Bird nest deterrents: keeping your roof bird-free

What makes proofing useful?

The first thing I ask is where you've seen the birds enter or leave the roof. That gives us an actual route to inspect, rather than starting by choosing a deterrent.

No two buildings have the same access. Some have a gap that can be blocked practically. Others have many openings, so the amount of work and cost need discussing.

What do you normally use?

We generally use chicken mesh or chicken wire. The gap and roof structure determine the material and fitting. Other proofing options need assessing for that building, rather than assuming one product suits every roof.

Sometimes suitable filler is used alongside the mesh as part of the fitting. The structure and the gap determine that decision. What matters is dealing with the access being used and making clear which openings the agreed work covers.

What needs checking before a hole is closed?

We need to know where the nest is, whether it can be reached and whether birds are still using the space. Sometimes we wait until they've moved out naturally. Closing the birds inside isn't the plan.

What should the quote explain?

It should be clear what access can be dealt with, what work is practical and what remains outside the agreed scope. Larger proofing jobs need looking at before they can be priced.

Some roofs have so many entry points that full proofing becomes expensive. The client needs to understand the extent of the work before deciding. Closing a particular route and addressing every potential opening around a roof need different assessments, so the quote needs to make the scope clear.