How to get rid of pigeons? (Humanely)
Do you have a pigeon problem around your property or business? If you do, then you have stumbled on the perfect article to help you get rid of them. Pigeons are said to be a very relentless nuisance for those who live in or near a city. They usually make themselves at home on various windowsills and balconies, causing damage and making a mess wherever they go. Pigeon droppings contain acid which could result in leaving the roof in very bad shape. Their nests also can lead to several blockages of ventilation ducts or drains which can sometimes cause fires.
While you are thinking of ways on how to get rid of pigeons, you should keep in mind that these birds are vermin and are definitely not clean birds. They can spread diseases and can quite frankly, as discussed earlier, be a complete nuisance. Pigeons are destructive to your property and garden plus they harbor other types of vermin and pest species which are quite challenging to eradicate. To say they leave a mess in their path is just like saying that a hurricane may be a bit windy.
Some people actually love the company of these birds as they believe it could add to the beauty of their plants in the balcony garden. While to others, they are seen as big problems. Before these birds start to feel comfortable in your home and create a bigger mess, it is advisable for you to find a solution in driving them away. The solutions mentioned below can help you get rid of pigeons in a humane manner.
Eliminate Food Source
The first thing you must do is eliminating the sources of food they have. If you have a bird feeder, you would definitely need to take it down. It is also important that your garbage can lids are always closed tightly. If you have dogs or cats around, don’t leave their food dishes outside. These are just some of the various things that make your home a desirable stop for these birds. If you take away their food supply, they will move on.
Water Deterrent
Another helpful tip, in the first instance when you see the birds, is to spray them with water from a hosepipe or sprinkler. Water stops pigeons from flying as often as they like, therefore, these birds do not like being sprayed by water. It definitely won’t hurt them, but would prevent them from settling down on your property or business. However, if you decide to wait until they feel comfortable and set up home, it could be too late. So, the best thing is to scare them off while you can.
Bird Spikes
You could also spike the handrail as this can stop the birds from being able to land which in turn stops them from flying over and making your home their place of comfort. The spikes could be cable tied on the rail. This does not harm the bird (since they are all blunt cut), it would just stop the birds from being able to land at that particular space.
Repellants
Another thing I suggest you could do is to put or spray repellant in the nesting areas. The majority of these repellents are described as not hazardous to the pigeons, which is good if you do not want a big cleanup. This simply irritates the pigeons so they won’t want to stay around. There are so many commercial repellents you can get, like B-ST, or maybe you could use things like mothballs or alternatively WD-40. Mothballs and B-ST produce an odor these birds simply don’t like. Oil also is a deterrent to pigeons, because it has the added effect of being slick, and they definitely don’t like the fact that they can’t get a grip. This is also a measure that helps to scare them away.
If you decide to use a more organic method, then spices should be considered. You can use any type of spice.
The most common include chili powder, cinnamon, black pepper and cayenne pepper. Sprinkle this around the areas the pigeons frequent. It may include window sills, railings, or rooftops, etc.
It would require you to apply them frequently though. It makes it even more effective. Once the birds get a feel of it, they wouldn’t want to hang around the space anymore. The surroundings would become a no-go area.
Other Methods
Some other pretty cool and very simple way to get rid of pigeons from your surroundings could be by purchasing a plastic owl or a snake and placing it on your property. Pigeons are more afraid of these two creatures and will definitely stay away which could put an end to your pigeon problem.
You could also decide to bait the birds. You could do this by feeding the birds frequently for a certain period, which could be a week or two. It should be done often since there’s a need to establish a routine and build trust with them. Once they get used to picking up the food, you can then feed them a tranquilizer or an immobilizer. This would enable them to be transported safely somewhere else without harming them.
Conclusion
In conclusion, pigeons are said to be a real pain if your surroundings become overrun with them. Eradicating them from your space will take some patience but acting swiftly using the methods discussed are several means that you could use to avoid these birds from roosting, scavenging and messing in and around your property. It is important that you keep in mind that these pigeons have been occupying these areas nearby for generations. They can actually survive on any type of sustenance, and they breed year-round. Persistence is key in eradicating these birds, and their descendants in the long-run.
Do you have a problem with pigeons in your attic? Spotting them can be very easy. If pigeons are coming into your attic, you should be able to identify them by their incessant chirping. They also make noises as they walk and scratch about the attic. They are also messy and leave behind nesting materials and large amounts of droppings.
The attic of your home would seem like a wonderful place for pigeons to make a nest, as they may find the spot ideal. Eradicating these birds in the attic can prove to be a daunting task for several reasons. For instance, it’s not so easy to reach them if their nests are located in high corners of the attic. Getting to them to destroy their nest and driving them away would be difficult and it can also expose you to their dangerous feces, especially when it’s dried because the hazardous spores will most likely become airborne.
