Your home or business is your sanctuary, a place of comfort and security. Unfortunately, sometimes uninvited guests – wildlife – can turn that sanctuary into a source of stress and potential damage. Two common culprits we often encounter are pigeons nesting under solar panels and bats roosting in attics or walls. While both are natural parts of our environment, when they move into our structures, they require careful and professional management.
The Problem with Pigeons and Solar Panels
Solar panels are a fantastic investment, reducing energy costs and environmental impact. However, the space underneath the panels offers an almost perfect habitat for pigeons: shelter from predators and the elements, and a sturdy base for nesting.
Why is this a problem?
- Reduced Efficiency: Pigeon droppings and nesting materials can coat panels, blocking sunlight and significantly reducing their energy output.
- Corrosion and Damage: Pigeon droppings are highly acidic and can corrode roofing materials, panel mounting hardware, and even wiring over time. Nesting debris can also clog gutters and impede water drainage.
- Health Hazards: Pigeon droppings can harbor bacteria, fungi (like Histoplasma, which causes histoplasmosis), and parasites (like bird mites) that pose health risks to humans.
- Noise and Mess: The constant cooing and activity, plus the unsightly mess of droppings and feathers, can be a major nuisance.
The Solution: Solar Panel Pigeon Proofing
The most effective solution is installing a physical barrier specifically designed for solar panels. This usually involves:
- Cleaning: Thoroughly removing all nesting materials, debris, and droppings from under the panels.
- Installation: Fitting a durable, weather-resistant mesh or barrier system around the perimeter of the solar array. This prevents pigeons from accessing the underside while still allowing crucial airflow to keep the panels cool.
Important Note: This installation should ideally be done by professionals experienced in working with solar panels. Improper installation could damage the panels, void warranties, or fail to keep the birds out.
Understanding Bat Exclusion
Bats are vital to our ecosystem, consuming vast quantities of insects nightly. However, when a colony decides to roost in your attic, eaves, or wall voids, problems arise.
Why is bat presence in structures an issue?
- Guano Accumulation: Bat droppings (guano) can accumulate rapidly. Large amounts can saturate drywall, wood, and insulation, causing structural damage and persistent, unpleasant odors.
- Health Risks: Guano can foster the growth of Histoplasma capsulatum spores, which, if inhaled, can cause the lung infection histoplasmosis. While rare, bats can also carry rabies, a serious disease transmitted through bites or scratches. Never handle a bat yourself.
- Noise: Bats entering and exiting, especially at dusk and dawn, along with colony noises, can be disruptive.
The Solution: Humane Bat Exclusion
Due to the ecological importance of bats and the legal protections they often have (especially during maternity season), eradication is not the goal. Instead, professionals perform humane bat exclusion:
- Inspection: Identifying all entry and exit points the bats are using (often tiny gaps – bats can squeeze through openings as small as 3/8 inch).
- Installing One-Way Devices: Placing special exclusion devices over the primary exit points. These allow bats to leave but prevent them from re-entering. Minor entry points are sealed simultaneously.
- Waiting Period: Allowing sufficient time for all bats within the structure to leave naturally through the one-way doors.
- Sealing and Repair: Once it’s confirmed all bats are out, the exclusion devices are removed, and the final points are permanently sealed using appropriate, long-lasting materials. Any damage caused by the bats may also be repaired.
- Cleanup (If Necessary): Professional removal of accumulated guano may be required, often involving specialized safety gear and disposal methods due to health risks.
Crucial Considerations:
- Timing: Bat exclusion cannot be performed during the maternity season (typically late spring to late summer, varying by region and species). Sealing adults out during this time would trap flightless young inside to die, which is inhumane and often illegal.
- Legality: Many bat species are protected. Always work with a wildlife control professional knowledgeable about local regulations.
Why Professional Help is Essential
Dealing with both pigeons under solar panels and bats in structures requires specialized knowledge, tools, and safety precautions.
- Safety: Working at heights (roofs, ladders) and potential exposure to diseases require proper training and safety equipment.
- Effectiveness: Professionals know bird and bat behavior, how to identify all potential entry points, and use the correct, durable materials for exclusion.
- Legality & Ethics: Reputable companies understand and adhere to wildlife laws and humane treatment standards.
- Protecting Your Investment: Incorrectly installing solar panel barriers or improperly sealing a home can lead to damage, voided warranties, or ineffective results.
Take Action
If you suspect pigeons are nesting under your solar panels or bats have taken up residence in your building, don’t wait for the problem to worsen.
