Wildlife & birds
Bird control in Salt Lake City, UT
Pigeons lined up on the roof, starlings nesting in the dryer vent, droppings under the solar panels. Bird control is mostly about making the spots they use unusable.
Most active
- Spring
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Quick answer
Bird control in Salt Lake City usually means pigeons, European starlings and house sparrows: pigeons roosting on roofs, ledges and under solar panels, starlings and sparrows nesting in vents and eaves. We use exclusion rather than killing birds: netting, spikes, vent guards and solar panel mesh that make surfaces unusable. Droppings are cleaned up and nests removed from vents.
At a glance
- Best for
- Pigeons, starlings and house sparrows on homes and buildings
- Methods
- Netting, spikes, vent guards and solar panel mesh
- Approach
- Non-lethal exclusion first
- Result
- Surfaces birds can no longer roost or nest on
Overview
Make the spot unusable
Pest birds don't go away because they're scared once. They come back to the same ledges, vents and roof spaces as long as those spots work for them. Lasting control changes the surface so it doesn't.
That means netting to close off spaces like under decks or eaves, spikes and deterrents on ledges, vent guards so starlings and sparrows can't nest in dryer or bath vents, and clip-on mesh around solar panels so pigeons can't get underneath.
Nests are removed from vents and droppings cleaned up. Because most native birds are protected, the work focuses on pigeons, starlings and house sparrows, and it's non-lethal.
Your options
Bird control methods
| Method | Best for | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Solar panel mesh | Pigeons under panels | Needs a clean-out before install |
| Spikes and deterrents | Ledges, beams and signs | Visible on some surfaces |
| Netting | Eaves, docks and enclosed areas | Must be installed carefully to last |
| Vent guards | Starlings and sparrows in vents | Needs periodic lint cleaning on dryer vents |
Cost
What bird control costs
Priced by the area, the method and the access.
Method
Mesh, spikes, netting and vent guards differ in cost.
Area size
Linear feet of ledge or panel perimeter.
Height and access
Roofs and high ledges need ladders or lifts.
Cleanup
Heavy droppings add cleanup time.
Nest removal
Nests in vents and eaves removed first.
What it covers
Bird problems we handle
Pigeons on roofs and ledges
Spikes, deterrents and netting on ridges, ledges and beams.
Starlings in vents
Nests removed and vent guards installed on dryer, bath and kitchen vents.
Netting and spikes
Physical barriers that close off roosting and nesting spots.
Birds under solar panels
Clip-on mesh around the panel edge after cleaning out nests.
Do it yourself?
What you can do
What you can do today
- Keep bird feeders away from the house and roof.
- Cover dryer and bath vents with proper guards.
- Clean up spilled seed and food.
- Call early before nests build up under panels.
What to leave alone
- Removing nests of protected native birds.
- Using poisons or glue products.
- Cleaning heavy droppings without a mask and gloves.
- Blocking dryer vents with screens that trap lint.
How the visit goes
How bird control goes
Inspect
Identify the birds and where they roost and nest.
Clean out
Remove nests and droppings from vents, panels and ledges.
Install barriers
Mesh, spikes, netting or vent guards as needed.
Check
Make sure birds can't get around the barriers.
Maintain
Periodic checks for larger buildings.
Before we arrive
Before we arrive
- Note where birds roost and nest.
- Point out vents with nest material.
- Tell us about solar panels and their layout.
- Clear access around the house.
- Keep pets inside during the work.
- Tell us about bird feeders on the property.
- Point out areas with heavy droppings.
- Tell us about roof access.
Warning signs
Signs you need bird control
Sign 01
Birds roosting on the roof or ledges
Pigeons lined up along ridges, gutters and ledges every day.
Sign 02
Droppings building up
Droppings on shingles, walkways, patios and cars.
Sign 03
Nesting in vents
Nest material in dryer, bath or kitchen vents.
Sign 04
Birds under solar panels
Pigeons nesting under panels, with noise and droppings.
Sign 05
Noise at dawn
Cooing and scratching from the roof or vents early in the morning.
Salt Lake conditions
Pest birds and Utah rules
Utah rule R657-3b-9 treats house sparrows, European starlings and rock pigeons that damage property or create a health nuisance as nuisance species, but it requires non-lethal control to be tried first and all local, state and federal laws to be followed. Almost every other bird around a Salt Lake home is protected, which is why bird control here is built on exclusion: netting, spikes, vent guards and panel mesh that move birds on without harming them.
If you're not sure what species is nesting, we identify it before touching any nest.
Sources: law.cornell.edu
Wildlife work is mostly exclusion hardware and trapping; product lines like these cover the rodents and insects that follow.
- Protecta
- Contrac
- Temprid
- Tempo
Timing
How long bird control takes
- InspectionUsually part of the first visit.
- InstallationMost homes are done in a single visit.
- First weeksBirds try the old spots and move on.
- OngoingLarger buildings benefit from periodic checks.
Take away the perch
Birds come back to spots that work. Barriers that make those spots unusable are what last.
Call (801) 516-0135Pigeons roost under rooftop solar panels.
FAQ
Bird control questions from Salt Lake homeowners
Still unsure? (801) 516-0135 is answered around the clock.
We focus on exclusion, making surfaces unusable so pigeons move on. Utah rules require non-lethal methods first.
The space under panels is sheltered and warm. Clip-on mesh keeps them out.
Heavy buildup can carry disease risks, so cleanup is done with protective gear.
No. Most native birds are protected. We identify the species first.
No. They just prevent landing.
Vents are warm, sheltered spots. A proper vent guard stops them.
Yes, including docks, ledges and signs.
Related services
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From the Pest Library: What pest control costs in Salt Lake City
Talk to us
Birds on the roof or in the vents?
Call now to make those spots unusable. A real person answers any hour.
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