First: Don't Pull It Out or Seal It In
If you've found a nest under your panels, resist the urge to rip it out or block the gap straight away. Depending on the species and whether the nest is active, it may be protected, and blocking the gap with birds inside traps them.
What To Do
- Take a photo from a safe spot, if you can do it without climbing onto the roof
- Note what kind of birds you're seeing come and go
- Send us a quote request with the photo
Feral Pigeons vs Native Birds
Feral pigeons are an introduced species. Native birds, and their active breeding places, can be protected under Queensland law, and removing or tampering with a breeding place used by a protected animal may need specific approvals.
Bird exclusion and nest-removal work is subject to applicable Queensland wildlife laws. Protected native wildlife and active breeding places may require specific management or approvals. Where necessary, work may be postponed or referred to an appropriately authorised wildlife professional.
How We Handle It
Before any exclusion work, we assess what's under the panels. Where removal is permitted, accessible nesting material and debris are cleared and the area is cleaned and sanitised. Then the mesh is cut to size, clipped on without drilling and the corners fixed together. Mesh is never installed in a way that traps birds underneath.
Why Removal Alone Isn't Enough
Clearing the nest doesn't close the gap, so birds can return to the same spot. A mesh barrier around the array is what blocks access. See solar panel bird proofing.
Common Questions
Can you remove a nest from beneath my solar panels?
It depends on the bird species and whether the nest is an active breeding place. Queensland wildlife protections may apply, so the situation is assessed before any removal or exclusion work proceeds. Feral pigeons are an introduced species; native birds and their active breeding places can be protected. Where necessary, work may be postponed or referred to an appropriately authorised wildlife professional.
Can I just clear the nest out myself?
We don't recommend it. It means working on a roof around live solar equipment, handling droppings and nesting material, and the birds may be protected depending on species and nesting status. Clearing the nest also doesn't stop birds returning to the open gap.
What happens to the pigeons after the panels are meshed?
With the gap closed off, they have to look for somewhere else. Mesh is never installed in a way that traps birds underneath. Any birds or nesting are assessed first.
How much does solar panel bird proofing cost?
Every job is quoted individually. The price depends mainly on the length of exposed panel perimeter, plus the panel layout, number of arrays, roof height, access and pitch, and how much nesting and clean-up there is. See what affects the price. Quotes are free and there's no obligation.
Pigeons Getting Under Your Solar Panels?
Stop repeatedly dealing with the mess. Get a free bird-proofing quote from a Townsville-based solar service team.
Free quote · No obligation