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 12, 2016 | Bird Netting, Pigeon Patrol's Services, Pigeon Spikes, UltraSonic Bird Control
A pensioner’s determination to feed the birds in her garden has made life a misery for neighbours, a court was told.
Each morning flocks of pigeons, jackdaws and seagulls descend on Brenda Hawkins’ lawn and wall when she puts out her seed mixture and other food.
The birds’ droppings soil her neighbours’ washing hanging on the lines, their cars are continually splattered and they feel threatened by “divebombing” birds.
“There are sometimes 80-100 large birds, mainly pigeons and the noise of the jackdaws is horrendous,” said Linda Jones, anti-social behaviour officer with Conwy County Borough Council.
Speaking at Llandudno magistrates’ court on Saturday, she said that 74-year-old Hawkins had refused to accept advice about merely using a bird feeder which would be inaccessible to larger birds.
Hawkins, of Brookfield Drive, Rhos-on-Sea, pleaded not guilty to comply with a Community Protection Notice (CPN) served on her in June, a step which was taken after previous attempts to persuade her to reduce the nuisance had failed.
Prosecutor Julia Longworth said that CPNs were introduced last year to deal with conduct considered detrimental to the quality of life through unreasonable behaviour.
‘My conscience is clear’
Linda Jones said she became aware of the problem in May 2014, and Hawkins was written to in July of that year, but she continued to feed the birds.
She ignored advice and when told in April this year she could face legal action Hawkins replied: “I’ll go to jail first.”
Diane Fredman, whose garden in Cambrian Drive backs onto the Hawkins’ garden, said she moved into the area six years ago to enjoy retirement.
“We have not been able to do so because of the number of birds,” she said.
Asked if the situation had improved since the CPN was served on Hawkins in June, she replied: “They are still there every day, the same volume and mess. It is very stressful.”
Hawkins said: “I think pigeons are wonderful birds and they don’t make a mess. They cannot defecate when they are flying.
“I know what I am doing; my conscience is clear.”
The Bench found Hawkins guilty and chairman Sandra Ogden-Jones told her: “You have not taken any reasonable steps to comply with the notice and your actions are causing distress to others.”
Hawkins was fined £200 and ordered to pay costs of £409, a criminal court charge of £520 and a surcharge of £20.
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 10, 2016 | Bird Netting, Pigeon Patrol's Services, Pigeon Spikes
A pigeon which caused a flap at the Sainsbury’s supermarket in Bishop’s Stortford town centre by taking up residence for several days has left.
Shopper Mick Sleeman was surprised to see the bird in the rafters of the Jackson Square store and droppings on the floor by the delicatessen counter on Monday evening (Oct 19).
“I saw seven or eight Sainsbury’s workers and they were all looking up,” he said. “I looked up and saw what I think is a wood pigeon on one of the rafters. I spoke to someone there and they said it had been there for about three days. There were a lot of droppings on the floor in front of the deli counter.”
On Tuesday, the branch duty manager referred the Herts & Essex Observer to the Sainsbury’s press office, but said: “We have got a pigeon. [It’s] not taken up residence. At the moment our pest control team are dealing with the issue.”
A Sainsbury’s media spokeswoman said the same day: “We are taking the appropriate action to safely remove the pigeon.”
Today (Wednesday), another spokeswoman said: “The pigeon was safely caught and released within 24 hours, and it’s now business as usual at Bishop’s Stortford.”
On the Observer’s Facebook page, Chris Murdoch posted: “There were pigeons in there this time last year. I told Sainsbury’s about it but they didn’t seem particularly bothered.”
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)
