We have a love/hate relationship with birds and other animals when it comes to gutters and roofing fixtures like solar panels. On the one hand, we love watching animals in their natural habitat and celebrating them as part of our environment. On the other hand, they tend to really enjoy holing up and nesting in parts of our roofs and roofing attachments that they really shouldn’t be in. Not only is it frustration for us (for reasons listed below), but it can result in dangerous situations for the animals too. So, if you’ve been dealing with a few unwanted pests under and around the solar panels on your roof, here’s why you should have vermin mesh installed ASAP.
Why is it important to make solar panels vermin proof?
As mentioned above, one of the main reasons we suggest households vermin proof their solar panels, is because it can be dangerous for the animals. Birds, possums and other pests can often find themselves stuck under the panels, leaving them to sadly die without food or water. On this point, and another reason to install vermin mesh, a dead animal on the roof will often attract scavengers like ants and generally ends up creating a smell that can often waft into the house.
When birds and other animals live and nest under and around solar panels, on roofs and in gutters, it’s not just the animal itself that you’ll find there. Nests are often made of sticks, twigs, dry grass and other materials that are highly flammable, creating a fire hazard on top of the home. These other materials brought onto the roof when animals nest in solar panels can also become dislodged and roll or be carried on the wind into the guttering system, causing blockages that can lead to serious damage to the home and/or gutter.
It can also cause damage to the solar panels themselves. Droppings are acidic in nature and, if left to build up on solar panels, can lead to discolouration, corrosion and can block the sunlight, reducing the effectiveness and lifespan of the panels.
Disease Carried by Birds
The final reason on our list today, though there are a few more, is that birds and animals like the ones that nest under solar panels often carry diseases, mites and other parasites that can make their way into the home, affecting the health of residents, guests and household pets.
When you take a look at all the reasons listed above, one word comes to mind: expensive! To avoid having to fork out your savings for solar panel, gutter or even house repairs, and to avoid health related bills, we definitely recommend looking into a protective mesh for your solar panels as soon as possible.
What kind of birds nest in solar panels and why?
The main types of birds and other animals you’ll find nesting under solar panels are…
- Pigeons
- Sparrows
- Mynas
- Starlings
- Possums
- Mice and rats
Most of these creatures are considered ‘pests’ or ‘vermin’ and are generally introduced species’. They carry diseases, make huge messes and tend to be quite loud. These pests will generally be happy to nest anywhere suitable, making it easy for them to settle in somewhere new when they’re relocated.
The main reason these animals and birds choose to nest under solar panels is because of the shelter they provide from the harsh sun, winds and rains of our Aussie climate.
How to bird proof solar panels with vermin mesh
When it comes to keeping birds out of solar panels, the best way to effectively do so is with a certain type of mesh, often referred to as ‘gutter mesh’ or ‘vermin mesh’.
First, the animals or birds must be removed from under the solar panels and relocated. Then, the area under the panels where the creatures were nesting should be thoroughly cleared (if feasible). Once this is complete, the vermin mesh is fitted around any gaps that could be used to enter the area below the panels and secured firmly in place. When the mesh is in place, if installed correctly, there should be no way for birds to access the solar panels again, making it vermin proof for years to come.
We always suggest going through a professional vermin mesh installation service, like what we offer here at Leafbusters®, rather than trying to DIY something like this. A team of professionals can assess your panels and surrounding roof, identify any problem areas that should be focused on, select the right type of mesh for the job and quickly and safely carry out the installation.
You’ll also find that the mesh used by a professional provider is of a much higher quality than those found at Bunnings or other hardware stores. It will usually be strong enough that it can’t be gnawed through or broken by animals or birds and may offer other handy benefits as well. To see a few examples of quality mesh, visit our Leafbusters® gutter mesh collection and have a quick read.
If you’d like to speak with one of our friendly mesh installation technicians, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. We’re always happy to help!
Call us on 1300 GUTTER now (1300488837)
