Nuisance Pigeons on Roof

mron

Hello

I live in a semi-detached house and my neighbour (who I share a roof with) has solar panels. Over the last year or two, a growing group of pigeons (about 30-40 now) have made it their home. Apart from being unsightly and smelly their 'waste' is making the gutters overflow and get blocked. 

Basically, I now have to go up a ladder (tricky because I live alone) and clear my side of the gutters out of the poo. I am sure you can realise that this is very unpleasant! Everyone locally asks why my neighbour doesn't do something about it.

I have had a word with my neighbour about it but he doesn't seem bothered by it so I am limited in what I can do. The tricky thing is that we share gutters too and the fall pipes are on his side meaning my water has nowhere to flow. When it rains the gutters overflow (sometimes including the poo etc) over the front of my property, it is a mess.

This is causing me a major headache and but I cannot really do much as the cause it is not on my property. Or can I?

I would love any recommendations on (a) how to deal with this and (b) is there anything that I can do to scare the pigeons off? - I am happy to spend some money on this.

Naturally I do not want to fall out with my neighbour if possible but he is not being helpful in this.

Many thanks.

Section62

mron said:

I have had a word with my neighbour about it but he doesn't seem bothered by it so I am limited in what I can do. The tricky thing is that we share gutters too and the fall pipes are on his side meaning my water has nowhere to flow. When it rains the gutters overflow (sometimes including the poo etc) over the front of my property, it is a mess.

This is causing me a major headache and but I cannot really do much as the cause it is not on my property. Or can I?

I would love any recommendations on (a) how to deal with this and (b) is there anything that I can do to scare the pigeons off? - I am happy to spend some money on this.

If there is no downpipe on your side of the boundary then the neighbour is not getting any roof drainage benefit from the shared gutter.

Investigate the cost of getting your gutter separated from the neighbour, installing a new downpipe (and surface water drain connection/soakaway as necessary).  If you are happy with the cost, inform the neighbour that you will be getting a builder to separate the gutters due to the pigeon poo/blockage problem. (you are also responsible for making sure the neighbour's gutter has a proper 'stopend' where the separation happens - e.g. on the property boundary)

The alternative is to add pigeon proofing to the solar panels.  That is a job for a professional - not just because of the safety issues, but also to ensure it is effective and does no harm to birds. If the neighbour isn't bothered to sort it out then you would have to be willing to pay them the full cost of getting it done.

Pigeon proofing involves physical measures to stop the pigeons using areas for roosting/perching/nesting.  Scaring devices will only work until the pigeons get used to them - which won't take long.

Getting the gutters separated is an outcome you have full control over. The other options (e.g. proofing) would require ongoing cooperation from the neighbour for maintenance/replacement.

mron

Section62 said:

mron said:

I have had a word with my neighbour about it but he doesn't seem bothered by it so I am limited in what I can do. The tricky thing is that we share gutters too and the fall pipes are on his side meaning my water has nowhere to flow. When it rains the gutters overflow (sometimes including the poo etc) over the front of my property, it is a mess.

This is causing me a major headache and but I cannot really do much as the cause it is not on my property. Or can I?

I would love any recommendations on (a) how to deal with this and (b) is there anything that I can do to scare the pigeons off? - I am happy to spend some money on this.

If there is no downpipe on your side of the boundary then the neighbour is not getting any roof drainage benefit from the shared gutter.

Investigate the cost of getting your gutter separated from the neighbour, installing a new downpipe (and surface water drain connection/soakaway as necessary).  If you are happy with the cost, inform the neighbour that you will be getting a builder to separate the gutters due to the pigeon poo/blockage problem. (you are also responsible for making sure the neighbour's gutter has a proper 'stopend' where the separation happens - e.g. on the property boundary)

The alternative is to add pigeon proofing to the solar panels.  That is a job for a professional - not just because of the safety issues, but also to ensure it is effective and does no harm to birds. If the neighbour isn't bothered to sort it out then you would have to be willing to pay them the full cost of getting it done.

Pigeon proofing involves physical measures to stop the pigeons using areas for roosting/perching/nesting.  Scaring devices will only work until the pigeons get used to them - which won't take long.

