How to Get Pigeons Away from Your Property

Pigeons, with their cooing and feathered presence, can become a nuisance when they invade your property. Their droppings can damage structures, pose health risks, and create an unsightly mess. If you’re facing a pigeon problem, finding effective strategies to deter them is crucial. In this article, we will explore a range of techniques and methods to get pigeons away from your property, ensuring a clean, safe, and pigeon-free environment.

Understanding Pigeon Behavior: Why Do Pigeons Flock to Properties?

Before implementing pigeon deterrent measures, it’s important to understand why pigeons are attracted to your property in the first place. Pigeons are highly adaptable birds that are drawn to environments that provide them with food, water, and shelter. Common reasons why pigeons flock to properties include:

• Food Sources: Pigeons are opportunistic feeders and are attracted to readily available food sources, such as open garbage cans, outdoor pet food, or improperly stored bird feeders.
• Roosting and Nesting Spots: Pigeons seek sheltered areas for roosting and nesting. This includes ledges, eaves, balconies, or any area that provides protection from predators and the elements.
• Water Availability: Pigeons require water for drinking and bathing. If your property has accessible water sources, such as birdbaths, fountains, or leaky pipes, it may attract pigeons.

Natural Deterrents: Encouraging Pigeons to Flee

One approach to deterring pigeons from your property involves utilizing natural deterrents that make the environment less attractive to them. These methods rely on disrupting their roosting, nesting, and feeding habits. Consider the following strategies:

Remove Food Sources

Eliminating or securing potential food sources is crucial in deterring pigeons. Ensure that outdoor garbage cans have tight-fitting lids, clean up spilled birdseed, and store pet food in sealed containers. By removing their food supply, you make your property less enticing to pigeons.

Trim Trees and Vegetation

Pigeons are drawn to areas that provide cover for roosting and nesting. Regularly trim trees, shrubs, and vegetation around your property to limit suitable perching spots. Removing overhanging branches and dense foliage reduces the appeal of your property as a pigeon habitat.

Install Bird Feeders with Deterrents

If you enjoy feeding birds, consider using specialized bird feeders designed to deter pigeons while still attracting other desired bird species. These feeders often have mechanisms that prevent larger birds, such as pigeons, from accessing the food. By discouraging pigeons from accessing the feeders, you can minimize their presence on your property.

Utilize Predatory Bird Decoys

Pigeons are wary of predators, so placing decoys of predatory birds, such as owls or hawks, in strategic locations can deter them. These decoys create an illusion of a predator presence, discouraging pigeons from approaching. Move the decoys periodically to prevent pigeons from becoming accustomed to their static presence.

Create Reflective Surfaces

Pigeons dislike reflective surfaces, as they create a sense of unease and insecurity. Hang shiny objects, such as reflective tape, aluminum foil strips, or old CDs, near areas where pigeons tend to gather. The sunlight bouncing off these surfaces can confuse and discourage pigeons from roosting.

Physical Barriers: Preventing Access to Roosting and Nesting Spots

Physical barriers are an effective means of preventing pigeons from accessing areas where they roost or nest. By blocking off their preferred perching spots, you can discourage pigeons from lingering on your property. Consider the following methods:

Install Spikes or Wires

Spikes or wires are simple yet effective physical deterrents that prevent pigeons from landing and roosting on ledges, window sills, and other surfaces. These devices create an uncomfortable surface that pigeons find difficult to navigate. Place them in areas where pigeons tend to congregate to discourage their presence.

Implement Bird Netting

Bird netting is a versatile and effective solution for larger areas. It creates a physical barrier that prevents pigeons from accessing specific locations, such as balconies, rooftops, or courtyards. Proper installation of bird netting ensures that pigeons cannot enter or roost in the protected areas.

Install Sloping Surfaces

Pigeons prefer flat surfaces for roosting and nesting. By installing sloping surfaces, such as angled boards or strips, you can deny them suitable perching spots. Ensure that the angles are steep enough to discourage pigeons but still allow rainwater to drain properly.

Use Bird-Spikes

Bird-spikes are specialized devices designed to prevent pigeons from landing on surfaces such as windowsills, ledges, and rooftops. These spikes create an uncomfortable surface that discourages pigeons from roosting. Install bird-spikes strategically in areas where pigeons commonly gather to prevent them from perching.

Sonic and Visual Deterrents: Disrupting Pigeon Behavior

Pigeons are intelligent birds that can adapt to static deterrents over time. Sonic and visual deterrents provide dynamic stimuli that disrupt their behavior, discouraging them from staying on your property. Consider the following options:

Ultrasonic Devices

Ultrasonic devices emit high-frequency sound waves that are inaudible to humans but can be discomforting for pigeons. Install ultrasonic devices in areas where pigeons frequent, such as balconies or rooftops. The soundwaves create an environment that pigeons find unpleasant, encouraging them to seek alternative locations.

Motion-Activated Sprinklers

Motion-activated sprinkler systems can startle pigeons and deter them from returning to your property. These systems detect motion using sensors and release a sudden burst of water, creating an unpredictable and unwelcome experience for pigeons.

Visual Deterrents

Visual deterrents can disrupt pigeon behavior by creating an environment they find unappealing. Hang scare balloons, windsocks, or reflective tape in areas where pigeons congregate. The movement and unfamiliar shapes will deter pigeons from roosting or nesting.

Environmental Modifications: Making Your Property Less Pigeon-Friendly

Modifying the environment around your property can help deter pigeons and make it less attractive to them. By creating an inhospitable environment, pigeons will be inclined to seek alternative locations. Consider the following strategies:

Encourage Predatory Birds

Encouraging the presence of predatory birds, such as hawks or falcons, can help control pigeon populations naturally. Install perches or nesting platforms to attract predatory birds to your property. However, be mindful of local regulations and ethical considerations when promoting natural predation.

Eliminate Water Sources

Pigeons require water for drinking and bathing. Eliminate accessible water sources on your property, such as birdbaths, uncovered pools, or leaky pipes. By removing these water sources, you make your property less appealing to pigeons.

Install Porcupine Wire

Porcupine wire is a specialized deterrent that prevents pigeons from landing on rooftops, ledges, or other surfaces. It consists of angled wires with protruding spikes that make landing uncomfortable for pigeons. Proper installation of porcupine wire can effectively deter pigeons from accessing specific areas of your property.

Professional Assistance: Seeking Expert Help

If the pigeon problem persists despite your efforts, seeking professional assistance may be necessary. Professional pest control companies have the expertise and tools to address pigeon infestations effectively. They can assess the severity of the issue, recommend appropriate solutions, and provide long-term strategies for pigeon control.

Conclusion

Deterring pigeons from your property requires a combination of strategies that disrupt their behavior, make the environment less attractive, and prevent access to roosting and nesting spots. By utilizing natural deterrents, physical barriers, sonic and visual deterrents, and making environmental modifications, you can effectively get pigeons away from your property. Remember to be consistent in your efforts and regularly maintain deterrent measures to ensure long-term success. With patience and perseverance, you can enjoy a pigeon-free environment that is clean, safe, and free from the disturbances caused by pigeons.