by Pigeon Patrol | Jun 30, 2023 | Bird Spike, Pigeon Predators, Pigeon Spikes, Pigeons, Pigeons in the News, Raccoons, Sparrows
From telephone wires to building ledges to public fountains, pigeons can be found nearly everywhere in a city. Unfortunately, that often means you can find them on your property, too. One pigeon may not be cause for alarm, but if pigeons have become regular visitors to your yard, you may have a problem on your hands. No homeowner wants to have to put up with these pests, but you can’t exactly just order them to leave. What should you do when you have a growing pigeon infestation? Here’s what you need to know.
How Can I Tell if I Have a Pigeon Problem?
Much of the time, pigeon infestations are impossible to miss. Pigeons are relatively large, and their sounds are difficult to ignore. If you’re away from home a lot, or if you have a large yard, it may be easier for you to overlook a burgeoning pigeon infestation. If you find feathers, nesting materials, or pigeon droppings in your yard or on your roof, it’s a likely warning sign that the pests have invaded your property.
Will Pigeons Go Away if I Leave Them Alone?
You might be tempted to ignore the issue and just hope that the pigeons will go away on their own—and, on occasion, they will. It’s more likely, however, that the pigeons will not want to leave a place where they can roost and raise families undisturbed. This means that you’ll eventually begin to see more and more pigeons until your yard is overwhelmed with the birds. As a rule, the longer you wait to deal with a pest infestation, the larger that problem will become.
Can Pigeons Do Damage to My Property?
While some birds might be a welcome presence on your property, pigeons generally are not. There are good reasons for that: Pigeons make a mess, they’re noisy, and they’re a health hazard. They can also wreak extensive—and expensive—damage on your property, including your roof, your car, and even your solar panels. They can ruin your garden or your landscaping. In other words, these pests could end up costing you a lot of money. If you have pigeons on your property, you need to do something about it as soon as possible.
Can I Solve a Pigeon Problem On My Own?
You might assume that it would be easy to get rid of pigeons. Unfortunately, it takes more than going outside and waving your arms at the birds or shouting at them to discourage them from coming back. You might temporarily scare the birds away, but they’re likely to return as soon as you go back inside. Don’t bother using popular pigeon-removal methods such as cayenne pepper—these techniques don’t work. Putting up plastic owls and other deterrents also isn’t very likely to keep pigeons out of your yard. You shouldn’t waste time with these do-it-yourself methods.
What Can I Do to Get Rid of Pigeons?
The best thing to do if you have a pigeon infestation is to call a qualified pigeon control professional. A pigeon control company can put up structures such as netting to prevent pigeons from nesting or roosting around your property. They can also clean and sanitize the areas where the pigeons were taking up residence, helping to keep you and the other members of your household safe. Finally, a pigeon control company may offer a guarantee on its services, so you won’t have to worry about the pests coming back in the future. When it comes to pigeon control, there’s no substitute for experience and professional equipment.
How Can I Prevent Pigeons from Returning?
After you’ve paid to get rid of pigeons once, it’s unlikely that you’ll ever want to have to deal with the problem again. In almost all cases, pigeon abatement is sufficient to keep the pests away. There are some other things you can do, however, to discourage pigeons from making a home on your property. Make sure al trash containers are covered, and clean up any food scraps on your patio right away. Don’t leave pet food to sit outdoors overnight. You should also look for standing water, which can attract the birds. Finally, keep an eye out for the birds and be sure to call your pigeon control company again if you see them roosting anywhere on your property.
Source
Pigeon Patrol Products & Services is the leading manufacturer and distributor or bird deterrent (control) products in Canada. Pigeon Patrol products have solved pest bird problems in industrial, commercial, and residential settings since 2000, by using safe and humane bird
deterrents with only bird and animal friendly solutions. At Pigeon Patrol, we manufacture and offer a variety of bird deterrents, ranging from Ultra-flex Bird Spikes with UV protection, Bird Netting, 4-S Bird Gel and the best Ultrasonic and audible sound devices on the market today.
Voted Best Canadian wholesaler for Bird Deterrent products ten years in a row.
