Birds such as pigeons and seagulls aren’t confined to city centre monuments or coastal areas — they’re found almost everywhere. You can easily recognise them by their constant noise and familiar presence, but one of the most noticeable signs of their activity is the mess they leave behind. Bird droppings — or guano, to use the proper term — can cause significant problems for a variety of reasons.
It’s fair to say that the roof of your home is far more exposed to the elements than any other part of the property, enduring constant weathering — particularly in coastal areas like Plymouth. Unless we look up or view our property from a distance, it’s easy to overlook just how dirty and discoloured the roof has become over time. In many cases, we even forget what the original colour looked like or how much it has weathered.
Your roof also provides an ideal environment for algae to thrive. Think about how slippery and slimy your patio or decking can get when the combination of sun and rain creates perfect growing conditions — the same thing happens on your roof, often to an even greater extent. And it’s not just algae; moss can also take hold, as shown in the following photos.
The problem with guano is that it’s highly acidic. Because birds have very low water levels in their bodies to keep their weight down for flight, their droppings contain a high concentration of uric acid — that white, paste-like substance you often see. This acidity can cause significant damage to building facades, roofing materials, and even car paintwork.
Before cleaning up the mess, it’s important to first address the root of the problem — the birds themselves. Once that’s under control, the guano should be cleaned and safely removed, ideally by a professional bird mess removal company.
Bird droppings can carry and spread a wide range of diseases — including E. coli and Salmonella — with studies showing they can harbour up to 60 different pathogens. These pose serious health risks not only to humans but also to livestock. Once the droppings dry, fine particles can become airborne, easily carried by the wind into air vents and other openings.
If birds are nesting or roosting on your roof, their droppings can enter your chimney stack, roof space, or even inside your home. Breathing in spores or dust from dried bird guano can be extremely harmful, which is why proper cleaning and removal should always be carried out with care — ideally by trained professionals.
To effectively deal with the problem, you first need to identify and address the cause. Appropriate bird control measures must be put in place — but since it is illegal to disturb or interfere with active bird nests, it’s essential to call in qualified professionals.
We recommend Falcon Environmental Services for all bird control and bird proofing work. Once the issue has been resolved, the next step is to safely remove the bird mess, thoroughly disinfect and sanitise the affected areas, and ensure all traces are professionally cleaned away.
We provide a specialist bird mess removal service designed to eliminate all traces of bird droppings and thoroughly disinfect affected areas. Our team operates throughout Devon and beyond, and we’re always happy to travel to meet your needs.
If you’re dealing with a bird mess problem, don’t hesitate to get in touch — we’ll be more than happy to help.
📞 Call us on 01752 712439 or 07946 602786 to arrange a professional clean today.
