestations. Understanding pigeon behaviour is essential to creating effective, long-term bird proofing. In this guide, we’ll explain why pigeons target solar panels, how their behaviour makes infestations worse, and what you can do to stop them — permanently.
Preventing pigeons under solar panels video
Stop Pigeons under your Solar Panels
Pigeon Proofing installs
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Why Do Pigeons Love Solar Panels?
Shelter From Predators
Solar panels create a covered, hidden space that keeps pigeons safe from predators like hawks, cats, and foxes. Once they find this shelter, they rarely leave willingly.
Warmth All Year Round
Solar panels absorb and retain heat, especially in colder months. This makes them an appealing nesting site during winter, when other sheltered spaces are scarce.
Nesting Opportunities
The underside of panels offers an ideal structure for building nests. Pigeons are opportunistic breeders, and these spaces provide a perfect environment for raising chicks.
High Vantage Points
Pigeons prefer elevated nesting spots, giving them a clear view of food sources and potential threats. Rooftop solar panels tick all these boxes.
How Pigeon Behaviour Makes Infestations Worse
Pigeons aren’t just occasional visitors — they’re persistent and social birds. Once they discover a safe nesting site, they quickly settle in and multiply.
Year-Round Breeding
Unlike many other birds, pigeons breed throughout the year in the UK. A single pair can produce multiple broods annually, turning a small problem into a full-blown infestation within months.
Flock Mentality
Pigeons are highly social. Once one pair settles under your panels, others quickly follow. This leads to large flocks congregating on your roof, bringing more mess and damage.
Homing Instinct
Pigeons have an exceptional homing ability. Even if you remove them temporarily, they often return to the same nesting spot unless a physical barrier prevents access.
Persistent Nesting
Pigeons are tenacious nesters. If their nesting material is removed but access remains open, they will rebuild within days.
The Impact of Pigeons on Your Solar Panels
Fouling and Corrosion
Pigeon droppings are highly acidic, corroding panel surfaces and reducing their efficiency.
Wiring and Component Damage
Pigeons often peck at or dislodge wiring, leading to faults, reduced output, or even electrical hazards.
Gutter Blockages
Nesting debris washes into gutters, causing blockages, leaks, and water damage to your property.
Noise and Disturbance
Constant cooing, scratching, and flapping can become a daily nuisance, especially in loft spaces.
Secondary Infestations
Pigeon nests attract other pests like mites, fleas, and beetles, compounding the problem.
Pigeon Proofing your Solar Panels
A service we are always in demand for...
Solar panels attract birds because its a warm, sheltered and a safe area to roost and to raise their young. This creates an ideal habitat for the birds and for the mites and fleas that live in and around their nests. Birds living under the solar panels can interfere/discount the wiring of the solar array and their acidic droppings can damage the connections to the panels. Also, heavy staining from their waste can effect the amount of energy the panels generate.
Birds nest under the solar panels between the panels and the roof.
We have received over 350+ positive reviews over the many years we have been in operation. You can see these Reviews by clicking the speech bubble icon.
Just get in contact and we can arrange a time to come to your property to fix your Bird nuisance.
Why Pigeons Keep Coming Back
If you’ve already tried scaring pigeons away or removing nests, you’ve probably noticed they quickly return. Here’s why:
Strong Site Fidelity
Pigeons are extremely loyal to nesting sites. Once they find a safe space, they’ll keep coming back — even if disturbed.
Lack of Predators
Urban environments like London give pigeons few natural predators. This makes rooftops with solar panels perfect for long-term colonisation.
Easy Food Access
Proximity to parks, bins, and food outlets provides a steady food supply, making rooftops even more appealing.
Ineffective Deterrents
DIY methods like plastic owls, reflective tape, or loose netting fail because pigeons quickly adapt or find ways around them.
Don’t let the birds wake you at 4am ever again..
With our proven Wire Mesh Solution you will no longer be bothered by your feathered “friends”!
- 15 Year Guarantee
- Guaranteed 100% to stop Birds Accessing under Solar Panels
- Full clean/disinfect of the gutters and under the panels is carried out as standard
- We never drill or screw into panels
- Heavy duty, high grade galvanised mesh
- We only use metal fixings to attached the mesh. We do not recommend plastic cable ties or panels clips
Why DIY Bird Proofing Fails Against Pigeons
Many solar panel owners try to fix the problem with cheap kits or homemade deterrents. Unfortunately, these rarely work.