Contact us at 1 877-4-NO-BIRD,(604) 585-9279 or visit our website at www.pigeonpatrol.ca
Pigeon/Pigeon Patrol / Pigeons Roosing / Vancouver Pigeon Control / Bird Spikes / Bird Control / Bird Deterrent / PIgeon Deterrent / Surrey Pigeon Control / Pest / Seagull deterrent / Vancouver Pigeon Blog / Birds Inside Home / Pigeons in the cities / Ice Pigeons / What to do about pigeons / sparrows, Damage by Sparrows, How to Keep Raccoons Away, Why Are Raccoons Considered Pests / De-fence / Pigeon Nesting / Bird Droppings / Pigeon Dropping / woodpecker control / Professional Bird Control Company / Keep The Birds Away / Birds/rats/seagull/pigeon/woodpecker/dove/sparrow/pidgeon control/pidgeon problem/pidgeon control/flying rats/pigeon problems/ bird netting/bird gel/bird spray/bird nails/bird guard
by Pigeon Patrol | Jun 30, 2023 | Bird Spike, Pigeon Spikes, Pigeons, Pigeons in the News, Raccoons, Sparrows, UltraSonic Bird Control
Q: I live on the 15th floor of an Upper East Side co-op with windows facing First Avenue. Pigeons are roosting on my window ledge. The birds’ vocalization is loud enough to wake me up in the morning and they leave behind gray and white stains from their droppings. I shoo the birds away when I’m home, but cannot do this all day. I want to be able to open my window in the spring without worrying that the germs from their droppings will enter my room. What can I place on my window ledge to discourage the pigeons from roosting there? I do not want to use anything that could fall off the ledge, endangering a pedestrian below, or poison the birds. What is a safe remedy?
A: You should be able to open your windows this spring without worrying that a pigeon will fly into your apartment or its droppings will soil your home. While their droppings do not generally pose a serious health risk, they are still unsanitary, and gross. But your building, not you, should get the birds off your ledge. As a shareholder, you are responsible for everything inside the walls of your apartment, and the co-op board is responsible for the building. So the board needs to figure out how to get the birds to find a new home.
“Residents should not attempt a solution on their own,” said Daniel Wollman, the chief executive of Gumley Haft, a Manhattan property manager.
Write the managing agent and the co-op board a letter alerting them to the pigeon problem and insisting that they fix it. If the birds are nesting on your ledge, they are probably nesting on another resident’s, too. In the letter, ask that management also clean the ledge of any droppings.
The building should be able to get the birds to nest elsewhere without damaging the facade or risking the safety of anyone on the street below. For example, at a Gumley Haft-managed property with a pigeon problem in its inner courtyard, management suspended netting over the area to keep the birds away.
Netting will not solve the problem at your building, but there are other methods. John McGowan, the director of operations for Bugged Out Pest Management in Brooklyn suggested that your building consider using Bird Barrier Optical Gel, a bird deterrent, which he described as “awesome.”
Source
Pigeon Patrol Products & Services is the leading manufacturer and distributor or bird deterrent (control) products in Canada. Pigeon Patrol products have solved pest bird problems in industrial, commercial, and residential settings since 2000, by using safe and humane bird
deterrents with only bird and animal friendly solutions. At Pigeon Patrol, we manufacture and offer a variety of bird deterrents, ranging from Ultra-flex Bird Spikes with UV protection, Bird Netting, 4-S Bird Gel and the best Ultrasonic and audible sound devices on the market today.
Voted Best Canadian wholesaler for Bird Deterrent products ten years in a row.
Contact us at 1 877-4-NO-BIRD,(604) 585-9279 or visit our website at www.pigeonpatrol.ca
Pigeon/Pigeon Patrol / Pigeons Roosing / Vancouver Pigeon Control / Bird Spikes / Bird Control / Bird Deterrent / PIgeon Deterrent / Surrey Pigeon Control / Pest / Seagull deterrent / Vancouver Pigeon Blog / Birds Inside Home / Pigeons in the cities / Ice Pigeons / What to do about pigeons / sparrows, Damage by Sparrows, How to Keep Raccoons Away, Why Are Raccoons Considered Pests / De-fence / Pigeon Nesting / Bird Droppings / Pigeon Dropping / woodpecker control / Professional Bird Control Company / Keep The Birds Away / Birds/rats/seagull/pigeon/woodpecker/dove/sparrow/pidgeon control/pidgeon problem/pidgeon control/flying rats/pigeon problems/ bird netting/bird gel/bird spray/bird nails/bird guard
by Pigeon Patrol | Jun 30, 2023 | 4-S Gel Bird repellent, Animal Deterrent Products, Bird Deterrent Products, Bird Law, Bird Netting, Bird Spikes
Pigeons may seem harmless, but these pest birds cause millions of dollars in damage every year to buildings, ventilation systems, machinery, statues, roofs, and much more. Bird droppings and nesting materials left by pigeons pose physical problems and health hazards that can become very serious if not corrected quickly making prompt and effective professional bird control is often essential.
