Birds pecking the rubber roof

[Aorobie]

ok the black birds (ravens?) have taken a likeness to my tpo rubber roof. Have no less than twenty 1" to 2" holes. I'm currently patching them up. Any ideas mild or wild to combat these flying pest?

[busterbrown]

This is the first I've heard of a bird attack on an RV roof. I've see several land on mine at campgrounds but never experienced a pecking disturbance. Don't have a solution to offer but hope the damage isnt to severe.

[Ken / Claudia]

I don't know either, just adding I had crows pull off the rubber wiper blades on a pickup. 1 was missing when I walked up finding them pulling the second off. I never found the 1 they took. If they had gotten the second and left before I caught them. I would have blamed the thief to humans.
Owl decoys worked at beach house and near spa deck at home to keep birds from pooping all over the decks. Not sure they keep crows, black birds or ravens away.

[bobbecky]

I have read that it isn't a good idea to wash your rubber roof with a soap that has a fruity smell, as it will attract birds. I have never had an issue with this problem, but I rarely wash our roof.

[ingram]

I have recently had a red bird that likes to land on the bumper of my pickup, sees his reflection, and proceeds to "fight" it by flinging himself against the tailgate, all the while, relieving himself. A neighbor of mine suggested I get a rubber toy snake and put it on the bumper. I just draped a couple of tie down straps across it. Problem solved. I wonder if you put a couple on the roof if that would work?

[OldMasterTech]

Did you observe any ants or other insects in or around the areas they were pecking?

[Ddubya]

I have seen crows and vultures completely destroy vinyl boat seats but have not heard anything about RV roofs. Pretty scary.

[spade117]

I have recently had a red bird that likes to land on the bumper of my pickup, sees his reflection, and proceeds to "fight" it by flinging himself against the tailgate, all the while, relieving himself. A neighbor of mine suggested I get a rubber toy snake and put it on the bumper. I just draped a couple of tie down straps across it. Problem solved. I wonder if you put a couple on the roof if that would work?

I was at a campground a few months ago and noticed that quite a few of the vehicles had plastic bags wrapped around the mirrors on either side of the vehicles. Apparently, the cardinals see themselves in the mirrors and try fighting themselves and get their poop all over the doors of the vehicles. Not sure if it happens only at that time of the year, but a few of the people I spoke with said it happens every year they are there.

[Ken / Claudia]

I forgot about snakes. Seen them used unknown how well they work. On a dock in the river there is an about 10 ft alligator. It keeps birds and seals away.

[KeithInUpstateNY]

I found hawk decoys work better than owl decoys at keeping the woodpeckers away from the siding on my cabin. Haven't had a problem since I put up one in each side. Depends on what the natural predator is of the species you are trying to get rid of I suspect.

[travelin texans]

Had cactus wrens perforate my stinky slinky a couple years ago while wintering in Arizona & pretty sure it wasn't due to a fruity smell. Fortunately it was only on the top side so wasn't a huge mess.

[Roger H.]

I have a 2019 outback and I've been having the same problem with crows pecking our roof.
This has been going on since we purchased our travel trailer.
I've tried fake owls, and rubber snakes and nothing is working.
The crows pecking holes from 1/4 inch up to 3 inches, they also pecking the polyurethane caulking as if it were bubblegum.
It has now become a reoccurring maintenance issue.
In the last four years we have accumulated over 65 patches.

[sourdough]

I have a 2019 outback and I've been having the same problem with crows pecking our roof.
This has been going on since we purchased our travel trailer.
I've tried fake owls, and rubber snakes and nothing is working.
The crows pecking holes from 1/4 inch up to 3 inches, they also pecking the polyurethane caulking as if it were bubblegum.
It has now become a reoccurring maintenance issue.
In the last four years we have accumulated over 65 patches.


Wow! I'd be "eliminating" some crows. That's a lot of damage (and expensive) for them to do to your trailer.

[jasin1]

I have a 2019 outback and I've been having the same problem with crows pecking our roof.
This has been going on since we purchased our travel trailer.
I've tried fake owls, and rubber snakes and nothing is working.
The crows pecking holes from 1/4 inch up to 3 inches, they also pecking the polyurethane caulking as if it were bubblegum.
It has now become a reoccurring maintenance issue.
In the last four years we have accumulated over 65 patches.

try this maybe…mount it to the top of the ac unit while in storage with a removable mount..or use the dicor roof sealant to mount/glue the base to the roof. maybe one on each end of the trailer https://www.birdbgone.com/repeller-360/

[ss0073]

OK, after seeing the condition of my (previously) perfectly sealed and waterproof roof, I did a quick search and it brought me here. I actually registered so I could post pictures of the damage caused. I will be thinning out the numbers with some #7.5 shot this spring. This is out of control. The ravins actually pecked the plastic cover apart on my roof top AC unit, and then destroyed the aluminum cooling fins, along with multiple holes in the roof membrane. Pulled insulation out of the roof, and it looks to me like they went through anyplace there was metal underneath, especially screw heads. Yes, I have the culprits on game camera stills.

[sourdough]

OK, after seeing the condition of my (previously) perfectly sealed and waterproof roof, I did a quick search and it brought me here. I actually registered so I could post pictures of the damage caused. I will be thinning out the numbers with some #7.5 shot this spring. This is out of control. The ravins actually pecked the plastic cover apart on my roof top AC unit, and then destroyed the aluminum cooling fins, along with multiple holes in the roof membrane. Pulled insulation out of the roof, and it looks to me like they went through anyplace there was metal underneath, especially screw heads. Yes, I have the culprits on game camera stills.


Ouch!! Welcome to the forum but sorry to see that damage.

