by Pigeon Patrol | Mar 19, 2016 | Animal Deterrent Products, Bird Deterrent Products, Bird Netting, Pigeon Patrol's Services
Birds of prey are being drafted in to help deal with problem pigeons posing a health risk in a Northamptonshire town centre.
Peregrine falcon Grin and saker falcon Jackson will patrol the skies above Daventry while Harris hawks Goose and Ruby are walked around the streets in an effort to scare the pigeons away.
The action is being taken by Daventry District Council in response to concerns over the growing number of pigeons creating a mess in the town, particularly Bowen Square and Foundry Place.
As well as looking unsightly, bird droppings carry disease and can erode stonework on buildings and block gutters.
During an intensive fortnight-long programme, experienced handlers from NBC Bird and Pest Solutions will fly their falcons in a wide arc around the town centre, deterring pigeons from roof tops and balconies. The Harris Hawks will be walked around the town to move the pigeons from paths and walkways.
The birds of prey will then be brought back to the town periodically to deter the pigeons from returning.
Birds of prey are increasingly being used as an effective deterrent to pigeons and other unwanted birds. Rufus, the Harris Hawk, has been keeping the Wimbledon tennis championships pigeon-free for many years, while NBC have carried out their falconry programme in a number of town and city centres in the East Midlands as well as at Luton Airport.
Jon Bailey, of NBC Bird and Pest Solutions, said: “Our falconry response programmes create a visual deterrent, letting the pest birds know that the area is no longer safe.
“The presence of a hawk or falcon quickly makes an area undesirable to feral pigeons and encourages them to establish a new pattern of behaviour.
“This is a natural method of bird control which utilises nature’s instincts to move the pigeons on – they will not roost in an area where they know there is a predator and over time pigeons will leave the area.”
Environmental Health Officers from DDC are urging people to support the programme by not feeding the pigeons. Those who do so are being reminded they risk a £75 fixed penalty notice for littering.
People are also being given an opportunity to meet the birds of prey and find out more about the falconry programme at an information event this Saturday (October 24). It will run from 9am to about 4pm in Bowen Square, ahead of the falconry programme starting on Monday, October 26.
Councillor Mike Warren, Health and Housing Portfolio Holder on Daventry District Council, said: “Unfortunately despite our efforts to stop people feeding the pigeons their numbers continue to grow, creating a mess in the town centre and posing a health risk to our residents.
“Falconry programmes such as this offer a natural way to rid the town centre of this nuisance and have proven effective in other areas. We would also urge people to support our efforts by not feeding the pigeons.”
About Pigeon Patrol:
Pigeon Patrol Products & Services is the leading manufacturer and distributor of 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 Gel and the best Ultrasonic and audible sound devices on the market today.
Voted Best Canadian wholesaler for Bird Deterrent products four years in a row.
Contact Info: 1- 877– 4– NO-BIRD (www.pigeonpatrol.ca)
by Pigeon Patrol | Mar 14, 2016 | Bird Deterrent Products, Bird Netting, Pigeon Spikes, UltraSonic Bird Control
Up until a few years ago, Kimberley was free of Columba livia domestica, the domestic pigeon. But suddenly, you could spot one or two in town, and now you can seldom walk through the Platzl without seeing them.
The image of people tossing crumbs to pigeons is fairly iconic — picture St. Mark’s Square in Venice. But not everyone appreciates the presence of pigeons. At their regular Council meeting last week, Council was asked by a local business owner, Michelle Forbes, of City Bakery, to do something about people feeding pigeons in front of hers and a neighbouring business.
Forbes says feeding attracts more and more pigeons and they are becoming a problem.
“Initially there were three or four pigeons, which is not a problem, but as he has persisted feeding the pigeons every morning, this has grown to about 30 birds that have taken up roosting on the bakery roof and surrounding roofs. This is a health issue, as the large number of birds leave bird feathers and droppings, with feathers ending up inside of food establishments, which could actually have businesses shut down.”
Forbes told Council she had spoken with the bylaw officer and City staff, but doesn’t feel there is a satisfactory solution yet.
She believes pigeons should be added to Kimberley’s Do Not Feed Wildlife Bylaw.
Mayor Don McCormick says Council had quite the discussion about where pigeons fell into the city’s wildlife bylaw.
“How broad is the bylaw? We’re going to review that,” he said. “At the end of the day, people know you shouldn’t feed pigeons.
“There is not a lot a municipality can do to stop something people know they shouldn’t do. But if you see it, speak up. Peer pressure associated with behaviour can have an affect.”
McCormick says there are a lot of restaurants in the Platzl, many with outdoor patios.
“People eat outside, crumbs are dropped. If there’s less of that, the pigeons will go away. It may not be a major issue, but we’ll pay attention.”
However, McCormick says there is a broader aspect to this beyond pigeons or deer, and that’s the notion that if there’s a behaviour you don’t like, the city has to stop it.
“There is no way one bylaw officer can cover everything,” he said. “Our bylaw enforcement does respond to complaints coming through. It’s the only realistic thing we can do and for the most part it works well.”