Potential Health Hazards:
There are many health risks associated with pigeons and their droppings. The bacteria, fungi, and ectoparasites that they and their droppings harbor are numerous. The four most common ways disease is passed by bird to human are: inhalation of fecal dust, food and water contaminated with bird feces, direct contact with feces, and parasitic transfer.
Pigeon droppings can expose humans to many diseases, including salmonella, Newcastle disease, candidiasis, encephalitis, orthosis, and toxoplasmosis. In addition, they can also carry cryptococcosis, and coccidiodomycosis, which cause meningitis. The droppings may also harbor growth of fungus, which causes histoplasmosis. Fleas, lice, mites, and other pests often live on these birds, hitching a ride to where ever they want to jump off. Pigeons may also attract other pests, such as rats, which feed on dead pigeons and food that well-intentioned bird lovers may scatter for them.
In addition to disease, bird droppings are known for triggering people to slip and fall, which makes it especially important to rid the birds from highly trafficked areas.
Damage Caused by Pigeons:
These are messy birds, leaving droppings everywhere they go, particularly near their roost sites. Pigeon droppings are not just gross, they are also full of uric acid which makes them extremely corrosive. The droppings are the direct cause of millions of dollars in damage to buildings and other structures. Particularly vulnerable are painted surfaces, awnings, signs, and other similar surfaces. A tragic example of the corrosiveness of pigeon droppings is the Minnesota bridge accident in 2007, which was found to be the direct result of bird droppings eating away at the metal bridge supports until they weakened.
In addition to the damage cause by their acidic droppings, pigeon nests can also cause damage. Pest birds will often build nests in gutters or on roof corners blocking essential drainage systems. Every year several warehouses experience roof damage, and even collapse, when drainage systems have been blocked and standing water rises just six inches. Bird nests can also block ventilation systems, which not only prevents exhaust of potentially harmful gases, but also has the potential to spread diseases. Fire is also a potential hazard. Nesting materials are usually flammable, consisting of twigs, straw, grasses and dried droppings. When pest birds build their nests inside electric signs or other machinery there is a great risk of fire.
Pigeons are creatures of habit and highly social. Once they have found a cozy spot the will return again and again, bringing along more of their pigeon pals. Prolific breeders, pigeons can hatch several broods a year, sometimes even laying a new clutch before the previous have even hatched. Often our buildings and structures have architectural features such as drain spouts and eaves that make perfect nesting spots for these birds. Pigeons are comfortable around humans and they’re hard to scare away or deter. Once a flock of stubborn unwanted pigeons have set up shop in/on your building, it can be stubbornly resistant to removal, often requiring the services of a pest control or animal control professional. As is true of many pests that invade our homes and businesses, the first step to controlling feral pigeons is to remove their food source.
Tips to deter pigeons:
- Don’t feed the pigeons.
- Screen drains and gutters to make your property less attractive to pigeons.
- Encourage children to pick up spilled food – and teach them NOT to feed pigeons
- Keep areas around trash bins and outdoor dining areas clean
- Eliminate water sources such as bird baths, over-watered lawns, or kiddy pools.
Source
Pigeon Patrol Products & Services is the leading manufacturer and distributor or bird deterrent (control) products in Canada. Pigeon Patrol products have solved pest bird problems in industrial, commercial, and residential settings since 2000, by using safe and humane bird
deterrents with only bird and animal friendly solutions. At Pigeon Patrol, we manufacture and offer a variety of bird deterrents, ranging from Ultra-flex Bird Spikes with UV protection, Bird Netting, 4-S Bird Gel and the best Ultrasonic and audible sound devices on the market today.
Voted Best Canadian wholesaler for Bird Deterrent products ten years in a row.