Have you thought about making an insurance claim? That is a lot of damage. And yes, I would invite a few friends to try out a few boxes of 7 1/2s. Birds are pretty smart; a few days of repeatedly ambushing them and they tend to look for greener pastures - if you can discharge a gun where you are. A fellow down the road from me uses what I was told (I've not seen it) is a propane "cannon". He has a fairly large pecan orchard and the crows love pecans. They are placed around the orchard and randomly discharge....seem to do a pretty good job.....they all come down here. :facepalm:

[Gkri]

OK, after seeing the condition of my (previously) perfectly sealed and waterproof roof, I did a quick search and it brought me here. I actually registered so I could post pictures of the damage caused. I will be thinning out the numbers with some #7.5 shot this spring. This is out of control. The ravins actually pecked the plastic cover apart on my roof top AC unit, and then destroyed the aluminum cooling fins, along with multiple holes in the roof membrane. Pulled insulation out of the roof, and it looks to me like they went through anyplace there was metal underneath, especially screw heads. Yes, I have the culprits on game camera stills.
If you are in Perkiomenville, PA, we are almost neighbors. I better keep an eye on our trailer. Happy Hunting!

[ss0073]

Ouch!! Welcome to the forum but sorry to see that damage.

Have you thought about making an insurance claim? That is a lot of damage. And yes, I would invite a few friends to try out a few boxes of 7 1/2s. Birds are pretty smart; a few days of repeatedly ambushing them and they tend to look for greener pastures - if you can discharge a gun where you are. A fellow down the road from me uses what I was told (I've not seen it) is a propane "cannon". He has a fairly large pecan orchard and the crows love pecans. They are placed around the orchard and randomly discharge....seem to do a pretty good job.....they all come down here. :facepalm:

I have not yet with the insurance. I just saw this yesterday and all but went postal. The trailer is at my property upstate, went there to do some yote hunting and saw all the shrapnel on the ground....obviously I was inquisitive, so after climbing on the roof, that is what I came across. I can shoot till I run out of ammo where I am, so I can promise the count will start this weekend :whistling:

As far as the cannon, my buddy was telling me the same thing. Hook it up to a propane BBQ tank, set a timer, and it goes off on the set time. Friend of his used one for geese.

Something needs to be done....

[ss0073]

If you are in Perkiomenville, PA, we are almost neighbors. I better keep an eye on our trailer. Happy Hunting!

We certainly are, know the area well. Have a good friend over on Orvilla Rd. This didnt happen in the area, this was at my property upstate in Wayne, Co...so hopefully, you are safe.

Not sure what they were attracted to, but it certainly seemed like they wanted the metal. I cant get Eternabond off to save my life, but they went right through it everyplace a screw was under. The seam at the front and back where the aluminum meets the rubber roof, and obviously the AC.

[jasin1]

looks like the birds were looking for something…possibly a squirrel has been hiding nuts around the ac unit?……either that or someone is throwing bird seed on your trailer or bugs are up there crawling around

edit: I wasn’t aware that some birds are attracted to shiny things but you would think more story’s of damaged ac units would be reported…i like the squirrel theory lol

[ss0073]

looks like the birds were looking for something…possibly a squirrel has been hiding nuts around the ac unit?……either that or someone is throwing bird seed on your trailer or bugs are up there crawling around

edit: I wasn’t aware that some birds are attracted to shiny things but you would think more story’s of damaged ac units would be reported…i like the squirrel theory lol

Not exactly sure whats going on. Im in the middle of 150 acres, surrounded by 6300 acres of game lands. I have cameras all over, and not one person on camera. Deer, coyotes, and the ravens. I was just up on the roof in November before Thanksgiving giving it a look over before hunting season, saw nothing unusual. No nuts, seeds, etc. Some small branches and leaves. Cleaned it all up with leaf blower. All the metal, except AC condenser, is covered in white of some sort. I just dont get it.

[jasin1]

I wish you luck figuring it out..reminds me of this post from years ago.. https://www.keystoneforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=18188

where i live we have seagulls that pick up clams and drop them on my pier and sometimes my boats to break them open for a meal

[GlasNav]

I wish you luck figuring it out..reminds me of this post from years ago.. https://www.keystoneforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=18188

where i live we have seagulls that pick up clams and drop them on my pier and sometimes my boats to break them open for a meal

Seagulls are also infamous about standing on small boat radar domes and pecking holes in the fiberglass. Nothing to eat, just destructive!

[notanlines]

ss, I might want to look into this unit at $110.00 to start with: Bird-B-Gone Super Sonic Bird Repeller — Model# NTIB50. The reviews are good as is the warranty.
A middle of the road propane cannon is about $600.

[ss0073]

I wish you luck figuring it out..reminds me of this post from years ago.. https://www.keystoneforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=18188

where i live we have seagulls that pick up clams and drop them on my pier and sometimes my boats to break them open for a meal

Wow! Im not putting this on record, but that woodpecker would disappear for sure.

[ss0073]

Seagulls are also infamous about standing on small boat radar domes and pecking holes in the fiberglass. Nothing to eat, just destructive!

Funny you say that. Happened to 2 boats in my marina. After seeing it, I throw a piece of netting that I put about 200 zip ties and cut sharply on an angle on my t-top. Easy to remove when I use the boat. Wont scratch the fiberglass and keeps them from landing on the dome.

[ss0073]

ss, I might want to look into this unit at $110.00 to start with: Bird-B-Gone Super Sonic Bird Repeller — Model# NTIB50. The reviews are good as is the warranty.
A middle of the road propane cannon is about $600.

I saw that mentioned in another post. Going to look at it. Thanks!