Pigeon Repellent - The How To Guide

Pigeon Repellent

Pigeon Identification
Commonly found in large flocks, pigeons are usually grey in color and can be identified by their pinkish-red feet and a pair of black bars visible on their wings. Their natural diets consist mainly of seeds and grains, but they will eat almost any scraps provided by humans (bread, french fries, crusts, garbage, etc).

Health Risks and Property Damage
Like most birds, pigeons can carry fleas, ticks, or mites. It has been disagreed that they also carry diseases which can occasionally be broadcast to humans through contact with either the birds or their feces but these reports seem to be predominantly unsubstantiated. Their crap however could cause damages to the paint on your automobile or the finish on a building, and their highly-flammable nesting materials can block up drains and vents.

Methods to Control Pigeons
Nature follows the law of least resistance. Unless your difficulty with pigeons derives from overpopulation, making your building or home harder to nest on or in than almost all of the other buildings or homes in your neighborhood should make them stick to less complicated targets. This section digs into each available strategy of doing this.

If you're considering poisons, traps, or other lethal measures to kill the pigeons, you should first check with you local authorities to see what control methods are legal and how to implement them safely.

Proofing Yourself from Pigeons
The 1st step in getting and keeping pigeons out of any actual area is to make it as inhospitable as practicable. Pigeons wish to nest in high, out-of-the-way places like canopies, rafters, ledges, and attics. Search your property for any places that would make an excellent protected haven and seal them off using screens, fillers and plates. Flat, open areas can be guarded by employing a tactile repellent ( debated below ).

Pigeon Deterrents
There are several techniques of deterring pigeons ; the one you pick should be based totally on your unique wants. Following is a short clarification of each:

Tactile Repellents
A tactile repellent is any device or substance that can deter a pigeon from landing on or touching a surface. Examples of these include:

Do-It-Yourself - A surface or perch can easily be made unusable with a little ingenuity. High, tight loops of chicken wire, modifications that turn a level surface into a sloped one, automatic sprinkler systems, and electrified wiring/fence kits are all good examples. Browse your local home improvement store for anything that looks like it would fit the bill.
Anti-Roosting Spike Strips – These spike strips can be attached to places a bird might perch to make it less attractive as a landing strip. They can be found online and at many hardware stores.
Chemicals - Chemicals can also be used, the most common types are either sticky and uncomfortable for birds to perch on, or can produce pain on contact with their feet. These are specialized products and can be purchased in most places that specialize in pest control.

Scarecrows
They have been used for ages to keep birds away from crops (Learn how to make a scarecrow). Scarecrow types that deter pigeons include owls, snakes, cats, and people. The key to using one of these successfully is to make it appear as lifelike as possible. Move it from one location to another every few days. A scarecrow that moves either randomly or responsively is usually more effective then one that does not. Windsocks that are made to look like animals can work well so long as there is enough wind to keep them ‘alive'.

Repellents that are Ultrasonic
Ultrasonic repellents are commercially available for every possible pest you can imagine, and for every pest we've researched they have been found to be complete failures at repelling any of them. Pigeons are no exception. Don't waste your money on one of these.

Relocation
Trapping and relocating a pigeon is a complete waste of time. Even if you release the bird hundreds of miles away, it will still be able to find its way back home in no time flat (It might even beat you back!).

Pros
Will know all of the local laws and be ready to pigeon-proof your property legally, humanely and efficiently. Make sure you ask for references and talk with others who've successfully used a professional to eliminate their pigeon problem.

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