Contact us at 1 877-4-NO-BIRD,(604) 585-9279 or visit our website at www.pigeonpatrol.ca
Pigeon/Pigeon Patrol / Pigeons Roosing / Vancouver Pigeon Control / Bird Spikes / Bird Control / Bird Deterrent / PIgeon Deterrent / Surrey Pigeon Control / Pest / Seagull deterrent / Vancouver Pigeon Blog / Birds Inside Home / Pigeons in the cities / Ice Pigeons / What to do about pigeons / sparrows, Damage by Sparrows, How to Keep Raccoons Away, Why Are Raccoons Considered Pests / De-fence / Pigeon Nesting / Bird Droppings / Pigeon Dropping / woodpecker control / Professional Bird Control Company / Keep The Birds Away / Birds/rats/seagull/pigeon/woodpecker/dove/sparrow/pidgeon control/pidgeon problem/pidgeon control/flying rats/pigeon problems/ bird netting/bird gel/bird spray/bird nails/bird guard
by Pigeon Patrol | Jun 21, 2023 | MBCA, pet bird, Pigeon Control, Pigeon Droppings, Pigeon Patrol's Services, Pigeon Predators
Pigeons are a very common species of bird in India. Pigeons can breed upto 8 times a year, therefore they are found everywhere. The word ‘pigeon’ comes from the Latin word called ‘pipio’, meaning ‘young chirping bird’. These young chirping birds love to create a mess and leave stinky droppings everywhere and anywhere.
Pigeons can sometimes be hard to deal with as they always wander in groups. They can mess your balcony or your vehicle. They can make consistent distracting noises which can give you a headache. They barge in your house and do not know how to leave. Pigeon droppings and nests can stink up a place. They can clog pipes, water-spouts etc. Read on to get rid of pigeons and their belongings.
How to get rid of pigeons:
In India, pigeons are protected under Section 428 and 429 of the Indian Penal Code(IPC) (no wonder they are fearless). Even if this was not the case one must always go for non-violent options. So here is a list of the ways in which you can get rid of pigeons and their poop
Sound distraction:
You can hang wind-chimes at places prone to pigeons. They do not like it and as the chime moves and makes sound with the wind it kind of keeps the pigeons away and gives you a pigeon-free and melodious surrounding.
Reflecting surfaces:
Use shiny materials like aluminum foil or mirror to confuse the pigeons and keep them at bay. It plates tricks with their senses and keeps them off the place.
Professional bird nets or covering:
Pigeon nets for balconies are advised but try buying nets with smaller gap holes to avoid any invasions of pigeons.
Pigeon repellents:
You can use organic, home-made pigeon repellents. It can be effective in keeping pigeons away from the balcony or windows. (Providing you with a comparatively clean floor.)
Cover things up:
Pigeons can create a lot of mess out of open trash bins. Keep your trash covered if it is kept in an accessible place for pigeons to avoid any spill and mess.
Pigeons are not pets:
Pigeons are not pets and don’t treat them like one. Discourage people from feeding these nasty, parasite-carrying pigeons to stop them from coming back. Do not make them habitual of a place they can get food from as it will also become a place they use for frequent stinky white droppings.
Introduce fear:
It is said that pigeons are sort of taken aback by owls and snakes. You cannot get a real one but you can get a plastic owl or a rubber snake for your balcony or workspace, keep them in a corner most visited by the pigeons. It is a short-term trick to get rid of the pigeons.
Source
Pigeon Patrol Products & Services is the leading manufacturer and distributor or bird deterrent (control) products in Canada. Pigeon Patrol products have solved pest bird problems in industrial, commercial, and residential settings since 2000, by using safe and humane bird
deterrents with only bird and animal friendly solutions. At Pigeon Patrol, we manufacture and offer a variety of bird deterrents, ranging from Ultra-flex Bird Spikes with UV protection, Bird Netting, 4-S Bird Gel and the best Ultrasonic and audible sound devices on the market today.
Voted Best Canadian wholesaler for Bird Deterrent products ten years in a row.
