How to Get Rid of Pigeons On The Roof

Your roof is one of the most important parts of your home, so keeping it protected is bound to be a priority.

While regular maintenance and professional inspections should take place from licenced roofers, another problem that some homeowners in the UK experience is the presence of pigeons.

The domestic pigeon is a bird that is extremely prevalent here in the UK, with these birds common in all areas of the country. Also regularly seen in our city and town centres, pigeons count as vermin and this means they can cause significant damage if they become attracted to your house’s roof or decide to roost there.

While they are commonly referred to as flying rats, pigeons are protected by British law and it’s actually illegal to kill or injure them. Even professional pest control services can only cull pigeons in very specific circumstances, so it’s important to know how to get rid of pigeons on a roof properly.

In this article, we’ll explain how you can get rid of pigeons and stop them from returning.

Read on for more…

Why Are Pigeons Attracted To Roofs?

It’s not uncommon to see pigeons or other birds sitting on the roof of a domestic property, but if they settle there permanently it can become a big problem.

There are several reasons why pigeons are attracted to roofs. This includes:

Food: Like many birds, pigeons are opportunistic feeders who are always seeking a new meal. They’re drawn to urban areas as there is more food and water in these places. Discarded food, outdoor pet food and litter are more prevalent in these areas and if pigeons know there is food in the area then they may decide to roost on roofs to make the most of these regular meals.
Safety: Pigeons are tasty prey for other birds, like owls, as well as mammals such as cats. With this in mind, they may settle on roofs for safety reasons and to provide them with a high vantage point where they can spot these predators. Plus, they may fly up to roofs to escape from pest control companies or homeowners who are trying to remove them.
Nesting: Many domestic roofs feature handy nooks, corners and crevices that neatly mimic natural cliffs and edges where pigeons would typically nest in the wild. This means they may be attracted to roofs as they provide the perfect nesting conditions.
Warmth: During the colder months of the year, pigeons will look for a warm place to rest. Roofs are great environments for this as the warmth from your home can insulate the birds from the cold weather. If your roof has solar panels installed then additional warmth and shelter is provided.

What Damage Can Pigeons Cause To A Roof?

Pigeons can cause various types of damage to a roof or your wider property. This is especially the case if they have nested or are roosting in your home for extended periods.

Here is a list of common issues pigeons can create:

Clogged gutters: Pigeon droppings, feathers and nesting materials can accumulate in gutters leading to blockages. This may cause water to overflow, damaging the roof, walls and the foundation.
Roof damage: The droppings of pigeons are acidic, and over time they can corrode roofing materials including metal, shingles and even tar-based roofing. This can reduce the longevity of your roof and cause you to need costly repairs.
Water damage: When gutters become clogged by pigeon debris, water can pool on the roof potentially causing leaks, rot and mould growth in the roof’s structure and ceilings.
Tile displacement: Sometimes, pigeons can displace or loosen tiles or shingles as they move around or attempt to build nests. This can lead to damage such as water leaks or roof degradation.
Nesting damage: Pigeons like to nest in crevices, eaves and chimneys, and their nesting materials can block chimney flues, creating fire hazards and ventilation issues.

As well as the issues outlined above, pigeons may cause health issues, attract other pests and may ruin the aesthetics of your property.

How To Get Rid Of Pigeons From A Roof

Trying to remove pigeons from your property can be challenging, and you may struggle to know where to start. Remember, killing pigeons is illegal so you must only use humane methods to deter them.

Some things you can try to get rid of pigeons on a roof include:

Remove Food Sources

Pigeons are scavengers are will eat almost anything. They are also extremely opportunistic, and any discarded food will be very welcoming to them. Make sure there is no litter in your garden or at the front of the property that may attract them, keeping your surroundings clean and with no food remnants left behind.

You should also keep all bins closed and not allow them to overflow.

Install An Ultrasonic Pigeon Repellent

Pigeons have an excellent sens of hearing and they can pick up sounds that us humans would not notice.

You can buy ultrasonic systems on line that emit loud, unpleasant noises that scare pigeons away. This might also include sounds made by predators and installing these systems is always worth a try. Often, a pigeon will not return to an area if it thinks a predator is present.

Use Scarecrows

The use of scarecrows have been used by farmers for years to stop birds attacking crops.

They can also be an effective way to deter pigeons.

Installing scarecrows in your garden may scare pigeons away, but using decoy predators, like owls, may be even more effective. These days, you can get extremely realistic models of owls that may even include rolling eyes and rotating heads to really spook the pigeons.

Block Nesting Spaces

If you’ve noticed that pigeons seem to be regularly nesting on your roof, you can try and make these areas as undesirable as possible. Pigeons like to nest on flat surfaces so installing spikes or blocking these spaces will make it difficult for the pigeons to nest.

Eventually, they may give up and try somewhere else.

Use Pigeon Repellent Gels

You can use repellent gels to try to deter pigeons.

Typically, pigeons dislike such gels and by installing them on your roof it will cause them to stick to the birds if they do land. They will likely find this unpleasant and fly off somewhere else.

Plus, these gels are not toxic so you don’t need to worry about them causing harm to you or the pigeons.

Install Bird Reflectors

Light can also cause pigeons trouble, and they hate it when it is reflected into their eyes.

You can hang bird reflectors on your roof which, when the wind blows, will cause a combination of light patterns and loud sounds to occur that will make it uncomfortable for any pigeons in the vicinity. Usually, this will mean the pigeons will vacate the area.

Get Rid Of Bird Baths

While bird baths are a stylish addition to a garden and a great way to attract diverse wildlife to your outdoor space, they can also act as a magnet to pigeons. If you have a bird bath in your garden and are also struggling with a pigeon problem, you should consider getting rid of it or at least placing it in storage until the problem has been solved.

Consider Pigeon-proofing Your Home

There are several pigeon-proofing techniques you can try to make your roof as undesirable as possible to these birds.

This can include covering open vents, capping chimneys, blocking access to the roof and other methods. However, this is easier said than done.

Use Water Jets

Many homeowners have sprinklers or water jets in their gardens that can be used in the summer months to keep lawns looking their best.

They can also be used to deter pigeons. As soon as they enter your garden or land on your grass, the jets can be activated which causes the pigeons to be scared and fly away.

Typically, these devices will come with various settings that can change the motion and intensity of the water.

Trap and Release The Pigeons

You can try to trap the pigeons that are damaging your roof and release them far away from your home.

Traps can be purchased online, assembled and set up. Place some bait in the trap and wait for the pigeons to trap themselves. Then, take the pigeons far away from your home, at least five miles, before releasing them.

This DIY method of trapping pigeons can be tricky and time-consuming though.

Consult A Professional Pest Control Company

If you feel like you have exhausted all of the other options or want a quick solution to your pigeon problem, consider a professional pest control company.

Usually, these professional companies will have access to techniques that you may not be able to use on a DIY basis.

This includes:

Bird netting: The use of nets to protect roofs, fascias and other structures from birds. They can be used across an entire building if necessary.
Bird spikes: A piece of equipment that can be installed anywhere on a flat surface and prevent pigeons from landing or nesting.
Bird wire: Often seen at churches, these wires are used to stop pigeons from settling.
Electric deterrents: Systems that give birds that land a small electric shock to scare them away.