Seasonal · 4 min read · Updated 6 November 2026

Roof cleaning, nesting birds and bats: the law and the best timing

Why wildlife law matters for exterior cleaning

Roofs, gutters, fascias and climbing plants are popular nesting places for house sparrows, starlings, swifts, house martins and other birds. Bats often roost under tiles, behind fascias and soffits, in gaps in walls and in loft spaces. Soft washing a roof or wall, and especially clearing moss and debris, can disturb them.

In England and Wales, the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 protects all wild birds, their nests while in use or being built, and their eggs. Bats and their roosts have stronger protection under the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017 as well. Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own equivalent laws.

The nesting season

The main bird nesting season in the UK runs broadly from March to August, though some birds nest earlier or later, and pigeons can nest at almost any time of year. Active nests must not be damaged or destroyed, and some species have extra protection against disturbance.

If in doubt, watch the roof for half an hour in the early morning or evening.

Bats in the roof

All UK bat species are protected. It is an offence to deliberately disturb, injure or kill a bat, or to damage or destroy a roost, even if bats are not in it at the time. Signs of bats include small dark droppings that crumble to dust, stains around gaps and bats seen emerging at dusk in summer.

If you know or suspect bats roost in your roof, get advice before work that could affect the roost, such as clearing gaps under tiles or working on fascias and soffits. The Bat Conservation Trust runs a helpline, and Natural England or the equivalent body in your nation can advise on whether a licence is needed.

Planning cleaning around wildlife

• Look for nesting activity before booking, especially from March to August
• Tell the contractor about any known nests or bats
• Leave active nests and a working buffer around them
• Avoid blocking gaps that bats or swifts use
• Consider scheduling roof work for autumn or early spring
• Keep a note of any wildlife advice you are given

Autumn is often a good time for roof soft washing. Most birds have finished nesting, temperatures are usually still mild enough for biocides to work and moss is easy to identify. Early spring, before nesting starts in earnest, can also work.

What a careful contractor does

A responsible soft wash contractor checks for nesting birds and signs of bats before starting, stops if they find an active nest and reschedules the affected area. They avoid spraying directly into gaps used by wildlife and take care around climbing plants. If they see signs of bats, they will usually recommend advice before continuing with work that could disturb a roost.

Swifts, house martins and gaps under the eaves

Swifts and house martins return to the same nest sites year after year, and both have declined sharply in the UK. Swifts nest in small gaps under tiles and eaves, while house martins build mud cups under the eaves. Even when these nests are empty in winter, it is good practice not to block access holes or remove nest sites unnecessarily. Some owners fit swift boxes or house martin cups when replacing fascias and soffits.

If fascia or soffit replacement is being planned alongside cleaning, check for nest sites and bats first. Sealing up gaps between autumn and spring is the time when wildlife is least likely to be affected, but bat roosts remain protected all year.

Plants and other wildlife

Climbing plants such as ivy and Virginia creeper on walls also provide nesting sites and should be checked before cleaning. Ponds below walls and roofs should be covered, and plants wetted beforehand to reduce the risk from run-off. Hedgehogs and amphibians are less likely to be affected by exterior cleaning, but debris and moss cleared from roofs should be bagged rather than left in piles.

Frequently asked questions

nesting birds bats wildlife law roof cleaning