Solar Panels and Pests: Are Rodents Nesting in Your Investment?

The Unexpected Risk to Your Solar Setup

Florida homeowners are embracing solar energy like never before. It’s a smart move—lower electric bills, reduced environmental impact, and long-term home value. But as more households install rooftop solar panels, a hidden issue is starting to catch people off guard. These energy systems can unintentionally invite pests.

What many don’t realize is that the space beneath solar panels creates the perfect hideaway for rodents, birds, and squirrels. Tucked out of sight, this quiet, shaded area offers exactly what pests look for: protection from predators, weather, and daily human activity.

At Pest Away Exterminators, we’ve seen an increase in pest issues that start on the roof and work their way inside. If you’ve gone solar—or plan to—it’s time to consider how to safeguard that investment from the uninvited guests nesting just beneath it.

Why Solar Panels Attract Pests in Florida

Rooftop solar panels don’t just attract sunlight. In the Florida climate, they also attract animals. The panels are elevated slightly above the roof, creating a narrow but appealing space that’s often warm, dry, and hidden from view.

Birds like pigeons or starlings see it as ideal nesting territory. Squirrels and rats may squeeze in to escape heat or rain. And once pests make themselves at home, they rarely stop there. They can expand to the attic, gutters, or inside wall cavities, bringing with them a host of problems.

Florida’s environment amplifies the issue. Tall trees, humid conditions, and long periods of warmth make rooftops and shaded areas especially attractive. Nesting behavior increases seasonally, particularly during spring and fall, making year-round vigilance even more important.

Even if your solar panels are newer or high off the ground, they still create enough space for pests to settle in unnoticed. That’s why roof-level pest inspections are a smart addition to any home maintenance plan.

Signs You Have Pests Nesting Under Your Solar Panels

It’s not always easy to tell what’s going on above your roofline, but there are subtle signs that may point to hidden pest activity. You might notice debris like sticks, feathers, or leaves appearing around your driveway or gutters. These are often from birds nesting above.

Unusual noises from the roof—especially scratching or gnawing sounds—can suggest that rodents or squirrels have moved in. These sounds tend to happen in the early morning or at night when pests are most active.

Droppings around the perimeter of the house, or staining on siding near the roof, can also signal a larger issue. In some cases, homeowners notice a drop in their solar system’s efficiency. While this isn’t always pest-related, it can be a clue if wiring or ventilation is blocked or damaged.

When these signs appear, it’s time to get a full inspection—not only to address the immediate problem but to assess if pests have migrated into other parts of the home, such as the attic or eaves.

The Hidden Dangers: What Rodents and Birds Can Damage

The space beneath solar panels may seem harmless, but once pests move in, the damage can escalate quickly. Rodents are especially destructive. They chew wiring, insulation, and even support materials. If they find entry points into the home itself, the issue compounds as they gnaw through walls or contaminate storage areas.

Birds bring different issues. Their droppings are acidic, and over time can corrode surfaces and encourage mold growth. Nesting materials block water drainage and trap moisture against roofing materials, leading to rot or staining.

Both birds and rodents increase fire risk when they interfere with electrical components. And since these pests often go undetected for long periods, the damage accumulates silently until it's expensive to fix.

Regular inspections help catch these risks early, especially in vulnerable areas like rooftops and upper eaves. A proactive approach is far more affordable than replacing wiring, panels, or sections of your roof.

What Are Solar Pest Guards and Do They Work?

While not every homeowner installs them, many turn to pest guards as a preventative measure. These barriers are designed to close off the space between solar panels and the roofline, keeping pests from crawling underneath.

Pest guards are typically mesh-based, allowing for airflow and drainage while blocking access to animals. They aren’t intrusive and don’t affect the performance of the solar panels when installed properly. More importantly, they help maintain the long-term health of your roof by preventing nests, chewed wires, and clogged drainage paths.

Homeowners often seek advice on pest guards after experiencing a problem or when adding solar to an older home. While guards can’t undo past damage, they’re a good future-proofing strategy for those living in pest-heavy regions like Florida.

If you’re unsure whether you need a guard, a general pest inspection can identify risk factors and areas of concern. Catching problems early makes all the difference.

Pest Away Exterminators’ Approach to Roof-Level Pest Risks

Our inspections at Pest Away Exterminators don’t just focus on ground-level pests. We know that many infestations begin on rooftops or along upper eaves and work their way down. That’s why a thorough inspection includes these high-risk zones.

When evaluating a home, we look for telltale signs of bird or rodent nesting—debris buildup, chew marks, stains, or droppings. If a rooftop pest issue is detected, we offer safe removal options and targeted deterrents to help prevent reinfestation.

Even if solar panels aren’t the starting point, we recognize they can quickly become part of the problem if left unchecked. Our goal is always to help homeowners eliminate current infestations while identifying areas where pests may be gaining access in the future.

Roofline and attic-level activity often signals a more advanced issue, which is why we recommend acting quickly when sounds, smells, or debris become noticeable.

Final Thoughts: Protect Your Solar Investment the Smart Way

Going solar is one of the best investments a Florida homeowner can make—but it’s important to protect that investment from above and below. Rooftop pests aren’t just annoying; they can cause real damage to your home’s structure and energy system.

You don’t have to wait until something breaks or shorts out. Regular inspections, especially of rooflines and attic spaces, help you catch problems early and avoid costly repairs. Preventative measures like pest guards or exclusion techniques add another layer of defense.

At Pest Away Exterminators, we believe that effective pest control is about seeing the whole home—not just the areas within reach. If you suspect that pests may be nesting in hard-to-see spaces, let us take a look. Protect your home, your roof, and your energy investment with a plan that leaves no area unchecked.