Problems Caused By Gulls Nesting Under Solar Panels - PEST UK

Providing pest control services in Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Essex, Hampshire, Hertfordshire, Kent, London, Middlesex, Northamptonshire, Oxfordshire, Surrey, West Midlands, West Sussex, Wiltshire. Est. 1985.

Problems Caused By Gulls Nesting Under Solar Panels

In Pests

Why has there been a rapid increase in the number of gulls living in urban areas?

The number of gulls living in towns and cities has been rapidly increasing over the last 10-years. This is because they have an easy supply of food from discarded waste on the streets and from scavenging in landfill sites. Also roosting and nesting on the roofs of office blocks and houses means they avoid predators such as foxes. The area under solar panels on roofs provides gulls with year-round shelter from the weather and predators. However, gulls roosting and nesting under solar panels causes lots of problems.

  • Large amounts of droppings which smell unpleasant, make a building look unsightly and harbour disease.
  • High levels of noise from nesting gulls and their young.
  • Nesting materials, feathers and droppings reduce the effectiveness of solar panels as well as block gutters and drains.
  • Gulls can be aggressive, particularly in spring and summer when they breed and raise their young.

 

Why is deterring seagulls from roosting and nesting under solar panels so important?

Gulls nesting under solar panels causes lots of problems. A build-up of gulls’ nesting materials, feathers and droppings on top of solar panels reduces their effectiveness. By blocking the light from reaching the panel’s surface, the current is prevented from flowing efficiently, creating an extreme temperature increase resulting in a ‘hotspot’. Hotspots lower the power output of the whole panel.

Bird-proofing the solar panels will help to remove long-term, avoidable maintenance costs.

What are the best ways to protect solar panels from gulls?

  • Deter gulls from landing on or near solar panels by using Bird Free repellent gel.
  • Prevent gulls from pushing underneath solar panels to nest by fitting specially designed mesh around the sides of the panels.
  • Proof anything on the roof which gulls can perch on by installing spikes.

How can you help protect solar panels from gulls?

Accessing your roof and solar panels to install spikes and fit mesh is difficult and dangerous. PEST UK’s technicians are trained to install solar panel mesh and spikes. They are experienced in using roofing ladders and have the correct equipment and training to work safely and effectively on most roofs. Two of our technicians are PASMA certified to build scaffolding.

Costs

The price varies depending on how many panels there are, the height of the building and accessibility.

For a quote for solar panel proofing fill in our ONLINE FORMor call 0800 026 0308

Pest UK

We provide fast, reliable and effective pest control services for homes and business premises. Professionally trained and qualified technicians deliver guaranteed results using biodegradable insecticides and poisons. We are a full member of the BPCA (British Pest Control Association), the governing body for pest control in the UK. Using a BPCA member company ensures you have a qualified, professional and fully insured company treating your pest problem.

PEST UK have offices in Bracknell, Edgware, Salisbury, St Albans, Stevenage, Swindon, Thame, Wantage, Ware, Watford and Woking

NEXT/PREVIOUS:

Clothes and Carpet Moth Treatment and Prevention »
Starving Rats Forced to Move Out of Town Centres by Covid Lockdown «