Pigeons are among the most intelligent birds. But they can quickly leave behind unsightly messes and potential damage. Here are 13 ways to get rid of pigeons humanely on your rooftop, on your balcony, in the attic, in your warehouse, or in your garden.
1. Close all the entrances
This is the best way to get rid of pigeons and doves from your property: from the balcony, on the roof, from the window, in a barn, or on the patio.
Pigeons are naturally drawn to corners where they can find shelter. To discourage pigeons from making nests in these areas, it is essential to block off all potential spaces that pigeons can occupy, including vent openings and cracks in your eaves or soffit.
For big openings, covering with hardware cloth is an effective solution, whereas smaller areas can be applied with silicone caulk. You can also trim tree branches that are close to walls, seal off the area with pigeon netting, install bird or pigeon nets above rafters, or remove old nests and waste.
When it comes to capping a chimney, it’s crucial to ensure that no birds are trapped inside the chimney beforehand. If necessary, a simple method involves placing a cardboard box in the fireplace to gently coax the bird out.
It is important to ensure regular maintenance of your solar panels. Pigeons tend to prefer resting on panels that are damaged or weakened. To prevent this, make sure your panels are in excellent condition and promptly repair them.
2. Using sounds
You can get rid of pigeons with sounds. There are two sound methods to keep pigeons off your balcony, your rooftop, your garden, etc. The first method involves using an ultrasonic device, which emits high-pitched ultrasound noises that are unpleasant for pigeons but inaudible to humans. You should leave the repeller on continuously is recommended, as it is effective in deterring pigeons without using excessive electricity.
The second method involves playing raptor sounds, which scare pigeons away by creating the illusion of a predator nearby. This method is an easy way to get rid of pigeons. It is cost-effective and does not involve harmful substances.
Birds have excellent hearing and rely on it to detect calls from other birds, locate food, find mates, and identify danger. Taking advantage of their sensitive hearing, the ultrasound bird repeller emits distress calls and predator sounds, creating a natural and deterrent effect.
While these sound-based methods may require consistent use over time, pigeons will learn to associate the area with danger, ultimately keeping them away.
3. Netting
To keep pigeons away from your balcony, garden, warehouse, attic, or under solar panels, you can install a netting that spans the gap between the railing and roof. By ensuring the netting is securely fastened, birds can be effectively prevented from landing. While the presence of netting may not be aesthetically pleasing, it can be easily removed at a later time.
For rooftops and buildings, nylon bird netting comes highly recommended. This type of netting blends seamlessly with the siding, maintaining the visual appeal of the structure, and it poses no harm to the birds. However, it’s worth noting that the installation and upkeep of this netting can be time-consuming.
By installing bird netting along sheds, rafters, and eaves, you can effectively safeguard your outbuildings against pesky pigeons and repel them from seeking refuge near your cherished garden.
Alternatively, there is an option of using a netting system that boasts an almost invisible appearance. Although this solution can be quite expensive, it offers exceptional effectiveness when properly installed.
4. Remove food source
To effectively keep pigeons off your roof, garden, barn, and balcony, it is important to eliminate any potential sources of food and water that may attract them. This includes being diligent about cleaning up spilled food, livestock feed, spilled grain, garbage, and pet water bowls. By thoroughly tidying these places, you can significantly reduce the attractiveness of these spaces for pigeons and dissuade their return.
However, in situations where pigeon infestations persist despite employing various pigeon-repellent methods, you should know pigeon habits. These birds are frequently drawn to different kinds of food sources such as berries, seeds, fruits, and even human food. By carefully observing their behavior, you may know how to effectively address the issue.
Additionally, if you have bird feeders in your garden, consider investing in specialized pigeon-proof or weight-sensitive feeders. These specially designed feeders can prove effective in deterring not only pigeons but also other pest birds from accessing the food.
5. Repellent gel
Bird repellent gel is a remarkably effective means of getting rid of pigeons from your roof, balcony, attic, barn, and warehouse as they despise landing on its sticky surface. To ensure its application on railings remains harmless, it is crucial to employ a protective cover. You can conveniently acquire this environmentally safe commercial gel-repellent either from a local store or through online platforms like Amazon.
While this method is safe, it is essential to carefully adhere to the provided instructions to prevent any harm to birds.
You can apply the gel by using a brush or a spray bottle. However, it is important to note that balconies, railings, window sills, or any areas frequently touched by people should not be treated with the gel. Moreover, it is not advisable to use it in spaces inhabited by smaller birds, as they could become permanently trapped. Due to the accumulation of dust and debris over time, regular reapplication of the pigeon-repellent gel might be necessary.
6. Use a motion-activated sprinkler
To effectively deter pigeons from your garden and put an end to the unsightly issue of pigeon poop littering your garden, a viable solution worth considering is the utilization of a motion-activated sprinkler. This is a humane and non-toxic approach to deter pigeons from your garden.
7. Using spikes to get rid of pigeons
Bird spikes, commonly referred to as anti-roosting spikes or bird stoppers, offer a highly effective and humane solution for safeguarding balconies and roofs against pigeon infestations. These specially designed spikes create an inhospitable surface, preventing pigeons from perching. Available in various materials such as plastic and stainless steel. You should choose the appropriate spikes so that they won’t hurt the birds.
Attaching the bird spikes is a straightforward process, as they can be secured using either the provided adhesive glue or nails, screws, and tie-downs. It’s important to consider that pigeons are intelligent creatures and may eventually learn to avoid areas where spikes are installed.
