How to Keep Noisy Pests Out of Your Roof With Gutter Mesh

How to Keep Noisy Pests Out of Your Roof With Gutter Mesh

by | Jul 26, 2022 | Keeping Out Pests

Have you ever had the misfortune of dealing with noisy pests such as a myna bird or possum in your roof? 

For anyone who just answered “yes”, chances are you also experienced an involuntary shudder, as memories of sleepless nights and the nightmare of professional removal came flooding back.  

When possums, myna birds and other pests gain access to your warm and inviting roof space, they can cause all sorts of damage and havoc. But while “noise” might not be a problem that comes with a hefty repair receipt, it’s still a serious issue.

Uninvited guests  

Roof cavities are warm, dry and generally human-free – all of which makes them incredibly appealing to native and introduced wildlife including birds, possums, rats, mice and even snakes.

When these pests gain access to your roof space, they often choose to call it home. Similarly, many birds and other animals may choose to nest in your gutters. Even if they don’t take up residence, they’ll usually decide to return again and again.

All of which can seriously disturb your peace and quiet.

Unwanted soundscapes  

Scratching, screeching, gnawing, running, breeding and eating are all less-than-quiet activities pests engage in while in your roof or gutters.

In addition to being downright unpleasant, they can also occur at the most inconvenient of times.  Scampering and screeching animals in your roof are always disconcerting and can disturb you and your family throughout the day. However, when possums or other pests in your roof are having conversations and confrontations in the middle of the night, they also threaten your ability to get a good night’s sleep.

This is particularly problematic because many pests are nocturnal creatures. Dusk is often the time when they come out to play and talk, keeping you and your family awake night after night as they scamper through your roof and engage in other unpleasant activities.

Getting noisy pests out

Professional pest removal can be expensive, but it’s necessary to remove many of the pests who might be calling your roof space home.

For possums in particular, professional pest removal is often required, as many Australian states have extremely strict laws about possum trapping and removal. (We should note that at the time of writing, Tasmanians can still legally remove and even shoot possums.) Aggressive pests such as myna birds can also require professional removal, as DIY removal can be too dangerous.

Considering all the problems pests can cause in addition to noise (including extensive damage, clogged gutters, health risks and more), pest removal is obviously necessary if you have uninvited animal guests in your home. But as with most other things in life, prevention is even better than the cure.

Keeping noisy pests out 

The main way pests gain access to your home is via your gutters – which means your gutters are also the key to keeping them out.

Installing high-quality, over-the-gutter gutter mesh is an effective way to ensure you won’t be disturbed by noisy pests in your home.

When properly installed, over-the-gutter gutter mesh cuts off access to your roof, keeping uninvited animal guests out.

Selecting the right gutter mesh for pest defence 

Of course, in order to be effective, it’s important that you select the right type of gutter mesh for the pests in your area, and install it appropriately to ensure it does its job.

At Blue Mountain Co Gutter Mesh, we always recommend installing aluminium or steel gutter mesh if you’re serious about keeping pests out of your roof, as these products are strong enough to withstand scratching, gnawing and lifting from pests such as possums or myna birds.

Mesh Matcher 

Blue Mountain Co’s Mesh Matcher tool helps you determine which gutter mesh options are best suited to keeping the pests in your environment out of your roof.  

It’s fast and easy to use, so why not get started with Mesh Matcher now? 

The Growing Bushfire Threat 

Australia’s bushfire seasons are becoming more intense and unpredictable. The devastating 2019–2020 Black Summer fires burned over 24 million hectares, destroyed more than 3,000 homes, and impacted communities across the country (Statista, 2023). And the risks are only increasing: 

  • Fire seasons are starting earlier and lasting longer. 
  • Extreme fire weather is becoming more frequent. 
  • The annual area burned is growing. 

Prolonged droughts, rising temperatures, and drier landscapes are creating the perfect storm for fires to ignite and spread rapidly (Bowman et al., 2017). In some regions, fire seasons are now over a month longer than they were 35 years ago (NASA, 2023). 

Your Gutters: A Hidden Fire Risk 

When it comes to bushfire preparedness, many homeowners focus on clearing vegetation around their property. But one critical weak spot is often overlooked—gutters.This phenomenon, known as an ember attack, is responsible for up to 90% of homes lost in bushfires (Leonard et al., 2016). Dry leaves and debris in gutters provide the perfect fuel, allowing fire to spread to the roof and into the home within minutes. 

Gutter Protection: A Simple Yet Powerful Defence 

 
Investing in effective gutter protection is a key step in reducing your home’s bushfire risk. At Blue Mountain Gutter Mesh, we offer premium ember guard-compliant gutter mesh, designed to defend against ember attack. Our 2mm steel and aluminium gutter mesh options meet Australian Standard AS3959-2018 for ember guard compliance while preventing flammable debris buildup in your gutters—a critical factor since up to 90% of bushfire-related property losses stem from ember ignition. Crafted from non-combustible, corrosion-resistant materials, our mesh keeps embers and leaves out, safeguarding your home. 
 
2mm Steel Gutter Mesh: Ember guard compliant for all BALs (12.5, 19, 29, 40 and Flame Zone) 

2mm Aluminium Mesh: Features a woven edge for extra durability and is ember guard compliant for BALs 12.5, 19 and 29. 

5 Signs Your Gutters Need Protection Now 

  1. Leaves and debris constantly build up. 
  2. Water spills over during heavy rain. 
  3. Your gutters are sagging or pulling away. 
  4. Stains or water damage appear on exterior walls. 
  5. You live in a bushfire-prone area. 

Bushfire Readiness Checklist: 

✅ Install ember guards to your gutters 
✅ Regularly clear gutters and roof valleys. 
✅ Remove flammable materials from around your home. 
✅ Practice your evacuation plan with your family. 

The risk of bushfires is real—and growing. Don’t wait until the flames are at your doorstep. Protect your home now, starting from the top down. 

We're here to help you build a safer, more resilient home.

Talk to our team today about ember guard solutions for your property.

 

Reference List 

  1. Statista. (2023). Impact of the 2019–2020 Australian bushfires. Retrieved from https://www.statista.com 
  1. Bowman, D. M. J. S., Balch, J. K., Artaxo, P., Bond, W. J., Cochrane, M. A., D’Antonio, C. M., … & Swetnam, T. W. (2017). Fire in the Earth System. Science, 324(5926), 481–484. doi:10.1126/science.1163886 
  1. NASA. (2023). Bushfire season length and climate trends. Retrieved from https://climate.nasa.gov 
  1. Leonard, J., Blanchi, R., Bowditch, P., & Besnard, V. (2016). Building loss due to wildfire: Trends and future risk influences. CSIRO Bushfire Research. Retrieved from https://www.csiro.au 
  1. Standards Australia. (2018). AS3959-2018: Construction of buildings in bushfire-prone areas. Retrieved from https://www.standards.org.au