Bird Management

Bird droppings and nests are a menace to many types of roofing materials, so it is ideal to get rid of them whenever possible, or implement some type of management or deterrent at the very least.

Why are creatures that sing us awake in the morning and brighten our days so bad for roofs?

Acid in the Droppings

Bird droppings contain a high amount of acid which has a nasty habit of eating through many roofing materials — particularly asphalt and tar-based roofing systems. As the droppings accumulate they will eventually dig deep into the material leaving your substrate vulnerable to wind and weather. The acid can also damage cooling systems and eat through vents, compressors, skylights, solar panels and more. Last but not least, bird droppings eat through most kinds of paint — on your home or building, your car and even through stained concrete.

Nesting Bird

While it is great to hear and see baby birds, bird nests are also a menace. They clog gutters which causes the drainage system to backflow and pool on roofing materials. They also tend to pose a nasty fire hazard in the dry season. Finally, bird nests are notorious for blocking ventilation systems, and your roof system does need to have air circulation to prevent condensation and other problems.

Commercial Challenge

In warehouses, loading docks and storage areas, as well as garden shops and big box stores like Home Depot and Lowe’s, bird pose another challenge. Not only do their droppings pose a hazard to shoppers or workers inside the store, but also to the merchandise. Plus, if there are any food items stored or for sale, the birds will attack the packaging and ruin products.

Birds Be Gone

So how do you get rid of unwanted birds without killing these beautiful creatures? Humans have come up with all kinds of deterrents that don’t harm the birds but persuade them that your roof, gutters and merchandise are off limits.

• Sound deterrents — Birds are sensitive to sound, so the recorded sound of a predator triggered by movement can keep them away from your home or business. Wind chimes, and things that clang or bang can also drive birds away.
• Movement — Birds are naturally wary of things that move, so the more things that dangle or move the more likely the birds are to stay away. Try things like spheres that flash light or strips of metal that twist in the wind.
• Sprays and Gels — there are sprays and gels that make your property and unpleasant place for birds to reside. It alters the taste of potential food so they’ll generally find another place to live.
• Netting and Covers — Gutter guards are a great way to keep birds from nesting in that convenient trench. Netting can cover your garden to deny them a food source.
• Spikes — Strips of spikes on window sills or favored nesting places don’t make good landing spots, so the birds will usually move on. You can protect lots of things using spikes that won’t mar the beauty of your property
• Slope — Slippery slopes are very difficult for birds to land on - they simply can’t get a grip and literally slide off. Bird slopes can be matched to the color of your property and attached to just about any ledge where birds would otherwise land.

In some cases a solution may be easily installed by a handyman or maintenance technician. However, should your actual roof be experiencing damage from birds, or you suspect you may have a problem developing, most professional roofing companies are familiar with such issues and will generally be your best resource to assist with an appropriate solution that is safe to use on your particular roof system.