The roof of your home is often part of the house that you think about the least, but it is also the most important. If you have an issue with your roof it could cost a lot of time and money to sort out.
Having birds nesting in roofing can be a big issue for any home-owner.
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Game and fowl have highly acidic droppings, these droppings can also be known to cause problems on people's cars, corroding the paint away. Bird droppings can encourage moss and algae to grow on your roofing material, which can in turn cause damage.
Nest materials, feathers, food, and the animals themselves, can cause blockages in guttering and drains, resulting in water build-up and can block key ventilation areas for your home.
Having a bird deterrent is the best way to protect your roof from these creatures and the havoc they cause.
In this article learn how to make sure that the animals in your roof aren't costing you any expensive or long-term issues. Know how to stop birds from nesting in the roof and your eaves, with spikes, deterrents, caps, and more, and know what to do if protected species are nesting in your roof.
How to stop birds nesting in the roof
During nesting season birds will seek out an area they deem safe, secure, and warm to create their home. Depending on the species of birds the requirements differ.
Once a bird has made its home on your roof, nests, feathers, and droppings have also made a home on your roof.
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However, birds' habitat has been reducing for years thanks to new homes, shopping centres, roads, and warehouses being built in what was once shrublands. Urbanising once rural areas is going to take its toll on the wildlife. So naturally, birds will look for the next best solution for their nests. Places which are high up, with easy access to water, food and protected from predators, wind and rain. Roofs.
Birds building their nests among your roof tiles on between the eaves of your roof can cause no end of damage. How to stop birds nesting in the roof is a common question asked by home-owners. Roofing tiles can fall off, break or shift in high winds and rain, leaving small nooks and crannies for a bird to nest in. Bird stoppers for roof tiles can prevent birds nesting in the roof when the tiles have moved and left openings.
However, there are cost-effective ways to prevent birds from nesting on your property.
Chimney Caps:
If you have a disused chimney, an alternative to bulky, and unattractive, bird guards is a chimney cap, these caps prevent the build-up of damp, while still keeping the birds from building a nest in your roof.
This solution is simple and easy to install and should protect the inside of your chimney for birds and their droppings.
Comb Fillers:
Some smaller species, such as sparrows, starlings, and swallows like to nest in small holes and cavities, these are often found in occupied buildings.
These birds will often make their way into the roof via small gaps in the roofing tiles, bargeboards, trims, and flashings or fascia. Using Comb fillers, act as roof tile guards, are one-meter strips to block any potential openings for starlings, sparrows, and swallows.
Eaves Guard:
The eaves are the part of the roof which overhangs over the side of the building between the roof and the exterior wall. The areas underneath the eaves are left unprotected and provide a welcoming shelter and space for birds to build their nests. An Eave guard removes the space between the wall and the roof, removing any opportunity for the birds to nest.
Bird Spikes:
Install a bird spike, while they sound ominous and potentially harmful to birds, these spikes are in fact an effective and humane solution to deter birds from landing on your roofing sheets, roof tiles, or shingles and causing damage. Simply attach the bird spikes to the eaves or ledges of your roof and the birds will be deterred from nesting.
Predator Deterrents:
Installing a fake owl on the top of your roof can be a deterrent for birds nesting in the roof. Owls and other birds of prey are a predator to smaller birds, and having a replica upon your property will stop birds nesting. Decoys such as snakes, hawks, eagles, as birds fear of a predator is instinctive not learnt, and will refuse to nest somewhere deemed unsafe for them or their young. Adding a sound to the makeshift bird can add an extra level of protection if a bird looking for a nesting spot hears the sound of a larger animal they will steer clear.
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Nesting season for most birds tends to be around early April through to May, so if any nests do need to be taken care of, it is recommended to clean out the nests, and block the opening before migrating birds return.
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If any of these effective solutions sound perfect for your roof please do contact us.
What if birds have already nested in your roof?
If birds have already landed and nested on your roof or roof tile it's a good idea to read up on any protection orders before taking action.
Protected by the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981, it is considered an offense to destroy an active nest or prevent any parent birds from returning to their chicks.
If birds are nesting then it is advised that you wait until the winter to move the nests, when the birds are likely to have migrated.
Thoroughly check that all birds have migrated before sealing any entries to the nest. Remove all mess, sticks, feathers, and moss from the nest to remove any further damage to your house.
Birds such as sparrows and swallows will migrate south for the winter and will return the next year, whereas pigeons will remain in their nests all year. To ensure that your roofs and tile is kept intact and to stop birds such as pigeons, or returning migrated bird species from nesting again on your roofs. Clean out any holes and seal them, preferably in the morning to ensure that any remaining birds are out, just in case they are still returning to the nest.
Setting up a nest in your garden can also help to attract birds away from your roof, giving them an alternative safe place to live away from your house and keeping your roof tile safe.
How to ensure your roof is protected from birds Conclusion
If you do have birds nesting in your roof, while this may be an annoyance, it is important to read up and understand what can be done. As stated above, it is illegal to disturb or remove any active nests, however, if roofing repairs are urgent, alternative nests must be created, in a safe, secure environment for the birds to return to. Once birds are safely removed/ taken away from the nest, by a licensed or authorised person.
Rather than having to deal with an active nest, preventative nesting strategies are encouraged, so birds do not settle in your roof. The above bird deterrents can help to steer birds away from your roof.
Ensuring that no welcoming openings, gaps or holes are found upon your roof, those which are there are covered using the methods mentioned above, to deter birds from the roof.
Another way to make sure that holes and broken shingles or tiles do not affect your roof is by installing roofing sheets. Steel sheeting gives complete coverage, is attractive and is available in a range of colours for your choice.
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When trying to deter any bird from your roof tiles, creating an alternative bird home for them in your garden can protect your roof but still encourage them to visit your garden.
Cladco offers steel roofing sheets, in a variety of profiles, including tile which could help you with any birds in roof problems you may have. Cladco tileform roofing sheets have the appearance of clay tiles, without the individual tile, so no holes or loose clay will create inviting openings for birds.
If you would like further information about Cladco Roofing or bird deterrent please do contact us on [email protected] or calling us on 01837 659901 or alternatively, visit our website for more information, about how our roofing products could discourage any feathery roofing squatters. We have a range of profiles, finishes, and colours to choose from.