To discourage nesting, it is advisable to install the spikes on exposed ledges that are open to the sky. Placing the spikes horizontally under a roof or against a wall can inadvertently provide nesting opportunities for birds. By incorporating anti-roosting spikes into your balcony’s setup, you effectively limit the available roosting areas for pigeons, thereby reducing their attraction to your home.
8. Reflective objects
To stop pigeons from coming to your balcony or patio, you can employ various reflective objects that deter birds due to their aversion to bright flashes of light. One effective option involves hanging old CDs by attaching strings through their centers, ensuring that they sway and reflect light by suspending them with fishing lines or insulation wire. Alternatively, you can opt for Mylar balloons, aluminum foil pans, or adhesive reflective tape, which can be conveniently purchased and affixed to railings or walls near the pigeons’ gathering spot.
Another strategy is to employ aluminum foil, which serves a dual purpose. Firstly, it creates discomfort for the pigeons by blocking the sunlight they rely on for orientation. Secondly, the foil produces a noisy environment as it rustles against itself, further chasing away pigeons from staying on your balcony and prompting them to seek a more comfortable location.
For a different approach, you can utilize small mirrors or foil balloons suspended from strings to capture and reflect light, effectively intimidating pigeons. As for reflective tape, simply peel off a piece and attach it to the adjacent railing or wall where the pigeons gather. Alternatively, hang the tape from a string, allowing it to flutter in the wind. Its excellent light-catching properties and audible crackling in the breeze contribute to getting rid of doves and pigeons.
You can apply this method to shoo away pigeons from your roof, barn, under solar panels, or warehouse. To get rid of pigeons on the roof, you can also use lasers which effectively discourage pigeons through their dynamic movements. Typically triggered by motion, these lasers emit flashing lights upon a pigeon’s arrival on the roof, surprising the birds and deterring them from settling down to roost.
By employing these pigeon deterrent methods, you can keep pigeons away for extended periods, and if needed, replacements can be easily made.
9. Strong scent
One effective and affordable home remedy to get rid of pigeons from your garden involves utilizing potent scents. By combining cinnamon or peppermint essential oil, or cayenne pepper, with water and transferring the mixture into a spray bottle, you can create a natural solution.
Pigeons don’t like these potent odors, making the spray an efficient way to deter them. However, it’s important to be aware that the spray may irritate some people and pets who come into contact with it. Additionally, to maintain its effectiveness, regular reapplication of the spray is necessary.
Alternatively, you can opt for a commercial pigeon repellent spray, specifically designed to keep pigeons at bay. These repellents usually emit a foul odor that prevents pigeons from coming to surfaces like balconies, roofs, or railings.
10. Wires
There are a couple of options available for driving pigeons away. One effective method is the installation of an anti-roosting string. By carefully placing lines of string, wire coils, or stainless-steel wire along the balcony railing and securing them securely at both ends, a barrier is created that effectively deters pigeons from landing.
Another approach involves the installation of a bird fence around the perimeter of the balcony, which can be achieved using pre-made fences or materials such as chicken wire. The height of the fence should be sufficient to keep pigeons from accessing the balcony area. It’s worth noting that while the bird fence is highly effective, it may not look good. Nevertheless, these methods offer simple yet practical ways to pigeon-proof your home without killing the birds.
To effectively deter pigeons from perching or nesting on your roof, one effective approach is to install parallel wires along the structure. By doing so, you create a barrier that discourages pigeons from landing or building nests on the surface. You can apply this way to other places like barns or attics. You can do this by yourself or hire professionals.
11. Scarecrows
One proven method to scare away pigeons from balconies, attics, gardens, backyards, terraces, under solar panels, and roofs is by employing decoys that mimic natural predators, such as fake owls or rubber snakes. You can buy them online. These decoys effectively frighten pigeons away due to their resemblance to genuine threats. By featuring lifelike, three-dimensional characteristics and incorporating random movements (you can even consider adding raptor sounds), these scarecrows can be remarkably effective.
However, it’s worth noting that their efficacy might diminish over time, as pigeons could eventually recognize them as harmless objects since they consistently appear in the same spot. That’s why you should periodically relocate the decoys around the balcony to maintain their deterrent effect.
While the method has proven effectiveness, its efficacy may be limited in cases where there is already an established pigeon population residing on your roof.
12. Shock track
A highly efficient method to get rid of pigeons on balconies is the implementation of a shock track system. This system incorporates metal leads capable of conducting electricity, enabling it to administer a minor electric shock to birds upon landing and perching. The shock won’t hurt the pigeons, but it’s strong enough to effectively render the perching area unappealing to birds.
13. Calling a professional
If you’re dealing with a huge flock of pigeons or all the methods above fail to work, it’s time for you to call a professional. They can provide effective solutions while ensuring compliance with the pertinent rules and regulations.
Conclusion
There exists a multitude of humane methods to get rid of pigeons from your balcony, roof, barn, attic, backyard, or garden. You have a range of options at your disposal, including the utilization of sounds, scents, repellent gel, nets, wires, spikes, reflective objects, or decoys.
However, it is important to note that relying solely on a single approach may not guarantee complete effectiveness. It is advisable to employ a combination of strategies to get rid of these birds from roosting and nesting in undesired areas. Furthermore, addressing potential food sources, maintaining cleanliness, and modifying the physical layout of structures and landscapes can contribute to deterring them.
References:
- Smithspestmanagement
- Pestdefence.co.uk
