Whether you want to deter pigeons from your home or business, you likely want to do so in a humane and safe way so that the birds aren’t harmed and you reach your goal of keeping them under control in your space.
There are plenty of simple ways to keep pigeons at bay so you can enjoy what they have to offer without the hassle and frustration of their mess.
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Some of the best pigeon deterrents include:
- Large bird decoys
- Bird spikes
- Electronic pest deterrents
- Pigeon repellent gel
- Bird nets
- Bird slides
- Bird coils
- Bird wire
- Pigeon traps
- Pigeon birth control
Keep reading for details on the best ways to deter pigeons:
1. Large Bird Decoys
Because pigeons are often preyed on by large birds, such as falcons, hawks, and owls, they are naturally wary of them and will stay away from them.
Using plastic bird decoys on your home or business is an easy and safe way to keep pigeons from landing on the roof or ledges.
If they aren’t landing there, they aren’t pooping on the building, leaving you with a big clean up job. The more realistic the decoys, the better they work.
You also want to choose one that is sturdy and will stay in place if it’s windy or rainy outside.
2. Bird Spikes
While they may cause some discomfort to the pigeon, these spikes won’t cause lasting harm and are a simple way to deter the birds from landing on your home or business.
They are easy to install and stay in place well during extreme weather.
They aren’t large enough to be a huge eyesore but will get the job done if you have too many pigeons bothering you on a regular basis. The spikes are highly effective and come in several sizes.
3. Electronic Pest Chaser
This device is ideal for controlling the pigeon population in your area but is also effective for keeping other pests at bay, including other birds, mice, and raccoons.
It works by emitting a high-frequency sound that you won’t be able to hear, but that pigeons hate. When they hear it, they will fly away and find somewhere else to land and roost.
An electronic pest chaser is easy to install – simply plug it in and place it where you want it. In no time at all, you’ll have deterred many pests from bothering you.
4. Bird Repellent Gel
Bird repellent gel is super easy to use and is one of the most affordable methods of deterring pigeons you’ll find. It’s easy to apply to the surfaces where you want to keep pigeons from landing and it works really well.
Pigeons don’t like the feel of the gel because it’s sticky and makes them feel trapped, something that they are afraid of.
The gel won’t actually trap the birds, but it will make them think twice about perching in an area where the gel has been applied.
5. Bird Nets
A bird net is a simple contraption to add to your building that keeps pigeons from perching on ledges or roofs.
It’s easy to install and is a common choice for tall buildings with many perching spots.
It won’t deter from the look of the building and is a humane way to keep pigeons and other pest birds from leaving their feces all over the face of your property and causing other problems at the same time.
Make sure you choose the right gauge for pigeons so that they aren’t able to land.
6. Pigeon Slides
If a pigeon can’t get a good grip on a ledge or other perch, it won’t stick around.
Using bird slides is an easy way to deter them from your property. All you have to do is install the slides on eaves, edges, and ledges using a base glue to adhere them.
Once in place, the birds will not be able to get a grip and will simply slide down the ramp.
The slides are customizable to the size you need and are a safe and humane way to deter pigeons from landing where you don’t want them.
7. Bird Coil
Pigeons, and most other birds, prefer a solid place to land. A bird coil makes traditional perching places unstable so pigeons aren’t interested in landing on them.
The coil is made from wire and is simply placed along ledges and other areas where you don’t want pigeons to land.
When the birds try to perch, the wire moves around and prevents them from staying there.
Instead, they’ll look for another place to land, keeping your space pigeon and poop free.
8. Bird Wire
Bird wire is similar to bird coil. It is installed along edges, ledges, and roofs and is thin, but taut. Pigeons can’t get a good landing grip on the wire so they are deterred from landing there.
The wire is easy to install and won’t hinder the look of your building since it’s so thin and hard to see.
However, it’s pretty effective and won’t harm any pigeons so you can feel good about using it.
9. Pigeon Traps
Pigeon traps are used in many large cities to help control the pigeon population.
Traps are not as easy to install or use as other pigeon deterrents but can be highly effective when done correctly.
The difference between this method and the others is that you will have to relocate the pigeons once you’ve trapped them.
If you don’t or can’t handle the burden, you can always get in touch with bird control professionals like Fantastic Bird Control. Pigeons can cause problems in and around properties for years.
Many experts say that this doesn’t necessarily mean that the pigeons won’t come back or prevent other pigeons from needing to be trapped.
Often, pigeon traps are combined with other pigeon deterrents, which produces better results.
If you want to try pigeon traps, be sure you understand which ones are best for your situation, how they work, and what you must do to be successful with them.
10. Use Pigeon Birth Control
Pigeon birth control is one of the most effective long term methods of getting rid of pigeons.
OvoControl uses a chemical called nicarbazin which causes infertility meaning that any eggs hatched will not develop.
Over a two-year period, 5 mating pairs of pigeons can produce as many as 400 pigeons if the environment can support them, so birth control is far more effective than killing or scaring pigeons away.
For the most humane deterrent to pigeons, be sure to choose the right device for your location and the extent of your pigeon problem.
Why Might You Need to Deter Pigeons?
Before you decide which pigeon deterrent to use, it’s a good idea to understand why you should control the pigeon population around your property.
Once you know the reasons why pigeons are considered pests, you can determine if you’re dealing with any of these issues and can choose the deterrent that best meets your needs.
One of the problems with feral pigeons is that they can affect the way your property looks. If it’s your home, you want it to look nice for your own enjoyment and comfort, but if you own a business, an out-of-control pigeon problem can turn customers away, especially if their droppings are taking over and making your property look dirty or uncared for.
When pigeons are roosting, they can also damage air conditioning units, solar panels and other machinery that is kept on the roof of your property. This can lead to costly repairs and other issues.
One of the biggest reasons that pigeons are considered pests is because their droppings tend to get everywhere. When those droppings are fresh and wet, they pose a fall risk for people in the vicinity.
If you are operating a business, this puts you at risk of being liable for injuries that occur due to the droppings. It might sound unlikely to happen, but it’s better to be safe than sorry.
Finally, pigeon poop poses health risks. It contains bacteria, fungal matter, and parasites that can make humans and other animals sick. Exposure can occur with direct contact with the feces but can also harm you if you inhale the dust from dried feces.
In many cases, medication is needed to remedy the illnesses contracted from pigeon droppings and in serious cases, the infections can lead to further health problems or death.
Controlling the amount of pigeon droppings on and around your property is necessary to protect yourself, your family, your customers, and anyone else that visits your home or business.