What Happens After Pigeons Are Blocked From Under Solar Panels?
- 5 days ago
- 4 min read
Installing bird mesh around solar panels blocks pigeons from getting back underneath the array, but homeowners often wonder what happens next. Do the pigeons immediately leave? Do they move somewhere else on the roof? Will they keep trying to get back underneath the panels?
What happens depends on the property and how established the pigeons were before the bird mesh was installed.
Pigeons May Keep Coming Back at First
If pigeons have been nesting underneath the same solar panels for a long time, they may continue returning to the roof after the area is blocked off.
They are familiar with the property and may initially try to get back underneath the panels.
This is one reason the bird mesh needs to fully block the perimeter of the solar array. Small openings around corners or unusual sections of the panels can become potential access points.
The goal of the mesh is simple. The pigeons can return to the roof, but they can no longer get back into the protected nesting area underneath the panels.
Can Pigeons Move Somewhere Else on the Roof?
Yes, sometimes.
Blocking access underneath solar panels does not make pigeons disappear from the neighborhood. Some pigeons may begin looking around the same property for another place to land, roost, or nest.
On Arizona homes, some of the other areas we look at include:
Rooftop AC equipment
Sheltered areas underneath eaves
Protected pockets where rooflines meet
Ledges
Other protected sections of the roof
This does not mean every home needs bird spikes or bird wire installed everywhere.
Some homes have one obvious problem underneath the solar panels. Other homes have several areas pigeons are already using.
Bird Mesh, Bird Spikes, and Bird Wire Solve Different Problems
One bird control product is not necessarily the right solution for every part of a home.
Bird Mesh
For pigeons nesting underneath solar panels, we use PVC coated galvanized steel mesh to physically block access underneath the array.
The mesh is installed around the perimeter of the solar panels so pigeons cannot get back into the space underneath.
Bird Spikes
Bird spikes are generally used on specific surfaces where pigeons are landing or roosting.
They may make sense on certain ledges, rooftop equipment, or other surfaces depending on how pigeons are using the property.
Bird Wire
Tensioned bird wire can also be used on certain landing and roosting areas where it is a better fit than spikes.
The important part is matching the solution to the actual pigeon behavior.
Does Every Home Need Additional Bird Proofing?
No.
If pigeons are primarily nesting underneath the solar panels and there are no other significant problem areas, blocking access underneath the panels may be the main thing that needs to be addressed.
On another home, pigeons may already be using several different locations.
That is why we do not think homeowners should automatically cover every possible surface with bird deterrents.
You first want to identify where the pigeons are actually spending their time.
What About the Nests Underneath the Panels?
Blocking pigeons out is only part of the job if there are already nests and nesting material underneath the solar array.
This is something homeowners should ask about before hiring a pigeon control company.
Ask whether the company is actually cleaning underneath the panels or only removing material that is easy to reach around the outside.
A solar array can hide much more nesting material than what you can see while standing on the ground.
Will Pigeons Eventually Stop Trying to Get Under the Panels?
Once the area is properly blocked, the pigeons can no longer use the space underneath the panels in the same way.
Exactly how long pigeons continue visiting the property can vary, so we would not give every homeowner the same prediction.
The important part is that the nesting area they were previously using is no longer accessible.
If pigeons begin heavily using another area of the property afterward, that new behavior can then be evaluated separately.
What Should You Watch for After Pigeon Proofing?
After bird mesh is installed, keep an eye on where pigeons are spending their time.
You may notice that they:
Continue landing on the roof
Walk around the perimeter of the solar panels
Spend more time on a nearby ledge
Begin sitting around rooftop AC equipment
Use another protected area of the roof
Seeing a pigeon on the roof does not automatically mean the bird mesh failed.
The important question is whether they are able to get back underneath the solar panels.
The Goal Is to Block the Nesting Area
Solar panel pigeon proofing is not about making sure a pigeon never lands on your property again.
The primary goal is to physically prevent pigeons from accessing the protected space underneath the solar panels where they were nesting or roosting.
If the pigeons are also using other parts of the home, those areas can be addressed based on what is actually happening rather than automatically installing deterrents everywhere.
That is why understanding the pigeons' behavior across the entire property is an important part of choosing the right solution.
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