The Hidden Dangers of Nesting Birds

As more people across the UK seek ways to reduce their energy bills, the installation of solar panels has become increasingly popular among British households. According to GreenMatch, over 4,000 solar panels are installed each month on average in the UK.

However, it’s not just homeowners benefiting from solar panels—pigeons have discovered that these installations provide ideal nesting spots, offering shelter from the elements. This can result in nesting materials being washed into gutters, causing blockages, and potentially damaging the solar panels themselves.

Additionally, bird droppings, which contain uric acid, can cause significant damage to building materials such as stone, metal, and brickwork. The British Pest Control Association (BPCA) reports that pigeons can carry over 110 pathogens, and other research suggests that wild birds can transmit diseases to humans.

The most common diseases and pathogens carried by birds include:

Diseases can even be transmitted from pigeon droppings. Once the droppings dry, it can create small air-borne particles that could to respiratory issues. Due to this reason wearing the right PPE (Personal Protective Equipment (PPE Kit) – 1env Solutions) is vital when cleaning bird droppings. In 2019, two patients from Glasgow had passed away after contracting a cryptococcal fungal infection. Their deaths were later linked to pigeon droppings.

It is essential to keep birds away from food manufacturers & distributors, as many wild birds have the potential to carry food-borne diseases. Poor food hygiene standards can lead to these diseases being passed onto humans.

Birds can also carry insects (Bird mites, ticks, fleas, and beetles) and if they decide on making their nest on your property, this can lead to a secondary infestation. These small creatures can multiply into thousands, the last thing you want for you and your pets is to deal with all the biting, itching and the crawling sensation from these insects.

Installing bird-proofing products from ensures your solar panels remain safe, efficient, and protected from the potential havoc caused by nesting birds. Birds, particularly pigeons, are drawn to the shelter solar panels offer, leading to blocked gutters, damaged panels, and a buildup of droppings that can degrade your property over time. Our premium bird-proofing solutions, such as Solar Mesh and Pro-Bird Solar-Guard spikes, are designed to prevent these problems while being easy to install and highly durable. Investing in these protective measures will save you the costly repairs and inefficiencies that bird-related damage can cause.

In addition to the physical damage, bird droppings pose a serious health risk due to the pathogens they carry. Our products act as an essential barrier, preventing birds from nesting beneath your panels and eliminating potential exposure to harmful diseases like salmonella, E. coli, and histoplasmosis. By choosing our range of high-quality, tested bird deterrents, you’ll not only preserve the performance and longevity of your solar panels but also maintain the safety and cleanliness of your property.

At 1env, have a wide range of products available to suit every situation and need…

Pro-Bird Solar-Guard Lite (Pro-Bird Solar-Guard Lite – 1env Solutions)

New to the Pro bird range this product offers a great lightweight alternative to our ever-popular solar guard adjustable spikes. Manufactured with high quality stainless steel adjustable pins on a UV stabilised plastic based.

The spikes are fully adjustable to suit all tile types and the plastic base can be easily cut down to size with tin snips or heavy-duty cutters. A good quality silicone adhesive such as Fixall is a great way to attach these to the solar panel frame.

Solar Mesh (Buy Solar Panel Mesh 30mm Online – 1env Solutions)

Solar panel bird mesh is ideal for preventing pigeons and other birds from nesting under solar panels. With the correct installation, bird deterrent mesh does not cause damage to roof tiles or solar panels. The high-quality solar panel exclusion mesh is made up of electro-welded steel wires with square-shaped meshes.

Roof Spikes

ProBird® Range: Pro-Bird Spike 2 – 1env Solutions/ Pro-Bird Spike 4 – 1env Solutions/ ProBird® Spike 5 – 1env Solutions

Defender™ Range: Defender™ Solar Panel Bird Spike – 1env Solutions/ Defender 12 Stainless Steel Bird Spike – 1env Solutions/ Gull Spike – 1env Solutions/ Defender 8 Stainless Steel Bird Spike – 1env Solutions/ Defender 8 Plastic Bird Spike – 1env Solutions

Spikes may not be the most attractive look to a roof, but they are great at preventing birds from nesting underneath solar panels. They come in a variety of sizes and are very effective as they make it uncomfortable for birds to sit in their desired area.

Decoy Animal (Flying Falcon Bird Scarer – 1env Solutions/ Wind Action Owl – 1env Solutions)

An inexpensive bird deterrent option, yet very effective at keeping birds away. We have two types at 1env, The Wind Action Owl and The Decoy Falcon. The Wind Owl has a rotating head that is wind-activated, so movement is unpredictable and doesn’t require power to create the motion. Arriving with a hanging system. The Decoy Falcon has a flexible hanging arm to get maximum movement even in a gentle breeze.

Avi-shield Proofing Spikes (Avi-shield Proofing Spikes (Per M) – 1env Solutions)

Brand new and exclusive to the Pro-bird range comes this revolutionary, discreet and highly effective proofing spike that prevents birds from gaining access underneath solar panels and other gaps. This unique spike is constructed from durable, UV-stabilised plastic making it extremely light and easy to install, without compromising on strength.

Due to the unique design of the spikes, they can be removed if access to the underneath of the panel is required. The base of the spike can easily be snapped to size making it quick and easy to work with.