It’s important you remove attic-dwelling birds as soon as you spot them, because not only are they loud and messy, but their droppings carry diseases like Candidiasis and Histoplasmosis which has a bad effect on human health.
Determine Entry Points
The first thing you should do is determine how the birds got there. Finding unwelcoming birds in your attic is actually a very common problem across the country. What people sometimes fail to know and take for granted is that while being protective of your home, a bird’s home and habitat may have been destroyed in order to build and construct a home on that same plot of land. Open cracks or broken window panes on the outside of the home can serve as a welcome entry points for the birds.
Repellents
The use of reflective objects can be used to get rid of the birds. You could give it a trial by using some reflective tape on your roof edge or hanging objects that would make noise, or balloons to scare off the birds. For instance, letting some firecrackers go off any time they land somewhere close to your attic. It is important to use firecrackers that are not dangerous for children. This repellent is as easy as it comes, and works every single time!
Prevent Re-entry
Another method that could work is blocking the entrance with wire mesh or metal. If they are roosting, then barbed wire, shock track, or needle strips will frequently stop them from landing and staying. Once you have gotten rid of the birds then you should be careful in removing their waste as it causes respiratory problems if inhaled.
Once you have successfully removed the pigeons from your attic, it is important to seal any possible points of entry using chicken wire, solid barrier or bird netting. If the birds are gaining entry through loose roof tiles you must get them repaired as soon as possible. You may also want to bird-proof the outside of your home with bird netting, spikes, or wire systems in order to stop an infestation in the future and minimize the damage these birds can create.
If you looking to learn how to eradicate pigeons, well then, you’re in the right place!
Pigeons are said to be quite problematic. Most people wonder how to get rid of pigeons because these birds are becoming bolder than ever around buildings. These birds completely own your feeding station, thereby crowding out all other songbirds. These birds scarf down as much food as possible and aren’t even polite enough to leave any for the other birds.
The droppings of these birds are not only unsightly but quite destructive, they eat into wood, plastic, vinyl and stone surfaces. Removal of these droppings is very difficult and quite expensive and can cause even more damage than the actual droppings. The droppings are acidic and stain the surface of anything it touches, such as the roof of your home. This isn’t even the worse harm they could do, their droppings also carry a host of other diseases and parasites!
Failing to eradicate these birds, their nest droppings, and feathers could block your rainwater pipes, thereby causing water damage. They also often lift loose roof coverings to gain access to the roof of your home. This can lead to major damage by allowing water to enter which could cause wood-rotting fungi. Insects are usually attracted to this rotting wood, resulting in further decay. Now you see why you need to get rid of them as soon as you can because they cause a whole host of problems.
Gel Repellant
First, a Bird Repellant Gel is recommended, which needs to be added in areas they occupy the most. You should also use a caulking gun to spread the gel. It should be applied anywhere the pigeons tend to sit which can be on ledges, rafters, light poles, gutters, window sills, rooftops, beams, or signs. The Bird Repellant Gel is very sticky and unpleasant, and they won’t want to get it on their feet.
The Bird Repellant Gel does not harm the birds and is made from non-toxic materials. This gel isn’t like a sticky trap for mice, which kills pests once trapped. The bird gel is only designed to make it uncomfortable.
Bird Spikes
The use of stainless steel bird spikes is also used for getting rid of pigeons from your rooftop, parapet walls, light fixtures and other curved or flat surfaces. Bird B Gone bird spikes are recommended, and continue to be used by homeowners worldwide. The spikes usually come in 1, 3, and 5-inch splay widths to provide wider areas of protection. These spiked strips consist of patented “bend-and-crush” design, which means they are embedded firmly in an unbreakable UV-protected polycarbonate base.
Netting
Bird Net 2000 Heavy Duty Netting can also be used to get rid of pigeons because this netting blocks them out from specific areas. The netting is also easy to install using Bird B Gone’s line of professional-grade installation hardware. It is made of a tough UV-stabilized polyethylene mesh. The industrial-strength Bird Net 2000 is extremely durable, rot and waterproof, and flame resistant. The netting comes in various area sizes and colors including black, stone, or white to blend in with its background. Most of the time Bird Net 2000 is often specified in architectural plans and is backed by a 10-Year Guarantee.
Pigeons are problems for most people who live in urban environments. These birds prefer warm places and could spend a long time roosting and breeding on buildings and congregating in open areas. When pigeons cause problems on your property, it could be because of the need for comfort in flat areas for nesting, or a roof for shelter and easy availability of food. Pigeons are also very dirty and mess up homes and balconies with their stinky, gooey droppings.
