Preventing Conflicts With Pigeons
Pigeons are a major component of
many urban and suburban wildlife communities. Most people don’t object to them
unless they are present in large numbers. In such cases, their droppings may
ruin vegetation, produce an objectionable odor, and damage property such as
park benches, statues, cars, and buildings. Large accumulations of droppings
have been implicated in causing several fungal diseases. Droppings combined
with nest materials and feathers may block downspouts and vents on buildings.
Finally, pigeons carry a variety of parasites such as mites and lice. When they
nest near windows, these small pests can find their way into homes and bedding.
The most effective way to prevent conflicts with pigeons is to modify your home and property so as not to attract them. Limiting available food and water may help, but pigeons find food and water in many places, even far from where they roost and nest. Where people feed pigeons in their backyards, parks, or lunch areas, education can help reduce the pigeons’ food source; but this effort is often futile as there are always people who find the birds irresistible.
Following the suggestions below can reduce problems caused by pigeons roosting or nesting in and around buildings.
Occasionally a pigeon will get caught in a building. If this happens, turn off all inside lights and open all windows and other exits. The bird should leave on its own. If necessary, a broom or long pole with a T-shirt at the end can be used to direct the bird out an exit, or tire it to a point where it can be caught in a towel or similar item. If these methods fail or are impractical, a wildlife damage control company can be called to assist in the removal process. Call your local Animal Evictor representative for the removal.
Other situations where it is wise to hire such a professional to remedy pigeon problems include: removing a large quantity of droppings from an old or well-used roost or nesting site, and installing netting or other barriers high on buildings.
Install Barriers
The best way to keep pigeons from occupying ledges, window air-conditioning units, and similar sites is to install barriers. There are various ways to achieve this. Note: Established pigeons will fight any type of barrier put in place, especially if it is a popular nesting site. In such cases, the removal of pigeons prior to installing barriers is most effective.
The most effective way to prevent conflicts with pigeons is to modify your home and property so as not to attract them. Limiting available food and water may help, but pigeons find food and water in many places, even far from where they roost and nest. Where people feed pigeons in their backyards, parks, or lunch areas, education can help reduce the pigeons’ food source; but this effort is often futile as there are always people who find the birds irresistible.
Following the suggestions below can reduce problems caused by pigeons roosting or nesting in and around buildings.
Occasionally a pigeon will get caught in a building. If this happens, turn off all inside lights and open all windows and other exits. The bird should leave on its own. If necessary, a broom or long pole with a T-shirt at the end can be used to direct the bird out an exit, or tire it to a point where it can be caught in a towel or similar item. If these methods fail or are impractical, a wildlife damage control company can be called to assist in the removal process. Call your local Animal Evictor representative for the removal.
Other situations where it is wise to hire such a professional to remedy pigeon problems include: removing a large quantity of droppings from an old or well-used roost or nesting site, and installing netting or other barriers high on buildings.
Install Barriers
The best way to keep pigeons from occupying ledges, window air-conditioning units, and similar sites is to install barriers. There are various ways to achieve this. Note: Established pigeons will fight any type of barrier put in place, especially if it is a popular nesting site. In such cases, the removal of pigeons prior to installing barriers is most effective.
- Install sheet metal, wood, Styrofoam
blocks, or other materials at a 60-degree angle.
- Place an outstretched slinky toy or
a rolled-up piece of plastic mesh netting or chicken wire over the area.
- Place commercially-available metal
or plastic spikes where problems are severe or pigeons are persistent. Metal
coils function similarly. Electrified systems are designed to shock birds
without killing them and thus exclude them from specific locations. These are
commercial products available from farm supply centers and bird-control supply
companies on the Internet.
- Tightly string single-strand steel
wire (16-18 gauge) or monofilament line (80-pound test) between L-brackets
installed at each end of the area used by pigeons. For increased tension,
attach the wire to the L-brackets with turnbuckles. Install the wire so it will
come to the belly of the bird—about 2 inches high.
- Install bird netting to block off
indoor roosting and nesting areas. If you can’t reach a ledge from inside a
building, netting can be attached to the roof, draped across the front of the
structure, and then tightly secured to the base and sides of the building. Such
netting is available from nurseries and hardware stores; professional quality
material and associated hardware is available from bird-control companies and
over the Internet. Two-inch mesh netting works well for pigeons, and it isn’t
as likely to trap small songbirds as the light, small mesh material. Install
the netting so window washers can remove it or work under it.
- Cover the underside of rafters with
bird netting to prevent pigeons from gaining access to roosting spots.
Previously used bird netting may be available, as well as used gill netting
from fishermen or fish hatcheries. The cost of new netting makes seeking out an
alternative worthwhile.
- Holes in buildings can be boarded up
or covered with quarter-inch galvanized wire mesh.
- Commercially available sticky
products are not recommended. They attract dirt and may melt during hot
weather. In addition to people’s failure to use and monitor sticky products
properly, these products can cause pigeons and smaller birds to suffer
unnecessarily when they get stuck in them.
The cost of installing barriers may render them impractical on large buildings with extensive roosting sites. However, barriers are valid options for smaller areas. Always use care when working high above the ground and ensure that the barriers can’t fall and injure a passerby.
Check the covered areas as needed for accumulated debris or nest material. Regularly remove falling leaves and other matter that can cover the barrier and reduce its effectiveness.
If pigeons are likely to drop nest material and other debris on top of the newly installed barrier, add an additional barrier on the landing site above the installation.
Harassment Techniques
Noisemaking devices and scare tactics have little permanent effect on pigeons, particularly at well-established roosting and nesting sites. However, harassment methods can be effective when installed before pigeons become accustomed to using an area. They may also be effective on small groups of pigeons. Various harassment techniques include:
- Continually remove pigeon nests to
discourage the birds from nesting. Pigeons will leave an area after several
unsuccessful attempts at nest building. This approach is most effective after
barriers have been installed. When using a high-pressure spray, make sure the
contaminated water doesn’t spray where people are present.” for information on
safely cleaning up bird droppings. When spraying is not possible, use a hook
fastened to a long pole to remove the nests.
- Install a sprinkler in the roost
tree or other roosting site or light up the interior of the roost with bright
fluorescent lights.
- Contact your local falconer’s
association to have a falconer come out to train their falcons weekly (search
the Internet for “Falconers Association”). Trained falcons are especially
effective at dispersing large flocks of pigeons and catching individual birds
in large buildings. Most falconers will be reluctant to use their birds of prey
near highways and other high-traffic areas.
- Ultrasonic devices have been tested
by university, government, and private independent researchers, and were found
to have no effect on pigeons.
This information was provided by the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife, Russell Link and Michael Holmquist
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