Birds are an essential part of our ecosystem. Not only do they give bird watchers hours of enjoyment. They also provide a musical for those who listen. And they’re good for neighborhoods, keeping insects at bay and spreading seeds to promote the growth of trees and flowers. But birds also bring challenges, especially when they start building roofing nests on your home!
Birds nesting on the roof lead to unsightly staining, but it can also be dangerous and damaging. The good news is that a few simple roof maintenance tips can help you keep birds from nesting where you don’t want them.
Can Birds Really Damage Your Roof?
In a word, yes. Birds can cause serious damage, particularly if you have birds that nest in the same location year after year. Nests can easily block water flow, causing rainwater to back up in gutters and under the roofing substructure. Their droppings are acidic and often damage asphalt shingles — something no homeowner appreciates!
Have Your Roof Inspected
First and most importantly, it’s a good idea to have your roofers inspect for damage and nest areas. If you know that birds have been nesting there, a roofers nest removal plan may be in order. Many residential roofing contractors can provide you with expert inspection services. Just search for “roofers near me” online. Or you can get in touch with us at Shamrock Roofing and Construction to schedule a free roof inspection and get started on regularly scheduled roof maintenance. Our assessment will help unearth any bird-related damage that needs to be addressed.
Here are a few tactics you can use to help keep birds from nesting on your roof.
Check for Food
Birds nest on residential roofs for two reasons: easy access to food and protection from the elements. One of the simplest things to do is to eliminate their food source. No, that doesn’t mean you need to rip out your garden or cut down your fruit trees. Installing bird netting over your garden area and around any fruit trees prevents birds from getting into the food supply. This makes your property less appealing to feathered foragers.
Bird Stops and Nets
If you’ve got starlings or pigeons making their homes under roof tiles or in your eaves, it’s time to think about something like bird stops or bird nets on your home. Bird netting sits just over the surface of your roof and prevents birds from getting to your roof in the first place. Bird stops are installed at the front of the tiles to prevent small birds from turning the tiny space into a nesting spot.
Bird Spikes
Birds can and will make their nests in your gutters at the edges of the roof. Bird spikes may be a solution to this challenge. The spikes don’t hurt the birds, but they are a good deterrent. The spikes angle forward and backward, preventing birds from accessing a clear space for nesting. They can still land and sit on the spikes, but they probably won’t stay long.
What If There’s an Active Nest?
If you have an active bird nest on the roof, leave it alone. Don’t prevent the parents from accessing it and feeding their young. Wait until the chicks have matured and the nest is empty. Then you can remove it and start installing your preventative measures. Not only is this the kinder approach, but many birds are protected under federal law, so it’s also the safest course of action. A well designed roofers nest control program may be in order and available in most of our areas.
Shamrock Roofing and Construction Can Help
If you’re searching for residential roofing contractors to conduct a roof inspection, install bird deterrents, or repair damage from nesting birds, Shamrock Roofing’s team of experts can help. We have years of experience with roofs in tree-filled Overland Park neighborhoods. We’ll help you keep the birds off your roof while still allowing you to enjoy the beauty of having them in your backyard! Contact us today for more information or to schedule a free roof inspection.