Pigeons are a pest bird that can roost and congregate in numbers from dozens to hundreds. At the end of the day it’s a bit gross having all those pigeons around. They squawk, make nests, reproduce, and leave droppings all over the area. It’s not great for your home or business.
This article will go over ways you can stop a pigeon infestation and take your property back from these pest birds!
If you have a pigeon infestation, they are typically there for two reasons: food sources and nesting grounds. If you can remove pigeon food sources and nesting grounds, they will be much more likely to vacate the area and you can get your property back. We recommend this method over just installing pigeon deterrence devices like bird spikes. Removing food sources and nesting grounds will eliminate the pigeon problem in the long-run.
Therefore the first step in getting rid of pigeons is to remove pigeon food sources. In urban areas, this typically means covering up garbage that the birds eat from. This means replacing open trash containers with closed trash containers and picking up garbage off the ground. If you have an outdoors trash compactor, make sure to close it when done using it and pick up stray garbage off the ground. Don’t give the pigeons any possible food sources. Also remind people not to feed the birds themselves.
If you live in a more rural area, common pigeon food sources are fruits, nuts, and seeds. Pigeons can eat from bird feeders or from gardens. Remove bird feeders if pigeons are getting into them and cover up garden plants with bird netting to stop pigeons from getting into these food sources. Pigeons in these areas can also eat from trash as well, so be sure to cover up trash cans if you have them around.
The next step in controlling a pigeon infestation is to block off bird nesting grounds. Birds like to nest in covered, closed areas that give them protection from the elements and predators. Such areas include under rooftop structures like HVAC units, in the rafters of warehouses and pavilions, underneath solar panels, in chimney tops, and on ledges of buildings.
If pigeons are nesting in a structure that can be blocked off, bird netting is often the best way to prevent pigeons from nesting there. Bird netting is applied over the areas and crevices in which birds could enter. Example areas include the rafters of buildings or awnings and the gap between solar panels and the ground. Bird netting is often the best solution to your pigeon nesting problem. If installed properly, it will last 20+ years, endure all weather conditions, and exclude birds with 100% effectiveness.
If pigeons are nesting on ledges such as the concrete edges of parking garages, a great solution is a ledge modification device like AviAngle. AviAngle converts a horizontal surface like a ledge into a diagonal surface. If birds try to land on this diagonal surface, they slip off, and the ledge birds used to have to nest on is blocked off completely.
It is not recommend to handle a live pigeon nest yourself. The birds will likely become territorial and it could be host to disease. If you misidentify the species and attempt to move another species’ nest, you could also be breaking the law. If pigeons are already nesting, consider hiring a bird control company like AviAway to address the problem. They can solve your pigeon problem safely and within the confines of the law.
The main focus should be solving the bird infestation problem from its roots. Removing bird food sources and blocking off bird nesting grounds will solve the majority of your bird problems. If you still have remaining birds flying around, there are a couple more things you can do.
You could install bird spikes. Bird spikes are short, blunt spikes that stick out and are installed on a ledge or other surface on which birds perch. These stop birds from being able to land on the surface. Bird spikes are commonly available for purchase at bird control retailers online.
Bird wire is a second option. Bird wire is a bouncy wire strung across a surface the surface it is installed on. If birds try to land on the wire, it bounces, and the bird flies off because it cannot get a stable grip. Bird wire is similar to bird spikes, but is lower visibility, and for that reason some people prefer it aesthetically.
Electric shock tracks are a third option for stopping perching birds. Electric shock tracks are installed on a surface and give off a small electric jolt if birds try to land. This does not harm the bird, but does make them uncomfortable enough to fly away and find somewhere else to land.
Summary: To get rid of pigeons, first remove their food sources and block off their nesting grounds. Cover up trash cans, remove stray trash, don’t feed the birds, and remove bird feeders. Then block off their nesting grounds using bird netting or other bird exclusion methods. If pigeons are already nesting, it’s a good idea to call a bird control company for further help.
Once you’ve removed bird food sources and nesting grounds, you’ll have solved the majority of the bird infestation problem. You can then install bird deterrence methods like bird spikes, bird wire, or electric shock tracks to prevent the remaining few birds from perching on your property.
If you’ve been having a bird problem of a bigger magnitude or for longer than six months, consider hiring a bird control company like AviAway. AviAways offers free consultations for bird control problems. Visit their website or call 844-247-3373 to set up a free consultation and get advice on how to get rid of pigeons.