Getting the gutters separated is an outcome you have full control over. The other options (e.g. proofing) would require ongoing cooperation from the neighbour for maintenance/replacement.

Thanks for that, much appreciated.

I'd considered separating my gutter - the two challenges are that (a) I don't have a drain at my side and, more importantly, (b) the pigeons still roost on my side as it is so close so I still think they would fill the gutters with poo.

I had considered paying for it to be done but I am not convinced he'd let me and, if I am honest, I feel like its a problem he has a 'responsibility' to sort. I thought that perhaps he might have to keep his side clear being in control of the downpipe.

Any other advice from people much appreciated!

NSG666

Flying Hawk Kite Garden Bird Repeller Scarer Extendable With 4m Telescopic Pole 8852088805181 | eBay

or a gas gun like the farmers use?

Section62

mron said:

I'd considered separating my gutter - the two challenges are that (a) I don't have a drain at my side and, more importantly, (b) the pigeons still roost on my side as it is so close so I still think they would fill the gutters with poo.

a) As I mentioned, you would need to include the cost of creating an appropriate drainage option in the quotes you get. This won't necessarily cost more than the cost of pigeon proofing, and unlike proofing is a permanent solution with other benefits as well.

b) If the problem is that bad then the other option is to contact environmental health (but that won't improve your relationship with the neighbour)

mron said:

I had considered paying for it to be done but I am not convinced he'd let me and, if I am honest, I feel like its a problem he has a 'responsibility' to sort. I thought that perhaps he might have to keep his side clear being in control of the downpipe.

The larger problem is the need for ongoing cooperation and spend to keep the proofing effective. You could spend a lot on measures now, and be back to square one in a year or two.

In theory the neighbour has an obligation to maintain the gutter and keep it clear from blockages, although if your property originally had another downpipe then that obligation isn't necessarily absolute. The problem for you is enforcing your right to drain via his gutter - which may end up costing you more than just arranging your own separate drainage.

mron

NSG666 said:

Flying Hawk Kite Garden Bird Repeller Scarer Extendable With 4m Telescopic Pole 8852088805181 | eBay

or a gas gun like the farmers use?

That Hawk Kite is interesting, have you used it and did it work please?

NSG666

mron said:

NSG666 said:

Flying Hawk Kite Garden Bird Repeller Scarer Extendable With 4m Telescopic Pole 8852088805181 | eBay

or a gas gun like the farmers use?

That Hawk Kite is interesting, have you used it and did it work please?

Not used so I don't know but for 30 quid worth a try? Suppose you'd have to careful they didn't get used to it if it works.

mron

NSG666 said:

mron said:

NSG666 said:

Flying Hawk Kite Garden Bird Repeller Scarer Extendable With 4m Telescopic Pole 8852088805181 | eBay

or a gas gun like the farmers use?

That Hawk Kite is interesting, have you used it and did it work please?

Not used so I don't know but for 30 quid worth a try? Suppose you'd have to careful they didn't get used to it if it works.

I am tempted, it'll look strange for sure but I guess I might have to live with that.

Ectophile

I've had the pigeons evicted from under my solar panels.  They like to nest under there as it's sheltered from the weather and predators.  But that doesn't actually get rid of the pigeons, they just fly from roof to roof now.

kipsterno1

mron said:

NSG666 said:

Flying Hawk Kite Garden Bird Repeller Scarer Extendable With 4m Telescopic Pole 8852088805181 | eBay

or a gas gun like the farmers use?

That Hawk Kite is interesting, have you used it and did it work please?

There was one of these hanging from the corner of the Kippax stand at Maine Road to deter the pigeons from roosting on the terraces. 

Rosa_Damascena

mron said:

NSG666 said:

Flying Hawk Kite Garden Bird Repeller Scarer Extendable With 4m Telescopic Pole 8852088805181 | eBay

or a gas gun like the farmers use?

That Hawk Kite is interesting, have you used it and did it work please?

Are they any better than scarecrows?

I don't much like pigeons but I would like to credit them with a modicum of intelligence.