How do you stop pigeons roosting on a commercial building?
Take away the places they land, roost and nest. Pigeons settle where there is shelter and a ledge, beam or roof space to sit on, usually with food nearby. Bird proofing closes off those spots: netting blocks whole areas such as roof spaces, canopies and loading bays, while spikes, post-and-wire and bird slopes stop birds landing on ledges.
Proofing works best as part of a plan: survey the building, clean off the guano, check for active nests, fit the right method in each spot, and keep it maintained. Removing food sources helps too.
Why do pigeons keep coming back?
Feral pigeons live alongside people and rely on us for food. Where there is plenty of it, they gather in large numbers. They nest in sheltered spots on buildings and can breed at any time of year, raising up to 7 broods of two eggs each (English Heritage).
That’s why killing or removing birds rarely solves the problem for long. Other birds move in to fill the gap, and the ones left breed more successfully. English Heritage’s advice is that prevention is the only long-term solution that has proved effective (English Heritage).
On commercial sites, pigeons are usually found:
- on window ledges, parapets and signs;
- under canopies and in loading bays;
- on beams, roof trusses and racking inside warehouses with open doors;
- in roof spaces, plant rooms and gaps under roof sheets;
- on solar panels and rooftop plant.
What should a bird proofing survey look at?
Every building is different, so the first step is to find out where the birds are and what they’re doing there. A survey should cover:
- Which birds they are. Pigeons, gulls, starlings and sparrows each need a different approach, and netting mesh is sized to the species.
- Roosting or nesting. A ledge used for resting needs a different answer from a roof void full of nests.
- How many birds, and how long they’ve been there. A long-standing roost usually means a heavy build-up of guano to clear first.
- Access. Netting under a warehouse roof or along a high parapet needs the right access equipment and a safe way of working at height.
- Whether the building is listed or in a conservation area (see below).
Netting, spikes or wire: which works where?
Most buildings need more than one method. Netting stops birds getting into an area at all; the other methods stop them landing on a particular surface.
| Method | Best for | How it works | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Netting | Roof spaces, canopies, loading bays, courtyards, recesses | A barrier birds can’t get through | Holes or loose edges let birds in and can trap them |
| Spikes | Window ledges, signs, beams, pipes | Leaves birds no room to land | Too few spikes, or guano and debris building up between them |
| Post-and-wire | Ledges, parapets and copings where looks matter | Sprung wires stop birds standing on the edge | Wires need to be kept taut |
| Bird slopes | Flat ledges and beams | An angled surface birds can’t perch on | Fixing and finish on older stonework |
| Electric track | Ledges where other methods would be seen | A low-profile strip that gives perching birds a small shock | Needs a power supply and regular checks |
| Repellent gel | Small, awkward spots | Birds dislike landing on it | Needs topping up, and sticky gels can trap small birds |
| Scarers | Short-term support only | Noise, movement or decoys | Pigeons soon get used to them |
Bird netting
Netting is the most complete answer where birds are getting into an area: the underside of a warehouse roof, a loading bay canopy, an internal courtyard or the valley between two roofs. Fitted properly, it shuts the birds out altogether rather than just moving them along a ledge.
The mesh size matters. If it’s too large, birds get through or become trapped in it; if it’s too small for the species, birds can nest on top of it (Bath & North East Somerset Council). Netting comes in different colours to blend in with the building, and with a UV-resistant coating it can last up to about 20 years (Bath & North East Somerset Council).
Bird spikes
Spikes are the most familiar deterrent. They stop birds landing on ledges, sills, signs and pipes by leaving no room to settle, rather than injuring them. They work when enough of them are used to cover the whole surface; spikes fitted at low density, or around parapet walls, are generally ineffective (Bath & North East Somerset Council). Guano, leaves and nesting material can collect between the spikes, so they need clearing from time to time.
Post-and-wire
Post-and-wire systems (also called sprung wire) use thin stainless steel wires held taut between small posts along the edge of a ledge. Pigeons tend to perch on leading edges, and the springy wire stops them standing there. It’s discreet from the ground, which makes it a good choice for ledges, parapets and copings on a building’s main elevation (Bath & North East Somerset Council).
