Pigeons are present everywhere, and some cities like New York have more pigeon populations than humans. Pigeons find shelter under your solar panels because they are warm, and the small area is ideal for them to lay eggs. A couple of birds will not cause any harm to your highly invested solar panels, and they will be friendly. But the birds will turn pesky when a group of them makes your panel home and constantly shit on your roof.
Do not let them nest
Do not let the birds nest under your solar panel and drive them away when you first see them. If you have a garden, build a pigeon nest on the ground to keep them away from the solar panels. Place food and water around the nest on the floor to prevent the birds from perching on the solar panel. Place scarecrows resembling an owl or snake on the solar panel to scare away the birds.
Advanced scarecrows emit certain sounds and lights to drive the birds away from the solar panel. Installing solar panels is very costly even though it pays off in the long run and is environmentally friendly. But, tons of bird poo and saliva will cause corrosion very soon, making them malfunction in a short period. Keeping pigeons away from solar panels is not an easy task so always seek professional advice from the experts who know the in and out of it.
Eliminate food sources
Birds and animals often flock to an area only when there is a good food supply and water source. If you don’t want pigeons shitting your solar panels remove all the food sources from the surroundings. Close all the dustbins in the surroundings and pluck the trees near your roof to cut the food source. Pigeons love to feed on seeds, fruits, and other small insects from your sewer or garden.
Clean your garden regularly and ensure all the plants are healthy without any insects on them to prevent birds from feeding on them. Avoid feeding the birds with bread or whole grains and spilling them out on the balcony or terrace, which will attract the birds. Keep your litter box closed and seal the bottom of your solar panels to prevent birds from making a home.
Use bird mesh
Installing a bird’s mesh over your solar panels is an easy way to eliminate the birds staying on the solar panels. It is one of the most humane ways to drive away pigeons instead of trapping or shooting them. The meshes seal the areas under the solar panels using metal. The meshes are discreet and don’t spoil your roof’s aesthetic look.
It is wise to install such solar panel meshes when purchasing the solar panels, as it will go along with the investment. The birds will often remove the meshes or peck them and enter under the solar panel if they don’t get installed properly. Always talk about the extra protection and experienced professionals who will get it done right when purchasing the solar panels.
Keep a cat or dog
Pets like dogs and cats are very good at chasing pigeons, and they will keep your roof safe at all costs. They will get plenty of exercise driving the birds throughout the day and protecting your roof. Some people grow owls that scare away pigeons if there are many of them. City dwellers often select wild cats proficient in climbing the roofs and driving away pigeons.
Select a breed of cat or dog that loves hunting and train it from a young age to chase pigeons. The process is easy because these pets drive them away instinctively. Pets will understand they must drive away birds if they see you doing it or reward them with a treat when they do it. Several trainers also teach your pets to hunt with expertise.
Clean and maintain panels
Pets can control pigeon problems to a certain extent if only a few birds nest under your solar panels. Cleaning the panels regularly to get rid of the bird poo and maintaining them properly without any holes between them and the roof is necessary. Pigeons often hide food on the mounting panel holes or perch through a small opening.
A well-maintained solar panel in working conditions will not attract them much because of excessive heat and movement. Don’t leave the panels filled with leaves and dust making it a home for birds looking for a safe place to nest. Regular maintenance of panels through a professional company will keep the top of the panels smooth, preventing pigeons from perching on them.