Jackdaws are a type of nuisance bird that can affect the effectiveness of solar panels. Like other nuisance birds, jackdaws are also drawn to solar panels since the underside of a solar panel offers a safe space to build nests and escape the elements.
With this in mind, how do you get rid of jackdaws underneath solar panels?
To get rid of nuisance jackdaw birds under solar panels, the installation of wire mesh along the sides of the panels is the best overall method. This prevents the birds from flying underneath a solar panel to nest. The use of bird spikes and other deterrents can also be considered.
Are you having problems with jackdaw birds nesting underneath your solar panels? This can be a cause for alarm for the panels, and it is best to allow a professional pest control, bird proofing service to handle the situation. We can perform this service, and also implement procedures and methods to prevent future jackdaw nesting under solar panels as well. Read on to find out more.
About Jackdaw Birds
The jackdaw bird is the smallest member of the family of birds known as crows. These rather small birds are quite common across all regions and terrains across the UK, and you can find them in major cities or the countryside.
Although not quite as much of a nuisance bird as pigeons or seagulls, the jackdaw does regularly mimic many of the same nuisance behaviors as these common pest birds, and nesting underneath solar panels is one of these nuisance traits.
Like ravens, a jackdaw can also be incredibly noisy, especially when the birds decided to make their nests on your roof or near your loft.
The jackdaw can also generate a great deal of guano and makes it a habit to consistently poop in many of the same spots over and over again, increasing the likelihood that the surface of structures will become majorly stained as time goes on.
Along with pigeons, the jackdaw is one of the most common nuisance birds to make nests underneath a solar panel.
This bird can also be quite aggressive when it feels as if it is being threatened or if its nest is being threatened.
Let’s take a look at jackdaw prevention methods.
How Do You Stop Jackdaws Nesting Under Solar Panels?
By far, having bird proofing wire that is cut on-site to ensure proper fitting is the best procedure for stopping these birds from nesting underneath the panels.
There are other procedures you can try, and here are a few.
Bird deterrents and visuals
Alternatively, you can implement some deterrents and visual repellents such as decoy owls or scare tape to place on your roof.
These decoys will scare these birds into thinking predators or human activity are present in the area.
Bird netting
A procedure known as bird netting can be stretched across rooves and voids and attached to stainless steel fixings and wire rope.
Installing bird netting is a highly skilled job as a well-installed bird net will be unobtrusive and will remain effective for many years.
Within a high-pressure area, bird nets are usually the only technique that can be guaranteed against determined birds. Bird nets with different size holes are also available for a number of different species.
This procedure can be dangerous when performed on a roof and may not immediately address the specific problem with jackdaw birds under solar panels.
Bird spikes and wire
You can also try bird spiking near your solar panels This method relies on the placement of steel wires shaped like spikes to be placed on ledges or perhaps areas immediately near a solar panel. But again, this will not directly address the birds nesting under solar panels.
Gels
Of all of these alternative measures to suggest, the placement of optical gels around the solar panels could potentially be the most effective behind bird-proofing solar panels.
Optical Gel appears to birds as fire and thus deters birds from landing when applied near a solar panel. This works by altering the bird’s behaviour and not acting as a barrier.
Left undisturbed optical gel can be effective for up to three years before replacement is required. Optical Gel is ideal where building aesthetics is a concern and can be used at any range of bird pressure sites.
Birds are fickle, unpredictable animals, so there is no guarantee that the birds will not become used to the appearance of the gel and simply ignore it when placed around a solar panel.
How Do I Get Rid of Birds Nesting Under My Solar Panels?
The process to get rid of jackdaws or any birds nesting under solar panels can be complicated. There are many procedures to try and some may work, but there are obvious dangers associated with implementing these methods on a roof.
Additionally, nearly any type of bird and its droppings as well as its nests are crawling with germs and pathogens that can make a person quite ill. Therefore, having bird proofing installed on a solar panel is the best overall method.
As mentioned, Solar panel bird proofing is far and away the best method to consider for removing nuisance birds from underneath solar panels.
At Malum Southern Pest and Bird Control, we will consult with you on the best way to jackdaw-proof your solar panels. This way we can agree on access and arrange any specialist equipment in advance.
Once onsite, we will remove any birds in the area and clean the area so that it is free from debris and potential parasites.
This procedure can sometimes be misunderstood, and it is important to know from the beginning that we do not have to lift or remove any solar panels in order to do this.
We will then treat the area for any secondary pest infestations and make sure that any leftover excrement does not corrode or damage the structure of your home.
As a final procedure, we will install some made-to-measure steel or galvanised mesh that effortlessly clips over the main structure of your solar panels and roof tiles.
This will prevent any pest birds from fluttering underneath and setting up a home.
Solar panels get the job done, and this will provide relief to your panels and home.
Does Bird Poop Affect Solar Panels?
Nuisance birds like jackdaws can cause large amounts of damage to any structures in which they choose to make their nests largely through pecking, scratching, and the staining residue of their poop.
Once birds have fully gained access underneath a solar panel, they can cause fires by suffocating the airflow of the wiring that is found underneath solar panels where they will likely choose to make their nest.
But perhaps worst of all is the corroding effect that their poop can cause.
Bird poop hardens as it dries, and this clump of excrement is almost always liquidy and easily spread all over any surface that it hits.
When a bird poops all over the top of a solar panel, this can affect the UV absorption rate at which the panel absorbs the rays of the sun that then transfers into energy through the wiring.
Bird poop may or may not void a warranty that comes with solar panel structures, so this can be another major cause of concern.
How Does Solar Panel Bird Proofing Work?
Solar panel bird proofing is a fairly simple pest control procedure that only requires some skill and patience to implement.
At Malum, we can address this problem in every scope and concern including, the removal of jackdaws, sanitation of the nesting area, and the installation of the best procedures for preventing access to the underside of your panels.
In most instances, the underside of the solar panels or even the top of the solar panels will need to be cleaned to ensure the panels continue working correctly and to ensure all pathogens and germs are removed from the area as well, which we will take care of.
After removal and cleaning, the use of heavy gauge wire mesh with solar mesh clips and metal cable ties is installed. In most instances, inch by inch in size or 25mm x 25mm mesh is attached all along the sides of the panels to completely prevent bird entry.
Rather it is stainless steel wire mesh, galvanised steel, or solar guards, we’ll recommend the best proofing method and material and most cost-effective solution for each individual project.
We always use non-penetrative proofing methods and we never drill into panels because this voids warranty.
Once we attach the mesh to each solar panel, the solar panel bird proofing procedure is finished, and jackdaws or any nuisance birds will now be unable to access the underside of the solar panels.
How Malum Pest & Bird Control Can Help
At Malum Southern Pest & Bird Control, we are available 24/7 to access your solar panels and remove jackdaws on your behalf.
Plus, if you have a tall house or a large commercial property, then Malum can affix jackdaw deterrents for you up to and including the installation of wire mesh to prevent the birds from accessing the underside of the panels.
By using the latest innovative technology, we can completely remove the birds, clean the area, and then get to work in preventing pigeons, jackdaws, and any birds from being able to access solar panels.
For more information and advice on keeping your panels free from nuisance birds, please contact us today for a friendly chat and a free, no-obligation quote.
