Pigeons can be a nuisance to have around, especially if you have solar panels.
These birds love to take residence under solar panels because they tend to be dark and humid. As a result, the warmth and constant darkness under the panels are the perfect environments for pigeons to thrive in.
Pigeons can leave their excrement on the solar panels which can reduce their performance by up to 10%.
However, this doesn’t mean that you need to give up using your solar panels. There are ways to repel them without needing special traps or spending lots of money on new technology.
Here is everything that you need to know about how to get rid of pigeons under solar panels so that you can get back to using them as effectively as possible.
Why Are Pigeons Such a Problem for Solar Panels?
Pigeons are a problem for solar panels because they cause a lot of damage to the panels.
They can leave excrement and other materials that can build up on the panels. As a result, this can reduce the amount of energy that solar panels are able to produce.
Pigeons leave feathers and other materials that can get stuck in the panels. This can even cause the panels to become clogged and stop working entirely.
This can be a significant problem for homeowners because a broken solar panel can mean that it is no longer effective. It can also mean that you end up having to replace it sooner than you otherwise would have to.
How to Get Rid of Pigeons Under Solar Panels
The best way to stop birds from nesting under solar panels is to make the panels less welcoming to the birds.
Covering up the bottom of the panels with netting is a good way to do it. This will make the environment under the panels less desirable for pigeons. It will also make it a lot harder for them to get under the panels in the first place.
A bird is a very good climber so this method is not fool-proof. However, netting is cheap and easy to put in place. It is also effective at keeping pigeons away from the panels and keeping their excrement off of them. If you are looking for a long-term solution of how to get rid of pigeons under solar panels, then this is a great option.
Install Netting Around the Bottom of Your Solar Panels
One of the best ways to get rid of pigeons under solar panels is to install netting around the bottom of them. This is an interesting option if you want to make sure that the birds don’t make their way under the panels again in the future. The best way to control this is to make sure that the netting is taut.
Pigeons will only make their homes under the panels if they are loose enough for the birds to fit through.
Use an Ultrasonic Pest Repeller
Another way that you can get rid of pigeons under solar panels is by using an ultrasonic pest repeller.
An ultrasonic repellent can be a good addition to netting to make sure that the birds don’t come back.
These devices are powered by batteries and emit noises that are unpleasant to pigeons. Pigeons are driven away from these noises and will choose to nest elsewhere. If you want a long-term solution to eliminate pigeons of your solar panels, then this is a great option to go with.
It is easy to set up and can be left on all the time so that the pigeons don’t have a chance to come back.
Solar Panel Covers That Repel Pigeons
Solar panel covers that repel pigeons are another good option for how to get rid of pigeons under solar panels.
These covers have the same effect as netting but are more permanent.
Solar panel covers are designed to be put on the panels and then removed after the sun goes down. This makes them much more effective at keeping away pigeons than netting is. Solar panel covers are also more durable than netting. This makes them a great long-term solution to prevent pigeons from getting under your solar panels.
Pigeons don’t like to nest under solar panels that have covers over them. These panels are also good at keeping off other pests such as rodents and insects so they can be worth the investment.
Other Strategies to Repel Pigeons and Deterring Equipment
You can also make your roof less welcoming to pigeons to prevent them from choosing to nest there in the first place.
Try to keep your property as clean as possible so there is less food for the pigeons to eat. Pigeons like to eat grains and other food items so keeping them out of storage areas and off of your property is a way to keep them away.
Pigeons are also very sensitive to light. Having bright lights around your home can be helpful in keeping the birds away. You can also try using things such as scarecrows to keep pigeons away from your property.
For the last option, seek help from a professional services company to complete the work.