Guano clearance along the Sussex and Hampshire coast
On this stretch of coast, a bird problem is rarely just pigeons. Feral pigeons roost in warehouses, under canopies and on ledges, while gulls nest on flat roofs and chimneys above them. Both leave droppings and nest material that can build up on roofs, block gutters and foul the areas below.
We clear guano and nest debris safely, clean and disinfect the area, and take the waste away with full paperwork. We work across Chichester, Brighton and Hove, Worthing, Portsmouth, Gosport and Fareham, and can work nights and weekends.
Pigeon guano removal: before and after
Business parks and industrial estates
| Area | Sites |
|---|---|
| Fareham | Segensworth, Solent Business Park at Whiteley and the Cams Estate |
| Gosport and Lee-on-the-Solent | Fort Brockhurst Industrial Estate and the Solent Enterprise Zone at Daedalus |
| Portsmouth | Voyager Park at Hilsea and Railway Triangle at Farlington |
| Chichester | Terminus Road and the estates on the edge of the city |
| Worthing | Dominion Way and the estates off the A27 |
| Brighton and Hove | Hollingbury and the estates at Portslade |
Most of these sites have the same kinds of problem:
- Warehouse roofs: guano on steelwork, lighting and racking tops, which we clear from MEWPs, one zone at a time. See high level cleaning.
- Loading bays and canopies: fouling where staff and drivers walk, which we can clear overnight so the bay is ready in the morning.
- Flat roofs and plant: gull nests and droppings around rooftop plant, vents and solar panels.
- Gutters and outlets: nests and debris that stop water draining away, which can lead to leaks. See gutter cleaning.
Dealing with gulls as well as pigeons
Gulls need more care than pigeons, because the timing matters so much. Adur and Worthing Councils say all birds, their eggs and their nests are protected. They also say gulls begin breeding in April, start to nest in early May and may become aggressive from April to September while raising their young.
In practice, that means:
- Plan roof work outside the nesting season if you can: autumn and winter are usually the best times to clear a roof and fit proofing.
- Survey in good time: we check for active nests first, and plan around what we find.
- Prepare for the next spring: the councils say proofing is probably the most effective means of control, so it’s worth fitting it before the birds come back.
Older buildings in Chichester, Portsmouth and Brighton
Droppings can do real damage to older buildings. English Heritage says they’re corrosive and can damage stone, as well as lead, zinc and copper. Bath and North East Somerset Council’s guidance for historic buildings adds that nesting debris can block gutters and roof drainage.
If your building is listed or in a conservation area, speak to your local council before work starts, because cleaning or fixing proofing may need consent. We’ll agree the method with you and try it on a small, discreet area first.
Keeping birds off the roof
We’ll recommend what suits the building and the birds that are using it, as netting that works for pigeons may not suit gulls, and flat roofs need a different approach from ledges. Our guide on how to stop pigeons roosting explains the options. See also our bird proofing service.
How a guano clearance works
- Free site survey: we check which birds are there, how much guano there is and how we’ll reach it.
- Written plan: you get a fixed quote, plus risk assessments and method statements.
- Clearance: the area is closed off, and we remove the guano with dust control, in full PPE.
- Disinfection: surfaces are cleaned and disinfected.
- Paperwork: you get photos, a work report and waste transfer notes.
Accredited, insured and documented
Locus is SafeContractor-accredited, Constructionline Silver and a BICSc corporate member, and our operatives hold IPAF and CSCS cards. We’re registered with the Environment Agency as a waste carrier (CBDU320327).