Pigeons nesting under my panels

Rheumatoid

I think the fact that the Pigeon is dead may be a fairly long-term solution but I am not sure you are allowed to do it.

You used to be able to with a licence but don't think that is the case any more:

https://www.cornwalllive.com/news/shooting-pigeons-banned-natural-england-2795545

Exterminator

Just come across this thread while looking for something else, as it's been running for several years and as a Professional Pest Controller I thought I'd give my view.
As far as shooting them is concerned, you can do using this licence which is free for all (Just found out I can't post a link, so Google 'General Licence GL35')
You still have to be careful though, a stray shot could damage your panels and if a pellet leaves your property boundary you will be breaking the law. I'm talking firearms law here and the powers that be will not be smiling when they turn up on your doorstep!
Even if you successfully shoot them you'll just be waiting for the next lot to show up.
My advice is to pigeon proof your panels, use some galvanised weld mesh and go all the way around, provided you don't leave any gaps bigger than 50mm the pigeons won't get in.
Better still pay someone who knows what they're doing, I do several of these each week and it rarely costs more than £350, including cleaning the gutter.
In my opinion that's a reasonable price to ensure no more droppings, eggs, young, dead birds or blocked gutters, not to mention the noise in the early hours!

theboylard

Hi Ex,


where are you based, as most of the outfits near me are guesstimating at twice your price!


Any references?

Exterminator

I am in Nottm, take a look at expelpest co uk ( can't post links, add the www and the .'s yourself)

Travel to Corby and back will add another £120 or so and unless we need hired in access equipment, that's it!
I can usually quote using a couple of pics of the property showing ladder access points and then a quick look using Google Earth.
References - Having stuck my neck out on here, I wouldn't dare do anything other than a good job. This is the last place you would want your reputation trashed.
Email for further contact is info expelpest co uk ( as above, add an @ and two .'s)

Mnd

That's an excellent price..I think we paid 720

Reed_Richards

There was an item on Radio 4 about this at around 12:35 today. Some poor woman had been quoted £4,000 to fix her pigeon problem and they then brought in an expert who refused to admit that this was blatant over-charging. Really poor quality journalism!

Hexane

Reed_Richards wrote: »

There was an item on Radio 4 about this at around 12:35 today. Some poor woman had been quoted £4,000 to fix her pigeon problem and they then brought in an expert who refused to admit that this was blatant over-charging. Really poor quality journalism!

Specifically this was "You and Yours", 12:18pm today (40 minutes long) on BBC Radio 4. Titled "Gambling gagging orders; Tofu; Electric cars" and the relevant item contents were described as "Pigeons are a problem for people who have solar panels installed. We find out why they like nesting under them so much" and "What difference might the Government's £70m spend on rapid chargers make to the take-up of electric cars?" I've not listened to any of it because their website is crap.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0008bkc

The guilty parties are "Presenter: Peter White. Producer: Lydia Thomas". I hate incompetent journalism. Get rid of the license fee and put the money into a new Feed in Tariff scheme instead.

I think my installer charged me either £100 or £200 for anti-pigeon mesh, and fitted it for free (at time of install).

M0ney

My son got four nerf guns for Christmas, if I got this problem. I would be releasing the inner kids in me and putting them to the test. :-D

Cardew

Leepop wrote: »

We have Panels fitted by A Shade Greener and pigeons were nesting and cooing from very early morning to mid afternoon, Was driving me nuts!. We approached ASG and they said the work would cost £500+ for them to fit the mesh and another £500+ for them to get an external scaffolding company. Rip off merchants


:T

ASG or any Rent - a - roof company get nearly all the profit from the panels, and the average house owner would lose 8 to 10 years?? of their benefit if they charged over £1,000. IMO ASG should pay to fix the problem.



If any rent - a - roof company tried that tactic with some people, they might find their installation disconnected and if the company took legal action, challenge the company in court on the grounds that the system was 'not fit for purpose' or they have a duty of care.

mickyduck

re visiting this after quite a time.. still get them on the roof but when I hear them (or Susan does as Im deaf)I scare them away with wood banged against the soffit or gutter where they are which seems to work.. Not needed the long Karcher for a while but whenever I go away for a few days they try it on!