- Pre-cut mesh leaves gaps: Pigeons exploit even the smallest openings.
- Weak adhesives fail: Low-grade fittings loosen in bad weather, letting pigeons back in.
- No long-term strategy: DIY attempts don’t account for pigeons’ homing instincts or persistence.
Legal risks: Removing active nests without proper authorisation breaches UK bird laws.
How Professional Proofing Stops Pigeons for Good
At A&H Pest Control, we don’t just block access — we create long-term solutions that prevent pigeons from returning.
Custom-Fit Mesh Barriers
Our durable, corrosion-resistant mesh is cut and fitted on-site, ensuring no gaps remain for pigeons to exploit.
Non-Invasive Installation
We use specialist clips that secure mesh without drilling or damaging panels, protecting your warranties.
Optional Deterrents
In high-pressure areas, we install anti-roosting spikes on nearby ledges to prevent pigeons from perching close to your panels.
Decontamination
We remove all nests, droppings, and debris before installation, restoring hygiene and preventing secondary pest problems.
Long-Term Guarantees
Our installations are backed by a 15-year guarantee, giving you peace of mind that pigeons won’t return.
Why Understanding Pigeon Behaviour Matters
Bird proofing isn’t one-size-fits-all. To effectively deter pigeons, you must understand their habits:
- They exploit gaps: Which is why our mesh is precision-fitted.
- They are loyal to nesting sites: Which is why physical barriers are essential.
- They breed year-round: Which is why waiting only makes infestations worse.
By tailoring our methods to pigeon behaviour, we deliver solutions that actually work.
Why Choose A&H for Pigeon Proofing?
With over three decades of experience, A&H Pest Control is one of the most trusted names in solar panel pigeon protection.
- Proven expertise: We understand pigeons and how to keep them away.
- Tailored solutions: Every installation is customised to your property.
- Non-invasive methods: Our fittings protect your panels and warranties.
- Trusted across the region: Thousands of satisfied customers across London and Southern England.
When you hire A&H, you get more than just bird proofing — you get lasting protection.
Take Action Today
Pigeons won’t leave on their own. In fact, the longer you wait, the worse the problem becomes.
Call A&H Pest Control on 020 8295 3402 for a free consultation. Our experts will assess your property, explain your options, and install a pigeon-proofing system that lasts.
What Customers say about us
A small sample of the 100’s of positive reviews we have received recently, see here for all our online reviews.
Protect your Solar Panels from bird nesting/pigeons under solar panels
FAQs
First of all, you can use a bird mesh that will prevent pigeons from nesting under your panels. Pigeons love to eat, so you need to remove their food sources. The excrement they leave behind can be hazardous and may even cause damage to your solar panels. Pigeons will not return if you cover the panels with mesh. Once the pigeons have left, you can apply bird repellent to the area.
Alternatively, you can use a pigeon deflector to protect your solar panels. This type of netting can be placed in different areas of the roof, including those that don’t have solar panels. This method works well, and it will keep pigeons away for a long time, though you may need to replace it every few months. Another option is to install weatherproof string around your solar panels.
You can also use bird mesh to prevent pigeons under solar panels issues. Bird mesh is a humane deterrents, and are very attractive to the eye. The mesh is designed to cover the space underneath solar panels. The mesh needs to be clipped to surfaces and run around the edge, but they are highly effective and can prevent pigeons from nesting.
The cost of pigeon-proofing solar panels is determined by a number of factors, including the size of the solar panels, their location, and safe access. This is particularly important for properties with three storeys or glass conservatories, as birds are prone to nesting in hard to reach places. In addition to the cost of installing wire mesh, you may also need to install bird-proofing spikes or additional scaffolding to prevent the birds from nesting in your panels.
Jackdaws and Solar Panels
We also can help with any problems you may be having with Jackdaws under your solar panels on your roof, please call us if you need any help or advice.
Our team can help remove the Jackdaws humanely and protect you from future disturbances, we know how birds on your roof can ruin your sleep, due to their very early morning movements.
We Clear and improve previous poor installations by other companies
Click Arrow to see BEFORE/AFTER image, prior to us working to remove eye sore ineffective spikes.
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