About Pigeon Patrol:
Pigeon Patrol Products & Services is the leading manufacturer and distributor of 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 Gel and the best Ultrasonic and audible sound devices on the market today.
Voted Best Canadian wholesaler for Bird Deterrent products four years in a row.
Contact Info: 1- 877– 4– NO-BIRD (www.pigeonpatrol.ca)
by Pigeon Patrol | Mar 13, 2016 | Bird Deterrent Products, Bird Netting, Pigeon Patrol's Services, Pigeon Spikes
The Saigon Notre-Dame Basilica in downtown Ho Chi Minh City is well known not only for its French architecture and beautiful grounds but also for hundreds of friendly pigeons there.
The birds are friendly enough for tourists and locals to feed them right out of their hands.
They usually play on the sidewalk, perch on the roof of the church or nearby buildings, and gather every time someone feeds them beans.
Many couples choose this destination for their wedding shots, as the pigeons often become a special feature that makes their photos unique.
Established by French colonialists, the Saigon Notre-Dame Basilica was constructed between 1863 and 1880.
It has two bell towers, reaching a height of 58 meters.
Hundreds of friendly pigeons often wander around the Saigon Notre-Dame Basilica in Ho Chi Minh City, and gather every time someone feeds them. Photo: Tuoi Tre
A student feeds pigeons at the Saigon Notre-Dame Basilica in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Tuoi Tre
Besides pigeons, finches also gather to eat food from locals and tourists at the Saigon Notre-Dame Basilica in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Tuoi Tre
About Pigeon Patrol:
Pigeon Patrol Products & Services is the leading manufacturer and distributor of 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 Gel and the best Ultrasonic and audible sound devices on the market today.
Voted Best Canadian wholesaler for Bird Deterrent products four years in a row.
Contact Info: 1- 877– 4– NO-BIRD (www.pigeonpatrol.ca)
by Pigeon Patrol | Mar 11, 2016 | 4-S Gel Bird repellent, Bird Deterrent Products, Bird Netting, Pigeon Spikes
Dear Porky,
My two cats, George, age 7, and Elaine, age 2, mostly get along great.
I adopted Elaine a year ago to keep George company.
But every once in a while, for reasons that are not at all obvious to me, they will start hissing at each other, sometimes swatting, and then stalk away in a huff.
They haven’t hurt each other yet, but it worries me. What should I do?
Sally
Dear Sally,
Just maybe they’re getting cranky because you ignore them while you watch endless reruns on the TV.
Just sayin’.
No seriously, cats have occasional disagreements.
They can be, you know, “catty.”
Their behavior may include hissing, spitting, swatting or chasing. If cats occasionally hiss and swat and don’t cause injury, or if they take turns doing the chasing, not to worry.
Play aggression is not a cause for alarm.
But major altercations can become serious and should not be tolerated.
Howling, yowling, flattened ears, dilated pupils, raised hackles, arched back and puffy hair are indications that a battle is on the horizon; so, you need to intervene before they get to that stage.
Staring at each other with a twitching tail is an early warning sign.
Cat-to-cat aggression is one of the major behavior problems experienced by cat owners.
If cats have unresolved issues with one another, they may injure each other, spray your house to mark territory, become lethargic, hide, refuse to eat and subsequently lose weight, experience stress and fear and even become sick.
It doesn’t sound like you have a serious problem yet, but there are steps you can take to minimize the chances that it will become serious.
Basically, you can create an environment that promotes harmony between George and Elaine rather than one in which they have to compete for resources.
Provide more than one litter box in more than one location, and let them decide for themselves which to use.
Providing a food dish for each cat or feeding stations at multiple locations can help reduce competition for food.
Multi-level cat trees or shelves make use of vertical space within the home and give cats optional places to hang out.
The more opportunity for cats to have their own spots, the better.
And it goes without saying that your cats should be neutered.
They have enough things to argue with each other about without adding sex to the mix.
If George and Elaine begin what appears to be a serious fight, interrupt them.
Make an obnoxious loud noise by shaking a jar of pennies, snapping your fingers, or clapping your hands.
If that doesn’t work, blast them with a stream of water or throw a blanket over them.
Once they stop fighting, separate them and reintroduce them gradually, even if they have lived together for some time.
Make sure they are settled before putting them together again.
Never ever try to separate fighting cats with your hands! It could result in injury to your hands, face or other parts of your body.
If you are bitten by a cat seek medical attention right away as cat bites are unusually infectious.
The Oswego County Humane Society provides spay/neuter services and assistance, fostering and adoption of animals in urgent need, humane education programs, and information and referrals to animal lovers throughout Oswego County.
About Pigeon Patrol:
Pigeon Patrol Products & Services is the leading manufacturer and distributor of 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 Gel and the best Ultrasonic and audible sound devices on the market today.
Voted Best Canadian wholesaler for Bird Deterrent products four years in a row.
Contact Info: 1- 877– 4– NO-BIRD (www.pigeonpatrol.ca)
by Pigeon Patrol | Mar 7, 2016 | Bird Deterrent Products, Bird Netting, UltraSonic Bird Control
Bungling council workers put up netting to stop bird poo falling on pedestrians but ended up trapping pigeons above a pavement.
