Pigeons look harmless enough, until a pair settle on your roof and refuse to leave. You may already have noticed the signs, like cooing at first light, droppings on your patio or car park or twigs poking out from under the tiles. Once pigeons feel at home, they rarely move on by themselves, and the longer they stay, the more you’ll spend on cleaning and repairs.
In this post, we’ll explain the problems pigeons can cause for homeowners and business owners, and how we stop them roosting on your roof. If you’re in Derby or anywhere across Derbyshire, this should help you decide what to do next. Every method we use is humane, so the birds come to no harm.
Why pigeons choose your roof
Pigeons want what you want from a building – warmth, shelter and a safe spot to raise a family. Your roof gives them all three. They squeeze into gaps beneath tiles, settle on ledges and parapets, perch on chimney tops and shelter under solar panels, where the shade and warm air suit them. Flat commercial roofs work just as well, and bins, loading bays and dropped food make them even more appealing. Old chimney pots, missing tiles and the gaps behind fascias give them easy access, and they’ll use several spots on the same building.
Once a pair nests, they’ll return year after year and bring friends with them. Two birds in spring can become a flock by autumn. You’ll find it far easier to deal with pigeons early, before the droppings pile up and the nesting material starts causing damage you can’t see from the ground.
The problems pigeons cause at home
Pigeons can cause more trouble than you’d expect, and most of it costs you time or money to clean up or repair. Here’s what you might face:
- Acidic droppings: They stain your paintwork, patio, conservatory and car, and they can corrode metal and stonework if you leave them there.
- Blocked gutters and drains: Nesting material clogs your gutters, downpipes and vents. Rainwater then overflows and soaks into your walls, which can lead to damp.
- Noise: Cooing, scratching and flapping in your roof space can wake you at dawn and wear you down.
- Mites and bacteria: Pigeons and their waste can carry mites and bacteria, which can spread into your home and attract other pests.
- Roof damage: Twigs, feathers and debris can lift tiles, block airflow and damage wiring under solar panels.
- Established nests: Pigeons can nest in your loft, chimney or behind fascia boards. Removing a nest that’s been there for months takes time and effort.
- A spoiled outdoor space: Droppings build up on window sills, balconies and garden furniture, so you can’t enjoy your garden or terrace.
Cleaning up after pigeons is an unpleasant job, and you’ll repeat it until the birds move on. Bird-proofing stops the problem at source, so you can stop worrying about what’s happening above your head and enjoy your garden again.
The problems pigeons cause for businesses
If you run a business, pigeons can hurt your reputation and your bottom line as well as your building.
Commercial premises often have large, quiet roofs, wide ledges and sheltered loading areas, so they attract bigger flocks than a typical home. Here’s what they can cause:
- Slip hazards: Droppings on entrances, walkways and loading areas make surfaces slippery. You could be held responsible if a customer or member of staff gets hurt.
- A poor first impression: Visitors notice mess and birds around your premises, and they remember it.
- Costly maintenance: Blocked drainage and damaged roofing on commercial units mean repair bills and disruption to your working day.
- Damaged signage and canopies: Droppings and nesting materials spoil shopfronts, signs and canopies, which means extra cleaning and replacement costs.
- Hygiene issues: If you run a food, hospitality, healthcare or retail site, birds and droppings near your premises put your standards at risk.
Repeated cleaning and repairs often cost you more than stopping the birds from roosting in the first place. A one-off bird proofing job protects your building, your customers and your staff, and it saves you chasing contractors every time the birds return.
How MSD keeps pigeons off your roof
We start with a site survey. We inspect your roof, find where the birds get in and where they roost, and recommend the method that suits your property. If pigeons have already made a mess, we remove the nests, debris and droppings before we fit anything, so the bird proofing goes onto a clean surface.
Every building is different, so we don’t apply the same fix everywhere. A flat warehouse roof needs a different approach from a terraced home with gaps under the eaves, and most roofs need a mix of methods, because each one suits a different spot. We explain your options in plain English and give you a clear quote, and we only start once you’re happy. If you’re unsure which method you need, we’ll show you where the birds land and why, so you can see what each option protects. Depending on what we find, we might install:
- Bird netting: Covers larger areas, eaves and gaps where pigeons squeeze in.
- Bird spikes: Stop pigeons landing on ledges, sills and flat surfaces.
- Bird wire systems: Make parapets and roof edges uncomfortable to perch on.
- Bird-Free gel: Deters birds from settling on small ledges and awkward spots.
- Fix-a-net: Secures netting to your building where standard fixings won’t work.
- Solar panel proofing: Custom-cut mesh or skirting stops birds nesting under your panels without blocking airflow.
We don’t use poison or traps. Every method is humane and doesn’t harm the birds, in line with our mission of respecting nature while protecting your space. Our materials are weather-resistant and designed to blend into your roofline, so your property keeps its look. We aim to complete most installations in a single visit, which keeps disruption to a minimum. Once we’ve finished, we’ll advise you on maintenance and offer follow-up checks if you’d like them.
The benefits of bird-proofing your roof
Bird-proofing your roof pays you back, and you’ll see the results on your property and in your bills. Here’s what you’ll gain:
- A cleaner property: You’ll spend far less time scrubbing droppings off your paths, windows and cars, and your entrances stay tidy for visitors.
- A protected roof: Clear gutters, tiles and solar panels stay in better condition, which cuts your risk of damp and water damage.
- Lower repair costs: You stop paying for repeat cleaning, unblocking your drains and roof repairs, and those costs add up over the years.
- A better first impression: Customers and visitors see a clean, well-kept entrance instead of droppings and nesting material.
- A quieter home or workplace: The cooing and scratching above your head stop, so you can sleep in and work in peace.
- A lasting fix: Once we’ve fitted the bird-proofing, you won’t need to repeat the job every season.
- Peace of mind: You can stop checking the roof after every storm or spring, because you know the birds have nowhere to nest.
You’ll also keep your conscience clear. Our methods deter the birds without harming them, so you protect your space while respecting nature. Once the work’s done, you can look up at your roof and know the birds can’t move back in.
Why choose MSD Pest Control?
We’re a local Derby team and we look after homes and businesses across Derbyshire.
We’re licenced, insured and accredited, and we’ve helped hundreds of clients deal with bird problems quickly and responsibly.
We turn up on time, we’re easy to talk to and we treat your property like our own. Everything we do respects nature while protecting your space.
We’re happy to answer your questions before, during and after the job.
So, if pigeons have moved onto your roof, we’re here to help. Book a free site survey or speak to one of our friendly team about protecting your home or business. We’ll talk you through your options and give you a clear quote, with no pressure to commit. The sooner we start, the less damage the birds can do.