How much does it cost to pigeon proof solar panels?

In our earlier blog Why you need to bird proof your solar panels, we talked about how solar panels provide the perfect environment for nesting pigeons. They love man-made structures to build nests and raise their young and solar panels offer warmth, protection and privacy for them.

This can become a real inconvenience for homeowners as pigeons, other birds and pests can cause lasting damage to solar panels. Their moving around could cause the circuits to break, whilst pigeon and vermin foul can be corrosive. Not to mention the fact that birds attract vermin, which then like to find their way into your home.

And then there is the nuisance noises, the early-morning cooing and trotting up and down the panels.

It’s best to be proactive: pigeon proof your panels before the problem arises. There are things you can do to pigeon proof your solar panels and prevent nesting before spending money on pest control:

Keep your garden clean and tidy –  If you can, remove all loose twigs and debris that pigeons like to use in their nests

Keep your bins secure – The birds are more likely to go somewhere else if there isn’t much to eat

Don’t leave pet food outside – The smell of food will attract unwanted visitors to your garden and is an easy food source for birds and other pests.

Think about purchasing deterrent devices –  Deterring pigeons from your panels before they start to nest is the best way to avoid a longer-term problem.

 

Prevention: Deterring pigeons from your panels

There are forms of pigeon deterrents are not intended to harm the animals, merely deter them. You can try sourcing your own bird mesh or anti-roosting spikes, but we don’t recommend trying this DIY without the relevant experience. These products are also quite hard to source from regular DIY stores. Get in touch with us to chat about how to deter pigeons from your panels.

Cure: Removing pigeons from your solar panels

Preventative maintenance is best for solar panel protection, but sometimes persistent pests will gain access to them and can cause substantial damage.

Arrest The Pest specialises in bird and pigeon removal from solar panels, in a non-harmful way. We move the birds along, provide protection for the panels and install a long-term fix. If you find that you have pigeons ensconced in your solar panels already, you will need a pest control service to help.

Our pigeon proofing services include:

 

• Cleaning of solar panels and the general roof area to remove bird mites, bird droppings and residue from the panels
• The removal of any existing nests or dead pigeons from the area. We work according to animal welfare laws, which means that we remove any eggs but let the squabs (baby pigeons) fledge before totally blocking the panels. We return to your solar panels to complete this work
• Installation of Stixxs Solar Flex to deter future inhabitants
• If you use another pest control firm, it is important to check how they plan to pigeon proof your solar panels to prevent future nesting.
• We are members of the British Pest Control Association so you can rest assured you are in safe hands

 

How much does it cost to pigeon proof solar panels?

The cost to pigeon proof your solar panels in Gloucestershire and the surrounding areas will be dependent on a number of factors. If your solar panels can be easily accessed via ladders, the cost will be significantly lower than if we have to use scaffolding. Where possible, we make every attempt to avoid the use of scaffolding to keep the costs down for our clients. Jeremy is very experienced with his set of ladders, so we are mostly successful with avoiding scaffolding! Get in touch for more information on this.

When you enquire about pest control services, we ask to send photographs of your home and the placement of your panels so we can assess the situation. We would then come out and visit you for a free consultation so we can evaluate the level of proofing required and discuss the cost.

The cost will depend on whether the pigeons have caused any damage. Pigeons and other pests can disconnect wires by sitting or making nests on them, or in extreme cases, can cause damage to your roof tiles. This will increase the cost as repair to the damage will need to be included in your estimate.

Standard pigeon proofing costs can range from around £800 to upwards of £1500. Our fee to pigeon proof your solar panels depends on a number of factors, but usually averages at around £900 (depending on what is required). We are a small, local business so we aim to keep our prices competitive. We like to build lasting relationships with our customers. Although we are unlikely to hear from you again with a solar panel proofing issue, you never know when you may need a friendly pest control visit.

Call us

If you would like advice or support with bird and pigeon proofing solar panels, don’t hesitate to call or message Jeremy on 07766083234 or contact us on Facebook.. We are always glad to help. Our prices are very competitive, we offer a very bespoke service and we are a local team working for local customers.