They are also known for being a real nuisance and can damage your property, break window glasses, and carry along with them a host of dangerous pigeon-borne diseases and parasites. Below are various means in which you can make your property less attractive to pigeons.
Deterrents and Repellents
Getting rid of pigeons simply isn’t enough, as they have a habit of returning even when you kick them out. The use of visual deterrents and chemical or herbal repellents can help keep these pesky critters from making your home their gathering spot. It would also help to make your property uninviting as possible to pigeons.
Water Jets
The use of water jets is highly recommended, as everyone knows, pigeons do not like water, so it makes sense for this to be one of the weapons you use in your battle against these birds. Get some automatic water jets installed on your property which will spray the pigeons frequently. Once this happens quite a number of times, they will then look for another place, which is drier and more comfortable, to spend their time and build their nests.
Predator Decoys
As bold as these birds could be around humans, they are easily scared by the sight of potential predators. You can place a plastic owl or fake snake in places you feel they are prone to congregate. As with other pests, it’s also a good idea to shift these plastic decoys around frequently so the birds don’t suspect they’re just decor.
A kite with the shape of a hawk can be used to scare the birds away, as they look like a predator in flight. Also, the use of foil balloons and some reflective objects on your property can make life essentially difficult for pigeons and other birds, as they can’t see when near these surfaces.
Spice Repellent
You could also place “pomanders” (cheesecloth pouches) of black pepper, chili powder, cayenne pepper, or strong spice powder mix along railings or window sills. By keeping your trash covered and not keeping scraps or bird-feeders handy for pigeons would also make your home less attractive to them.
Eliminate Sheltered Areas
Even when they are not nesting, they prefer areas with a roof so they can sleep. Large flocks of pigeons may sleep under trellises, roof overhangs, awnings and gazebos. When there isn’t enough shelter for the flock, they tend to look elsewhere. An exterminator could help you to eliminate the sheltered areas that are attractive to the pigeons.
One of the best ways you can keep them away is to make the pigeons less interested in being there to begin with. You should always try getting rid of any standing water on your property, which can be a means for both drinking and bathing. Eradicating pigeons from your home or property isn’t a simple process. It takes a lot of thought and effort.
Pigeons make use of roof overhangs, rooftops, gutters, and even window trims to build nests. They are social birds, which basically means that they like to live together. But no one wants to be woken up at the crack of dawn by cooing and scratching noises. Unfortunately, they usually tend to build their nests and raise smaller pigeons on the surfaces of human structures, especially solar panels, which always results in increased noises and disruptions and cause reduced performance of your solar power system.
Pigeons under solar panels are relatively new, but a common problem, as the roof-mounted solar panel provides a sheltered and warm environment that these birds will often take advantage of. Pigeons nesting under solar panels can create different issues other than just the fouling mess they cause. Their droppings build up when they fly over the solar panels, and a single large drop will shade the cells to such an extent that it causes a reduction in the efficiency of the module by 30%. This in turn would have an adverse effect on the overall efficiency of the whole system output which would incur more costs. Pigeons may be entertaining to watch, but their droppings cause severe damage to your expensive solar panel system. Continue reading to find out some tips that could be useful on getting rid of pigeons under solar panels.
Scare Tape
It is not recommended to use an electrocuting trap as it isn’t a wise way to go when you want to drive these birds away. It could kill them on your roof, which leaves you with the task to clean them up. It’s also a very brutal method. Instead, it is suggested to use Predator Guard Scare Tape.
The Predator Guard Scare Tape is a solar panel bird deterrent kit commonly used by farmers and agricultural companies to drive away any birds from their crops. The only thing you have to do is round the solar panels with a long strip which would cover all the possible point of entry for the
pigeons.
The way this tape works is by producing a blinding shimmer when struck by sunlight. Pigeons do not like this and it may cause disorientation if they come close. The tape also produces a metallic sound that the pigeons hate. The sound is so bad that it drives them away as well as other small animals. But it doesn’t harm the birds in any way, it only sends them away. You should know this isn’t an adhesive tape, so it is used by tying it or securing it with a sticky surface.
Decoys
Another method is by using plastic birds of prey as scarecrows for your solar panels. It may look outdated, but a fake owl with a head that changes in the wind can be a good guard for solar panels.
Spikes
Installing anti-roosting spikes can act as a deterrent. They could be attached easily to any spot around the panels that pigeons frequently want to nest and perch. Another smoother option is a slinky toy, which you could get at any department store. Birds hate it because it’s an uncomfortable surface for them to land on.