A team working for Edinburgh Council installed the net following complaints that the birds were relieving themselves on those walking underneath a bridge.
But, despite an elaborate system to allow the birds to escape the netting, it soon emerged that pigeons were trapped inside and, in the words of one resident, were ‘slowly starving to death’.
Pigeons have been trapped inside a net which was supposed to stop them defecating on pedestrians below
The council have said netting included special pigeon ‘hatches’ which were supposed to let the trapped birds out but prevent free birds getting in.
But residents in the city say the ‘imprisoned’ pigeons appear to be struggling with the hatch arrangement and have complained to the council that the birds are slowly starving to death.
A video posted online shows trapped birds frantically flapping about under the bridge in the Portobello area of the Scottish capital.
Alex Allan, who filmed the clip, tweeted: ‘Thanks for fixing the bridge but you’ve condemned 20-plus pigeons to a horrible death.’
Mr Allan added: ‘Also they are nesting so there are lots of chicks in there too, slowly starving to death.’
The netting was put up last week following complaints that the birds were relieving themselves on pedestrians.
Local residents near the bridge in Edinburgh are angry that the problem will continue and the birds will die
Workers failed to scare off many of the pigeons before installing the netting but carried on regardless.
An internal council email, believed to have been sent from an official to a councillor, states: ‘I suspect they were actually caged in. To me this smacks of poor workmanship or is it acceptable?
‘The pigeons are still flying about inside this morning and I assume will until they die and rot/decompose away. So the pigeon poo will persist for a while longer.’
Andy Matheson, Area Roads Manager for Edinburgh Council said as many as 200 pigeons were moved on from the bridge.
He said the trapped birds could take two-three weeks to escape using the ‘outlet’.
He added: ‘If the numbers of pigeons don’t appear to drop….a section of netting may have to be removed temporarily in order to release them.’
A spokewoman for RSPB said: ‘Pigeons aren’t everyone’s favorite bird but we still need to make sure they are safe and get rescued.’
About Pigeon Patrol:
Pigeon Patrol Products & Services is the leading manufacturer and distributor of 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 Gel and the best Ultrasonic and audible sound devices on the market today.
Voted Best Canadian wholesaler for Bird Deterrent products four years in a row.
Contact Info: 1- 877– 4– NO-BIRD (www.pigeonpatrol.ca)
by Pigeon Patrol | Mar 6, 2016 | Bird Deterrent Products, Bird Netting, Pigeon Patrol's Services
Q: My elderly, disabled mom owns and lives in a old two-story house in downtown Hutchinson. It is infested with pigeons.Throughout the past years I’ve worked hard to get rid of them, but nothing has worked. Twice, I’ve rented a long ladder and climbed to heights that no one should go without a safety harness in order to try and rid her house of these rodents. The roof is complex and has over 20 roof supports for the eves. I’ve tried every nonlethal approach to deter them: sticky glue, fake owls, nail beds, and blocking their access to perches with wood barriers. I’ve considered hiring a contractor to make alterations to the house, but I don’t know if that would help. I’ve researched this subject for years and I have not found an answer, other than having plenty of hawks around to eat them. Dillon’s grocery store has metal cups spinning on their roofs in an attempt to deter pigeons. According to the store manager they don’t work. I am to the point where I would consider using poison to kill the pigeons. I don’t think that poisoning them would stop other pigeons from nesting. We need help. Is there anyone who can help us?
First of all, I think you are a very good daughter. But, please be safe in your effort to rid your mother’s home of pigeons.
I spoke with Jeff Wells at Advance Pest Control. He says as frustrated as you may feel, poison is not the option. There is a product called Avitrol to get rid of pest-like pigeons. But, it causes them fall from the sky and frighten people. Instead rethink those methods you mentioned. Wells said they should work if properly installed.
For example spikes should work if properly deployed. However, Wells said a lot of times people leave too big a gap between spikes so that they won’t work.
There is an all-natural grape extract product that has been a success at repelling pigeons at Gowans stadium. If you have walked around the area you might have noticed the smell of grapes. Though it hasn’t completely eliminated the problem, it has made a difference.
“At night there will be hundreds of pigeons on the roof of the Cosmosphere while over at Gowans there will be three,” Wells said.
Wells said the product works, but costs $160 a gallon for the grape scent, plus it’s necessary to have a special machine to disperse the spray, which isn’t cheap.
“It’s high rent, but it works,” said Wells.
Wells says your best bet is to hire a contractor to eliminate the roosting sight. Then use Pignx bio-repellent or spikes and make sure they are spaced correctly. Forget owl decoys, he says, they only work if they are moved daily so birds think the owls are real.
About Pigeon Patrol:
Pigeon Patrol Products & Services is the leading manufacturer and distributor of 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 Gel and the best Ultrasonic and audible sound devices on the market today.
Voted Best Canadian wholesaler for Bird Deterrent products four years in a row.
Contact Info: 1- 877– 4– NO-BIRD (www.pigeonpatrol.ca)