Contact us at 1 877-4-NO-BIRD,(604) 585-9279 or visit our website at www.pigeonpatrol.ca
Pigeon/Pigeon Patrol / Pigeons Roosing / Vancouver Pigeon Control / Bird Spikes / Bird Control / Bird Deterrent / PIgeon Deterrent / Surrey Pigeon Control / Pest / Seagull deterrent / Vancouver Pigeon Blog / Birds Inside Home / Pigeons in the cities / Ice Pigeons / What to do about pigeons / sparrows, Damage by Sparrows, How to Keep Raccoons Away, Why Are Raccoons Considered Pests / De-fence / Pigeon Nesting / Bird Droppings / Pigeon Dropping / woodpecker control / Professional Bird Control Company / Keep The Birds Away / Birds/rats/seagull/pigeon/woodpecker/dove/sparrow/pidgeon control/pidgeon problem/pidgeon control/flying rats/pigeon problems/ bird netting/bird gel/bird spray/bird nails/bird guard
by Pigeon Patrol | Jun 21, 2023 | Bird Spike, Pigeon Predators, Pigeon Spikes, Pigeons, Pigeons in the News, Raccoons, Sparrows
A pigeon takeover can really disrupt your outdoor space. One day you see a few, the next day, a few hundred. Not to mention their droppings can stain or even corrode metal and painted surfaces.
Getting rid of pigeons starts with finding the root cause and planning your defense strategy accordingly. Here’s what could be attracting them and how to humanely get rid of them.
Why Do I Have Pigeons Around My Home?
Especially if you’re not in an urban location, it can be a mystery why pigeons have chosen to flock to your home. Despite their well-known tendency to inhabit cities, pigeons can be found just about anywhere, from large farmlands to small suburban apartments.
These are the main culprits that could be attracting pigeons to your home.
1. There’s a Feast Around
Above all, the pigeon’s main objective is to eat—and their peckish beaks will go for just about anything. They might go for the crops around your home, such as fruits (especially berries), grains, and beans.
If you have a bird feeder, they’ll bully smaller birds away and call upon their pigeon pals to come gorge. There could also be some trash can or compost munchies they’re going after.
Not sure what’s giving them a meal ticket? It helps to observe the pesky birds and note where they gather. Once you pinpoint what they’re pecking at, it will be that much easier to remove the temptation.
2. There’s a Good Perching Spot
Pigeons love a birds-eye view of the surrounding area—what better way to scope out a place to feed or nest? If you’ve got some prime perching real estate around, they’ll be all the more attracted to your property.
Here are a few of their top picks for perching:
- Ledges
- Balconies
- Gutter
- Roof
3. There’s a Suitable Nesting Area
Aside from eating, nesting is a pigeon’s other main objective. They prefer flat, warm, secluded surfaces such as:
- Barns
- Chimneys
- Garages
- Window sills
- Window AC units
- Solar panels
How to Get Rid of Pigeons
Whether it’s the noms or the nesting that has pigeons hooked on your turf, here’s what you can do to keep them away.
Adjust Your Bird Feeders
Bird feeders are a major attraction to pigeons, but that doesn’t mean you need to bid farewell to all your hungry feathered visitors. By getting feeders pigeons can’t (or don’t want to) access, your favorite songbirds can have their seed and eat it too.
Get a Weight-Sensitive Feeder
Weight-sensitive bird feeders are a great pigeon deterrent (and they’ll also keep ravenous squirrels at bay). These allow lightweight songbirds to munch freely while using weight-sensitive springs to shut feeding ports for pigeons and other heavier visitors.
Use Pigeon-Proof Feeders
Pigeons are large and heavy—and they’re no acrobats. You can deter them by selecting a feeder they can’t use, such as a hanging tube feeder, suet cake, or anything with tiny perches that they won’t be able to sit on.
Put Out Food They Don’t Like
As undiscerning as the pigeon’s appetite is, there are some seeds they tend to stay away from. Here are a few songbird-attracting seeds that pigeons don’t care for:
- Suet
- Nyjer
- Striped sunflower
Avoid the Food They Do Like
In the same vein, you’ll want to avoid the seeds that pigeons find scrumptious, which are often found in less-expensive seed mixes. These include:
Use a Seed Catcher
Those pretty songbirds aren’t the neatest eaters, and pigeons will happily flock to any seed that falls to the ground. If you’re having trouble in this area, consider adding a seed catcher, which is a wide tray that hangs just below the feeder. You can purchase a seed catcher online or attach a tray to your feeder with rope or chains.
