How Do I Get Pigeons Off My Roof

Make Roosting Areas Unappealing

• Install anti-roosting spike strips. Choose strategical spots such as window sills and ledges to deter pigeons from landing.
• Tie a string across roosting areas. Strings tied one inch above the nesting areas will make landing uncomfortable for pigeons.
• Install sloping covers to window sills and ledges. If there are no flat surfaces to balance and build nests on, the pigeons will move on to find another place to call home.
• Dont feed them. Like most animals, if you feed pigeons, they will keep coming back and the abundance of food will also attract others. It is a little-known fact that pigeons are prolific gossipers.
• Get rid of other food sources. Just as with actively feeding them, any readily available food source will have them flock into your home. Make sure that all trash is properly sealed and placed in a bin with the lid closed. If you have a vegetable garden, check the garden deterrence tips below.

Why You Dont Want Pigeons On Your Balcony

It should be fairly obvious why you dont want pigeons on your balcony. Pigeons:

• Poop everywhere
• Attract other pests
• Cause damage with their corrosive poop
• Are just a general nuisance

While pigeons arent dangerous, theyre also pretty dirty. Its best to try and sort out some balcony protection from pigeons before the problem gets any worse.

Pigeons Damage Your Landscape

Living in the city provides little opportunity for landscaping or vegetable gardening. But if youâre fortunate enough to have either, youâll need to find a way to discourage pigeons from damaging your plants and produce.

• Although pigeons are not your normal garden pest, they will, given the chance, cause just enough distress.
• Youâll need to take steps to protect your garden, landscaping, and any patio plants you may have.

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How Do I Get Rid Of Pigeons On My Roof

Pigeon colonies look for places to hide and nest and there is no better area better suited for this than the roof. When it comes to figuring out how to scare off pigeons from your roof, the best method is to figure out methods that will keep populations away from the roof.

A good pigeon repellent to consider using for your roof is bird netting or parallel wires. These two methods need little upkeep on your part and can work around the clock to keep the birds firmly off of your roof.

If you are wondering how to scare pigeon colonies from roof structures, decoy kites require less installation, but you have to make sure the birds do not become used to the sight of the decoy kite.

Falconry is the easiest method to consider since our birds mimic the same basic patterns of flight and acclimating to heights as pigeons.

Remove Nesting Materials And Pigeon Droppings

Whether you plan to use pigeons netting over your garden, use sprinklers as a natural pigeon deterrent, or hang streamers of reflective tape all over your house, there is one thing you should do before attempting any pigeon control methods: And that is to clean out all the pigeon nests and droppings in your home.

Remember that pigeon poop is particularly corrosive. It is highly acidic because of the uric acid content. This allows it to destroy a different building and roofing materials.

It can also be a source of zoonotic diseases that are transferable to humans. Remnants of pigeon nests should also be removed to make it easier to install deterrent devices such as netting, shock tape, and other fixtures.

It is best to wet pigeon droppings before removing them to minimize dust. Wear a dust mask to be extra safe.

Use warm water through a hose or power sprayer to remove them easily and to minimize contact. Soap can also help loosen them up. If you are cleaning poop off your roof, place a tarp on the ground below to catch the waste.

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Getting Rid Of Their Perches

How To Get Rid Of Pigeons From A Roof

Getting rid of pigeons from a residential or commercial roof can be far more challenging. Although some are better than others, all the solutions that apply for keeping pigeons off a balcony , can also apply to larger open areas.

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How To Get Rid Of Pigeons 6 Proven Methods

When you are considering how to get rid of pigeons, its worthwhile remembering that these birds, although they may classified as birds and some believe them to be lovely wildlife, these animals are vermin, and they are most definitely not clean birds. They spread diseases and can quite frankly be a complete nuisance. They can be destructive to your property and garden area and harbor other types of vermin and pest species that can be quite challenging to eradicate.

Clear Nests Out Of The Eaves

Pigeons that perch on your roof may actually be nesting or roosting in your attic or the eaves of your house.

If they are in the loft or attic, then you need to get up there and clean out the nests.

Once that is done, block off the eaves and any other open access points.

Hopefully, your unwanted guests will get the point and move elsewhere.

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Secure A Slinky Along The Ledges

A slinky makes use of the same principle as spikes and bird wire. It prevents the birds from landing on the ledges. The slinky moves and rolls when the bird tries to land.

Pigeons wont be able to settle or roost on a ledge.

And, slinkies are cheap. They can often be purchased at dollar stores or other discount places.

But, they are more visible than bird wire.

