Can Pigeons Nest in Bird Spikes? When Spikes Work and When Bird Mesh Is Better

Yes, pigeons can sometimes build nests in bird spikes.

That surprises a lot of homeowners because bird spikes are supposed to keep pigeons from landing. The problem is that not every spike system is designed or installed well enough to stop determined pigeons.

We see the biggest problems with cheap plastic spikes, spikes with too few prongs, or installations that leave enough open space for pigeons to settle between them.

At Cheetah, if pigeons are nesting in an area that can be physically closed off, we usually recommend mesh first. Mesh blocks access to the nesting area instead of trying to make the surface uncomfortable to use.

When physical exclusion is not practical, a properly selected and installed bird spike system can be a good second option.

Why Would a Pigeon Build a Nest in Bird Spikes?

Bird spikes are designed to make a surface difficult for pigeons to land and settle on.

They do not create a solid barrier.

That distinction matters.

If there is enough room between the prongs, pigeons may still be able to:

• Stand between them

• Push nesting material into the gaps

• Build material up over time

• Find an uncovered section

• Use the spike base as part of the nesting area

Once enough nesting material accumulates, the spikes may become much less effective.

The pigeons are essentially filling in the space that was supposed to discourage them from using the surface.

Cheap Plastic Bird Spikes Can Be a Problem

One of the first things we look at is what type of spike is actually being installed.

We generally do not recommend cheap plastic bird spikes for long term pigeon control.

Plastic spikes can be inexpensive and easy to install, but they may not provide the same durability or coverage that we want on an Arizona roof.

The more important issue is often the design itself.

Some inexpensive spike strips have very few prongs with large open areas between them.

That gives a determined pigeon more room to work with.

A spike strip can technically be present while still leaving enough usable space for the bird.

Too Few Prongs Can Leave Room for Pigeons

The density of the spike system matters.

Think about two spike strips.

One has only a few widely spaced prongs.

The other has many prongs covering the entire landing surface.

Those are not the same level of deterrent.

With a low density spike system, there may still be enough space for pigeons to position themselves between the prongs.

That is why simply asking:

"Are you installing bird spikes?"

is not enough.

Ask:

"What type of bird spikes are you installing, and how much of the surface will they actually cover?"

We prefer a durable metal spike system with enough prongs to properly cover the area being treated.

Why We Usually Prefer Mesh When Pigeons Are Nesting

When possible, we would rather physically block the nesting area.

That is the biggest difference between mesh and spikes.

Bird spikes discourage pigeons from using a surface.

Bird mesh can prevent them from entering an area altogether.

For example, if pigeons are nesting underneath solar panels, we do not think putting spikes around random sections of the roof is the best first solution.

We would normally rather install bird mesh around the solar array so pigeons cannot get underneath the panels.

The pigeons can still land somewhere on the roof.

They just cannot access the nesting space underneath the array.

That is a much clearer objective.

Bird Mesh Is Usually Better for Enclosed Nesting Areas

Some pigeon problems involve a space that can be physically closed.

Examples can include:

• Underneath solar panels

• Certain protected roof openings

• Some eave areas

• Other cavities pigeons are entering to nest

In these situations, exclusion is usually our first choice.

If we can stop the pigeon from physically entering the space, we are not relying solely on a deterrent to convince the bird not to use it.

That is why solar panel bird mesh is one of our primary solutions for pigeons nesting underneath rooftop solar.

When Do Bird Spikes Make More Sense?

Spikes become more useful when there is not a practical way to physically enclose the surface.

For example, pigeons may regularly sit on:

• A narrow ledge

• The top of rooftop equipment

• Certain roof features

• Signs

• Beams

• Other exposed landing or roosting surfaces

You cannot always put mesh around an exposed ledge.

In that situation, spikes may make much more sense.

The goal is to cover the surface pigeons want to use so there is no comfortable place for them to settle.

Mesh First, Spikes Second When Possible

This is generally how we think about it.

First choice: physical exclusion

If pigeons are entering a protected area and we can reasonably block that access, we usually prefer mesh.