Get Anti-Roosting Spikes
Anti-roosting spikes might seem painful at a glance, but they’re more of a visual deterrent than a physical one. Since birds can easily see the spikes, they know they aren’t able to perch and won’t try to do it.
Use a Fearsome Decoy
To keep pigeons away, try putting out a realistic decoy of a predatory animal, such as a snake or an owl. Pigeons tend to wise up to this tactic after a while, so it’s more effective if you move the decoy to different spots periodically. Even still, this is best paired with other solutions and deterrents.
Try a Repellent
Ultrasonic emitters and slippery gel repellents can keep pigeons from hanging out in your yard. However, the downside is that they’ll keep other birds away too. Avoid sticky repellents, as these can trap and injure smaller birds.
Tips for Dealing With Pigeons Around Your Home
While you’re working on giving them the permanent boot, use these tips to manage the pigeons around your home.
1. Don’t Feed the Birds
When pigeons disrupt the feeding of your regular songbird clientele, it’s tempting to throw some bread or cheap seed in a separate location as a diversion. While this presents a temporary solution, you’ll run into trouble when those pigeons tell their buddies about the free food and they all make it a regular place to frequent.
Along with that, be sure to close off or remove other potential food sources, such as trash cans and compost piles.
2. Keep a Consistent Cleanup Routine
While you’re in the midst of a pigeon problem, become well-acquainted with your hose’s power-spray setting. Their corrosive droppings can do serious damage to the surfaces and finishes around your yard, so you’ll want to stay on top of cleanup. Along with that, sweeping and keeping garbage in well-sealed containers can eliminate potential food sources.
3. Deter Pigeons With Reflective Materials
Shiny materials are disorienting and can keep pigeons away from their usual landing spot. Aluminum foil, reflective tape, shiny ribbon, and your old CD collection are all great options.
4. Cap Your Chimney
While it won’t single-handedly prevent a pigeon invasion, investing in a chimney cap is a wise thing to do if you haven’t already. Pigeons have a tendency to nest in chimneys, where they can often get stuck and pass away. That’s not ideal for either of you to go through, so you won’t regret being proactive.
DIY vs. Hire a Pro
Although the risk of pigeon-related illness is low, these birds can harbor disease and parasites. A local bird control service can help you safely deal with them and keep them from coming back. The cost to remove a bird’s nest ranges anywhere from $100 to $2,000.
If you decide to DIY, it’s best practice to wear protective clothing, including eyewear, a mask, and gloves when handling a bird or its droppings.
Additional Questions
How do I get rid of pigeons naturally?
Here are a few scents pigeons can’t stand:
- Cinnamon
- Hot peppers
- Peppermint
- Onion
- Garlic
What are pigeons most afraid of?
Pigeons are most deterred by the sight of predatory birds. These include owls, hawks, and other birds of prey.
Source
Pigeon Patrol Products & Services is the leading manufacturer and distributor or bird deterrent (control) products in Canada. Pigeon Patrol products have solved pest bird problems in industrial, commercial, and residential settings since 2000, by using safe and humane bird
deterrents with only bird and animal friendly solutions. At Pigeon Patrol, we manufacture and offer a variety of bird deterrents, ranging from Ultra-flex Bird Spikes with UV protection, Bird Netting, 4-S Bird Gel and the best Ultrasonic and audible sound devices on the market today.
Voted Best Canadian wholesaler for Bird Deterrent products ten years in a row.
Contact us at 1 877-4-NO-BIRD,(604) 585-9279 or visit our website at www.pigeonpatrol.ca
Pigeon/Pigeon Patrol / Pigeons Roosing / Vancouver Pigeon Control / Bird Spikes / Bird Control / Bird Deterrent / PIgeon Deterrent / Surrey Pigeon Control / Pest / Seagull deterrent / Vancouver Pigeon Blog / Birds Inside Home / Pigeons in the cities / Ice Pigeons / What to do about pigeons / sparrows, Damage by Sparrows, How to Keep Raccoons Away, Why Are Raccoons Considered Pests / De-fence / Pigeon Nesting / Bird Droppings / Pigeon Dropping / woodpecker control / Professional Bird Control Company / Keep The Birds Away / Birds/rats/seagull/pigeon/woodpecker/dove/sparrow/pidgeon control/pidgeon problem/pidgeon control/flying rats/pigeon problems/ bird netting/bird gel/bird spray/bird nails/bird guard