The slinky will need to be attached to the ledge every 6 or 7 loops to keep it secure. It can be nailed, tied, or secured in another manner.

• Slinkies are fairly inexpensive
• Visible to outsiders

Home Remedies To Get Rid Of Pigeons

Organic, homemade deterrents are usually pretty effective.

• Place âpomandersâ of strong spices, such as chili powder, cayenne pepper, black pepper, and cinnamon around your patio and exterior window sills, or wherever pigeons tend to gather.
• You can take a generous amount of these spices and wrap them in cheesecloth.
• Alternatively, simply sprinkle the spices along railings and sills. Youâll need to replenish frequently, but spicing up your area tends to be fairly effective in discouraging pigeons.
• Make anti-pigeon spray mixing chili powder, water, and vinegar and spray around the areas where pigeons gather the most.
• You can also try a motion-activated sprinkle in your garden or front lawn that can scare pigeons away when they approach.

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No Single Method Or Solution Will Solve All Pigeon Problems

Short of exterminating the birds, there is no foolproof way to get rid of all of them. Pigeons have accompanied mankind for thousands of years and, like rats, are not leaving anytime soon. Unfortunately, even the effects of lethal methods are only effective in the short-term as the remaining flock rapidly breeds back the ones that are missing. Lethal solutions often represent a harvest of pigeons as opposed to an actual control program. Both larger and smaller problems can be solved with the techniques outlined above although all but the simplest sites require some observation and planning to develop a safe and effective strategy for success.

How Do Pest Control Experts Get Rid Of Pigeons

If your DIY methods havent been effective to get rid of pigeons, or you simply want a stronger approach, its time to contact a bird control expert.

We know pigeon control can be a complex job, so we follow a proven system to get these birds off your property.

Heres what you can expect when you work with us:

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How To Get Rid Of Pigeons But Not Other Birds

Sometimes, in an effort to banish the fouling pigeons, you can end up repelling beneficial birds and even other wildlife and harm your pets. Here are the methods that can do harm along with achieving your goal of deterring pigeons:

• Ultrasonic devices – the sonic technology sends sound waves that confuse pigeons and make them want to fly away from the area. Its widely used in agriculture because it drives birds off of crops. However, the tool is new to the wider public which makes it hard to find. The device is also a temporary solution to the problem once you turn it off, nothing stops the birds from returning. Some sound devices can also harm other birds, cats, and dogs.
• Gel-repellents – the sticky film these gels create, prevent pigeons from perching on top of your roof, so the pigeons will feel encouraged to choose another spot. The problem with this solution, however, is that it weathers out, meaning youll have to reapply it. Make sure to pick up an environmentally-friendly product that isnt a polybutylene gel because it can get stuck on the birds’ feathers, preventing them to fly. A small bird can even die a slow and painful death if it gets stuck in the gel.

Eliminate Bird Baths In Your Compound

Bird Baths attract birds to your home, especially in warm areas like Las Vegas. Your bird baths can also attract pigeons as they enjoy bathing to cool off their bodies. To prevent the bird baths from becoming pigeon zones, you will need to remove all areas that serve as bird baths in and around your home.

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Ultrasonic Devices To Keep Pigeons/birds Away

These devices can be installed by pest control companies and are effective bird repellers that produce sound waves we humans cant hear, but to pesky pigeons, and other birds its irksome. This device can be effective and the high frequency will be a sure way to make birds find another place to reside.

How To Get Rid Of Pigeons In Your Barn

Getting rid of pigeons in the barn involves using many of the same tactics to get rid of pigeons on a roof or in the attic.

Heres what we recommend:

Exclusion

Use wire mesh to block off all potential entry points where pigeons could be accessing your barn. We also recommend hanging long plastic strips in the entrance to your barn, down to the level of about a foot above the floor.

This will prevent pigeons from flying in but will allow livestock, people, and machinery to move through freely.

Pros: Effective, affordable, non-lethal, safe for livestock and pets

Cons: Labor-intensive, requires ongoing maintenance

Deterrents

Spikes, stakes, gel deterrents, and light and sound will all work to discourage pigeons from common roosting areas and keep them from coming back.

Pros: Effective at preventing pigeons from returning, affordable, easy to install, non-lethal

Cons: Will not get rid of pigeons, most effective when used in conjunction with exclusion methods

Sanitation

Pigeons often roost in barns because barns provide easy access to favorite food sources like corn and grain.

Practice good sanitation in your barn: secure your livestock feed in plastic tubs with locking lids or closed-off rooms and remove any existing sources of food the pigeons may be taking advantage of.

