Despite their harmless look, pigeons carry diseases, leave behind acidic waste, and bully other birds. You can find them roosting in just about every open spot in your backyard, roof, or balcony. They can also cause a lot of mess and expensive roof damage.
Furthermore, their faeces can pose a threat to your health and invite vermin, such as flies and rats, leading to yet another problem. The noise, health concerns, and structural damage, that pigeons can cause should not be left unresolved.
In this article, we will share with you how to keep pigeons away from your home without hurting them. All of the solutions that we are going to be talking about are easy to execute, budget-friendly, and effective.
Ready to find out how to get rid of pigeons in a humane way?
Table of Contents
Do pigeons carry diseases?
While pigeons are not harmful in the traditional sense, meaning that they don’t attack people, bird excrements, on the other hand, can lead to the spread of airborne diseases. It is estimated that over 60 diseases can be transmitted by bird poo, some of which can affect humans and pets. Histoplasmosis, Cryptococcosis, and Salmonellosis are the most common ones.
Aside from diseases, pigeons can also carry more than 50 types of ectoparasites, many of which are very harmful. Examples include bird mites, bed bugs, and yellow mealworms.
How to get rid of pigeons humanely
The calls of pigeons can be extremely loud, particularly during their mating season. No matter where pigeons nest on a roof, window sills, balconies, solar panels, or elsewhere, there are plenty of methods to discourage them from hanging out there.
Pigeon gel, bird nets, spike strips, and ultrasonic devices can all be used as humane bird control options. That being said, our experts in pigeon control recommend several ways to keep them away without hurting them, starting with…
Netting
The use of bird netting is a good option, particularly for balconies and areas that are hard to reach. Whether you have a large-scale problem or just a few occasional incidents, a bird netting system is an effective way of preventing them from nesting on high roofs.
The bird net is strong and will be just as effective against seagulls and other types of larger birds. Moreover, the synthetic cords can withstand harsh weather conditions, such as rain, snow, and heat.
Bird spikes
Stainless steel or plastic anti-bird spikes can be mounted horizontally to prevent birds from landing comfortably. In addition, they do not cause pain or harm to pigeons – they are merely a simple way to keep birds from building nests.
This method is very effective in the battle against pigeons, and despite the appearance of the bird spikes, it’s entirely harmless. Basically, once the spikes are correctly positioned, the birds will not have enough room to build a nest.
Wind chime
Attaching a wind chime to the roof of your deck or balcony can discourage pigeons from nesting there. These chimes often have reflective objects on them, which prevent pigeons from landing there. The bad part is that, in time, birds can get used to it. To prevent a pigeon infestation, choose strategic locations, such as window sills and ledges, to discourage pigeons.
Bird repellent gel
Bird-repellent gel is exactly as it sounds – a sticky, transparent substance. It is usually applied on ledges or other areas where pigeons are not welcome. Gels often include active components, such as essential oils, which the pigeons find odious.
That being said, they are a short-term solution, as the gel quickly dries or is covered by dust or debris, making it ineffective and needing a re-application. It is also possible for small birds, such as sparrows, to get stuck in the gel.
Use reflective surfaces
This is a tried and tested method for keeping birds away from your garden. For example, many of us have seen this in the form of CDs or other shiny objects that reflect sunlight. The reflective surfaces can temporarily affect the pigeons’ eyesight and make them stay away from your deck or balcony.
Ultrasonic bird repeller
Another harmless solution is the ultrasonic device. This is a scanning technology that can identify birds from a distance and use sound waves to drive them away. The device comes in several modes that can be customised according to the season.
Ultrasonic systems are perfect for areas where noise-related methods are not an option since they can be used anywhere without irritating your neighbours. As long as the devices are working, birds will stay away from the area. It is possible for this solution to work constantly with the use of a solar-powered device.
Important! Follow the law when deterring pigeons: According to the Wildlife & Countryside Act from 1981, you can’t harm pigeons, their nests (while they’re occupied), nor their eggs. Make sure you check local laws concerning the area and which control methods are allowed before you take any action.
How to keep pigeons away
In order to keep your family and yourself safe from various diseases, you should prevent pigeons from getting close to your property. Below are some steps you can take to prevent a pigeon infestation:
Seal off your attic
You should fill gaps between the roof shingles and your house siding. Seal any nesting sites using hardware cloth and silicone caulk or just plastic bird netting. By trimming tree branches that grow close to your roof, you can further prevent access to your attic.
Use chimney caps
Chimneys are a favourite place for pigeons to chill. Mesh stainless steel caps prevent birds and other animals from entering while still allowing smoke to escape. You should call an expert if you are not comfortable with scaling roofs. Ensure that the chimney isn’t inhabited by pigeons while being capped.
Eliminate food sources
Keep all bird feeders off your property, and never feed the pigeons. A pigeon’s memory of food sources is excellent. Whenever they find human accomplices, they’ll constantly return to those places. In order to eliminate their presence, you need to remove access to food.
Check also: How to feed birds without attracting rats
Hire bird control professionals to help you!
Pigeons are very adaptable creatures. They are fearless when it comes to humans and can be extremely difficult to find a solution for. As a result, it is best to use multiple pigeon control methods in order to keep them at bay. Most of the options require some experience and knowledge for their execution, so consider opting for a professional bird control service for the most efficient results.
Fantastic Pest Control offers professional solutions that can help you rid your property of nasty intruders fast. The service is very affordable, easy to organise, humane, and, most importantly – effective. Make your appointment today!
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I need the best solution to detect the pigeons’ birds in our huge warehouses
Preventing birds can be done by fixing nets. There are bird nets available and these can prevent the birds and rodents coming inside and building nests. These nets have holes which does allow air flow and light so no issues with that.