Pigeon Proofing Around Rooftop Plant Equipment

Feral pigeons were nesting and roosting on a roof plant compound in Manchester, finding shelter around the air handling equipment and near the intake fans.

Nurture Pest Control, a Nurture Group company based in Hampshire, was called in to stop the pigeons from gaining access and help protect the equipment from fouling and potential damage.

Since there was plant equipment on the roof, bird netting was a good way to block off the space without affecting how the area worked. The challenge was fitting the netting around all the existing equipment.

Working Around the Equipment

The team installed three 10-metre sections of PestFix 50mm black bird netting, using 7x7 strand wire rope, NF159 clamps and copper ferrules to create the supporting framework.

Putting up the netting was not straightforward. The team had to work around the existing equipment, including a flue, and make sure there were no gaps where pigeons could get back in.

When one section of netting came up slightly short, the team found a simple on-site solution. They installed an additional cross cable and patched the netting to close the gap, keeping the enclosure secure and the installation on track.

The team also added mesh panels along the side of the compound to ensure the whole area was properly protected.

Cleaning Up

With pigeons regularly using the area, there was also fouling, nesting material and debris to deal with.

Before handing the area back over, the team used Pest Clean Disinfectant Concentrate as part of the clean-up. Designed for areas affected by pest activity, Pest Clean can be used to treat animal droppings and contaminated surfaces, helping to disinfect the area before and after waste is removed.

"Overall, the products supplied by PestFix provided a secure and discreet bird-proofing solution, despite the challenging access and existing roof plant."

Chris Woollam
UK Bird Control Manager, Nurture Group

The Result

Two members of the Nurture Group team completed the job over three days.

The finished system is a long-term barrier that keeps pigeons out but lets the plant compound keep working as usual. With the problem areas protected and the site cleaned, the compound is now in much better shape for future maintenance and access.