Possums vs. Pigeons: What is Living Under Your Solar Panels?
You are lying in bed, and just as you are about to fall asleep, you hear it: a distinct scratching noise coming from right above your ceiling. Or perhaps you are woken up at the crack of dawn by the muffled sound of cooing and flapping wings.
If you have a solar system installed on your Sydney home, that 150mm gap between your roof and the panels is prime real estate for local wildlife. But how do you know exactly what has moved in? Let’s break down the telltale signs to help you determine if you are dealing with a possum problem or a pigeon infestation—and how to evict both of them permanently.
The Telltale Signs: Who is on the Roof?
Different animals have completely different daily routines and habits. Identifying the culprit usually comes down to the time of day you hear them and the type of mess they leave behind.
Sign 1: The Timing of the Noise
- Possums (The Night Shift): Possums are strictly nocturnal. If you hear heavy thumping, running, or loud scratching just after sunset or right before sunrise, it is likely a Brushtail or Ringtail possum leaving or returning to its nest under your panels.
- Pigeons (The Early Risers): Pigeons are diurnal (active during the day). If you hear constant cooing, light scratching, and the rustling of feathers right at the crack of dawn, you have a pigeon colony.
Sign 2: The Type of Mess
- Possums: Possum droppings are generally shaped like dark, elongated pellets (similar to a large rat). You might also find chewed wiring or heavily damaged roof tiles where they have tried to force entry.
- Pigeons: Pigeon guano is impossible to miss. It is white, grey, and highly acidic, caking onto your solar glass, roof tiles, and accumulating in your gutters alongside dry twigs and grass.
The Expert Insight: Dealing with Stubborn Invaders
Having bred and raced a 120-year-old bloodline of homing pigeons, I know exactly how strong a pigeon’s homing instinct is. Once they decide your solar system is their loft, they will not leave willingly. They will try to squeeze through any gap they can find.
Possums are equally determined, but they bring a different threat: pure physical strength and sharp teeth. They can easily rip down cheap plastic bird netting. Whether we are securing a roof in Schofields or Gregory Hills, this is exactly why we exclusively use heavy-duty, PVC-coated stainless steel mesh. It is strong enough to keep out the heavy-hitting possums and tightly woven enough to stop the relentless pigeons.
The Threat to Your Solar Investment
Regardless of which animal is living up there, the threat to your solar investment is severe. Possums are notorious for chewing through the delicate DC wiring that connects your panels, leading to complete system failures and dangerous electrical arcing.
Pigeons, on the other hand, build massive nests out of dry, flammable materials directly against hot electrical components, creating a severe fire hazard while their highly corrosive droppings eat away at your panel’s efficiency.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are possums protected in NSW?
Yes. Under the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Act, possums are protected native animals. They cannot be harmed or relocated far from your property. The only legal and effective way to deal with them is to allow them to leave the roof at night, and then professionally seal the solar panels so they cannot return.
Will solar panel mesh keep rats out too?
Yes. Our premium stainless steel mesh features precise 12mm openings. This is small enough to stop roof rats and mice from squeezing under the panels to chew your wires, while still allowing the necessary airflow to keep your system cool.
Evict Your Roof Tenants Today
Whether it’s pigeons, possums, or rats, we provide the ultimate physical barrier to protect your solar system and your peace of mind.
Call Sydney’s #1 Experts at 0468 433 829