Keep trash and manure disposal sites away from the barn or outbuildings and be sure to clean up any spilled grain or livestock feed promptly.

Cons: Labor-intensive, will not eliminate pigeons

Exclusion

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Use Low Voltage Shocks

Running electrical shock wires along their intended or favourite spots is another method.

The wire should be placed along the ridge of the roof and around the edges or your chimney stack to prevent birds from getting into the chimney.

These low voltage shocks are unpleasant, but not harmful.

If your roof attracts a multitude of pigeons, it may be a good idea to use a mesh design to cover a greater area.

Use A Noise Deterrent

Another thing you can try is to play sounds that have been specially recorded for the purpose of scaring away pigeons and other birds.

Usually things such as are recordings or simulations of birds or prey or birds in distress work very well.

Pigeons are top-notch survivalists so their instincts will prompt them to take wing.

You can even get phone apps that you can play these sounds on such as this one.

Just set up a speaker on your balcony and youll be pigeon free, play these sounds regularly and the pigeons will soon get the idea.

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Pigeons Disrupt Your Micro Eco

Often referred to as âbully birdsâ pigeons donât have the best manners when it comes to sharing. Everyone whoâs ever filled a bird feeder knows that somewhere nearby lurks a squirrel ready to spread the word that the free buffet is now open.

• If that bird feeder is anywhere near a pigeon stronghold, the squirrels should better get in line.
• No matter the seed-type or feed-type, from wild bird seed to suet, to breadcrumbs, pigeons will eat it all.

Everyone whoâs had the pleasure of observing a fully stocked bird feeder knows that there are âbully birdsâ among patrons of the feeder. Crows, blackbirds, grackles and pigeons are the biggest offenders.

• Not only will they pilfer your feeder, theyâll scare off the smaller birds.

Keep the peace by keeping bullies away from your bird feeder altogether.

How To Get Rid Of Pigeons In Your Garden

The best way to keep pigeons out of your garden is to identify their high-traffic areas and then deal with them in a targeted fashion.

Here are a few tips we recommend:

Scarecrows

Scarecrows are a form of deterrent that can work as long as you incorporate movement. Consider adding a scarecrow in the shape of a hawk and hang old CDs from the body of the bird. The light and movement will scare pigeons away as they come to roost.

Remember to move the scarecrow every few weeks to keep the pigeons guessing.

Pros: Easy to install, affordable, non-lethal, low-profile

Cons: May decrease in effectiveness over time, does not exclude pigeons or physically protect fruits and vegetables

Netting

Bird netting along sheds, eaves, and rafters can protect your outbuildings from pigeons, and prevent them from taking shelter near your garden.

Additionally, some people add bird netting over raised beds or around crops they want to protect.

Pros: Affordable, effective, prevents predation and roosting

Cons: Time-consuming to hang and maintain, netting must create a full seal around crops to be effective

Pigeon-Proof Feeders

If you have bird feeders in your gardens, they may be attracting pest birds like pigeons. To keep these birds away, invest in pigeon-proof bird feeders, which have a cage around the feeder designed to let small birds through but to stop pigeons in their tracks. Other feeders are weight-sensitive and will dump heavier birds and pests like pigeons and starlings off.

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Block Those Crazy Birds

As youve probably figured out, pigeons like to nest and sit in particular kinds of places on your house, such as on your roof or under eaves.

Youve probably noticed these guys sitting aroundyour balcony, deck, patio or yard.

You may also find themon your window ledges or roof lines, hanging out around dormers and chimneys.

The most effective way for proofing most of these areas from pigeons is to block them so they cant make a landing and start roosting.

A collection of long, pointy things can do the trick beautifully. Just check the A/B test in the photo above. One side with spikes, the other withoutWhich side is clean?

How to Block Pigeons with Bird Spikes If you have any kind of ledge on or near your roof, whether angled or curved the bird spikes linked above are a perfect solution.

Bird spikes are a humane method that is 100% effective: No bird, from crows to pigeons can physically sit or nest on top of the spiny, steel spikes.

The spikes are flexible and pretty versatile. In addition to roofs, they can be installed under eaves and overhangs, beams, windowsills, ledges, fences, gates, barns, you name it.

Installation is done via heavy duty adhesive, screws or nails.

Its a pretty quick and easy enough job to do for a permanent solution. With a plastic base, you can simply cut to size as needed.

Other Pigeon Blocking IdeasHere are some ideas for how to make your environment pigeon proof.

Whatever you do, you need something solid.

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