I've seen ultrasonic repellents used a few times on projects I've worked on, and honestly, results were pretty mixed. One homeowner swore they saw fewer birds around their roof after installing one, but another client said it made zero difference—birds still nested happily nearby. Could be down to the specific brand or how it's set up, I guess?
Mesh barriers definitely seem to be the safer bet overall, so good call there. But if you're really curious about ultrasonics, maybe try one that's not too pricey first and see how it goes. Worst case scenario, you end up with a slightly expensive garden decoration... ha. Either way, glad you're doing your homework and looking into multiple options. Always pays off in the long run.
Yeah, I've had similar experiences with ultrasonic repellents. They're pretty hit-or-miss in my opinion. One thing I've noticed is that the effectiveness can depend heavily on the layout of your roof and surrounding structures. If there's a lot of clutter or angles, the sound waves might not travel evenly, leaving plenty of safe spots for birds to nest comfortably.
Mesh barriers are definitely more reliable, especially if installed properly. I've seen homeowners try DIY mesh installations that ended up sagging or leaving gaps—birds are surprisingly persistent and clever at finding weak points. If you're going the mesh route, make sure it's secured tightly and covers all potential entry points.
Also, keep in mind that ultrasonic devices can sometimes bother pets or even neighbors' animals. Had a client whose dog got pretty agitated whenever the device was on, so that's another factor to consider before investing too much into ultrasonics.
I gotta say, those ultrasonic things are a gamble for sure. Bought one last summer thinking it'd save my wallet from the mesh route—ended up feeling like I'd installed a fancy bird nightclub instead. Pretty sure the pigeons were dancing to the beat up there.
Finally caved and went with mesh, but being the stubborn cheapskate I am, I tried doing it myself first. Looked easy enough on YouTube, right? Well... after spending a weekend dangling off a ladder and stapling mesh everywhere, I felt pretty accomplished—until I spotted two sparrows happily hopping through a gap I'd completely missed. Talk about humbling.
Ended up hiring pros to fix my mess (and my pride). Lesson learned: sometimes it's cheaper just to get someone who knows what they're doing from the start. At least I finally found roofers who didn’t laugh too hard at my DIY attempt!
You're definitely not alone in that DIY mishap. I've inspected plenty of homes where the homeowner proudly showed me their "bird-proofing," only to find nests tucked neatly behind the mesh or ultrasonic gadgets blinking uselessly. Honestly, those ultrasonic devices are more marketing gimmick than practical solution—birds and rodents seem to adapt faster than the technology evolves.
Mesh can work wonders, but the devil's in the details. One tiny gap, and you've basically rolled out the welcome mat. Hiring someone who knows exactly where to look and how to seal things properly can save a ton of headaches down the road. I get the appeal of DIY—saving cash, feeling accomplished—but sometimes the upfront cost of a pro is worth every penny.
Curious though, did your roofing company recommend any specific mesh or sealing techniques that stood out as especially effective? Always looking to update my own recommendations for clients.
Haha, ultrasonic gadgets...been there, done that, got the bird droppings to prove it. My roofer actually swears by stainless steel mesh—said birds can't chew through it and it's easier to mold into tricky spots. So far, so good...fingers crossed.