The pigeon cannot nest somewhere it cannot enter.

Second choice: bird spikes

If the surface cannot reasonably be enclosed, a properly installed spike system may be the better option.

That does not mean spikes are bad.

It means spikes and mesh solve different types of pigeon problems.

Problems happen when someone uses one product for every situation.

Can You Put Bird Spikes Around Solar Panels?

You can use bird spikes in certain areas around a solar system, but spikes are generally not our preferred way to deal with pigeons actually nesting underneath the panels.

If there is still an open path underneath the array, pigeons may still be able to access that protected space.

For an established under panel nesting problem, we would rather physically close the perimeter with bird mesh.

Spikes may still be useful elsewhere on the roof if pigeons are heavily using another exposed surface.

That decision should be based on what the pigeons are actually doing.

Why More Spikes Are Not Always Better

A pigeon problem does not automatically mean your entire roof should be covered in spikes.

We do not recommend installing deterrents everywhere just because pigeons have been seen on the house.

Instead, identify:

• Where they are nesting

• Where they are regularly roosting

• Where they are only passing through

• Which areas are actually creating the problem

Then address those locations.

If pigeons are primarily underneath the solar panels, physically excluding that area may solve the main problem without covering unrelated roof surfaces in spikes.

If they are also heavily using a specific AC unit or ledge, that area can be evaluated separately.

What Should Good Bird Spikes Look Like?

When spikes are the right solution, we want them to actually cover the surface pigeons are trying to use.

A good installation should account for:

• The width of the landing surface

• The number of prongs

• The spacing between the prongs

• Any gaps beside or behind the spike strip

• Corners and changes in the surface

• The durability of the spike material

Simply placing one narrow row of weak spikes on a wide ledge may leave plenty of usable space beside them.

The installation needs to match the actual surface.

What if Pigeons Are Already Nesting in Existing Spikes?

If pigeons have successfully built a nest inside an existing spike system, we would not simply keep adding more of the same spikes without first looking at why it happened.

We would want to know:

• Are the spikes plastic?

• Are there too few prongs?

• Is the coverage too narrow?

• Are there open areas beside the spikes?

• Has nesting material filled the gaps?

• Could the nesting area be physically blocked instead?

Sometimes the better solution is replacing the existing spike setup.

Other times the bigger lesson is that spikes were not the right product for that location in the first place.

Bird Spikes Are Not the Same as Bird Proofing

This is another important distinction.

A homeowner may hear that a company is going to "pigeon proof" the house and assume that means pigeons will physically be blocked from every problem area.

That is not necessarily what bird spikes do.

Spikes are a deterrent.

Mesh is an exclusion barrier.

If you are comparing pigeon control quotes, ask exactly what product is being installed and what it is supposed to accomplish.

A company should be able to explain:

What area are we treating?

What are the pigeons doing there?

Why is this product the right solution?

What Should You Ask Before Paying for Bird Spikes?

Before hiring someone, we recommend asking:

• Are the spikes metal or plastic?

• How many prongs do they have?

• Will the entire landing surface be covered?

• Why are you recommending spikes instead of mesh?

• Is there a way to physically block the nesting area?

• Have pigeons already been nesting here?

• What happens if pigeons begin nesting between the spikes?

• Can you show me photos of similar installations?

Those questions can help you understand whether you are getting a real solution or simply having spike strips installed wherever pigeons have been seen.

Our Recommendation: Block Access First When You Can

Bird spikes can absolutely be useful.

We install them ourselves when they are the right tool for the location.

But for an actual nesting area, our first preference is usually to physically block access whenever that is practical.

For pigeons underneath solar panels, that normally means bird mesh around the perimeter of the array.

For an exposed surface that cannot reasonably be enclosed, properly installed bird spikes can be a good second option.

And if spikes are being used, we recommend avoiding cheap plastic products or low density spike strips with too few prongs.

The product should actually cover the area the pigeons are trying to use.

If you are dealing with pigeons around your solar panels, roof, AC equipment, or other areas of your Arizona home, visit our pigeon proofing service page to see the different bird control options we use.