Slopes, electric track and gel
Bird slopes fit over flat ledges and beams so birds slide off. Electric track is a low-profile strip used where spikes or wire would be seen. Repellent gel suits small, awkward spots, but it needs topping up and sticky gels can trap small birds, so it’s rarely the first choice.
What about scarers and fake birds of prey?
They rarely work against feral pigeons, which are used to people and noise. Plastic owls and hawks rarely work either. Real birds of prey (falconry) can be effective, but only if they’re flown regularly (English Heritage).
What does the law say?
Feral pigeons are wild birds, protected by the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. It’s an offence to intentionally kill, injure or take a wild bird, to take, damage or destroy its nest while it’s in use or being built, or to take or destroy its eggs.
Bird proofing itself is legal; the law matters most at the moment it’s fitted:
- Check for active nests first. Pigeons can breed at any time of year, so there may be eggs or chicks behind the area you want to net.
- Don’t trap birds. Before netting is closed or a gap sealed, check that no birds are left inside.
- Feral pigeon nests and eggs can be removed in England under Natural England’s general licence GL41 to preserve public health or public safety. It can be used by the owner or occupier, or someone they authorise, and its conditions have to be followed. The current licence runs to 31 December 2026. Wales and Scotland have their own licences.
- Other species are different. Starlings, sparrows and swifts nest on buildings too, and some birds have extra protection. Bats are protected as well, so netting must not block access to a bat roost (Bath & North East Somerset Council). If either is likely, get advice from an ecologist first.
Can you bird proof a listed building?
Yes, but plan it with the building’s fabric and appearance in mind. Listed building consent may be needed, and planning permission too. Speak to the council’s conservation officer, or ask for pre-application advice, before work starts (Bath & North East Somerset Council).
On historic buildings, the same council guidance recommends:
- fixing pins into mortar joints rather than drilling the stone;
- stainless steel fixings and wire, because ordinary steel corrodes and stains;
- a flexible mastic rather than a hard adhesive where fixings are glued;
- glued-on spikes where possible, because they can be removed without damage;
- keeping netting off the front of the building and choosing a colour that blends in.
What happens before proofing goes in?
- Survey: where the birds are, which methods suit each area, access, and any listing.
- Check for nests and birds: active nests are dealt with lawfully, and no birds are shut in.
- Clean and disinfect: guano and nesting material are removed before anything is fitted. Fixings and adhesives need a clean surface, and droppings left behind are still a health risk. See our guides on pigeon guano risk assessment and what pigeon guano is and why it’s dangerous.
- Install: netting, spikes, wire or other methods, fitted to suit each area.
- Check and maintain: an inspection after installation, then regular checks.
How long does bird proofing last?
Properly fitted spikes and wire last around 10 years, and UV-coated netting up to about 20 years (Bath & North East Somerset Council). Badly fitted proofing won’t deter birds and can damage the building.
To keep it working:
- inspect netting for holes, loose edges and trapped birds;
- clear guano and debris from between spikes and from netting;
- re-tension wires and replace damaged sections;
- recheck after building work, new signs or new rooftop plant, which can create new ledges.
What else stops pigeons settling?
Proofing works best when pigeons have less reason to visit. English Heritage advises discouraging staff and visitors from feeding birds, especially around outdoor eating areas, and checking that birds can’t get into roof spaces and outbuildings (English Heritage). On a commercial site, that also means:
- bins and skips with lids that are kept closed;
- clearing spilled food, grain or packaging around loading bays;
- keeping roller shutters and high-level doors closed when not in use.
How Locus Services can help
Locus Services carries out bird proofing on commercial and industrial buildings across the UK, using netting, spikes, bird wire, slopes and other deterrents, alone or in combination. Before installing any proofing, we clean and disinfect the area as part of our pigeon guano removal service, so birds aren’t drawn back to the same spot.
Our operatives are trained in guano removal and safe work practices, comply with roof access regulations, and wear full PPE including suits and respirators. We plan work on listed and sensitive buildings to protect their structure and appearance. We offer a free site survey to recommend the right methods for your building.
