Pigeon Patrol is happy to pass on some Pigeon Prevention Guidelines
Urban pigeons are descendants of the Rock Dove, a species of pigeon domesticated by humans for food and as pets. Birds that were released or escaped became today’s city pigeons.
Pigeons can carry diseases and parasites that can be transmitted to humans, including histoplasmosis, cryptococcosis, and psittacosis.
Pigeons have no natural enemies in urban areas and reproduce quickly. Pigeon overpopulation can lead to increased property damage and higher disease rates among pigeons. Accumulated bird debris may attract mice, rats, and flies.Pigeon droppings are as much a concern as the pigeons themselves. On average, a well-fed pigeon deposits 25 pounds of droppings a year. Pigeon feces are unsightly and can damage buildings, vehicles, trees, shrubs, lawns, benches and park fountains.
Pigeons have four basic needs in order to survive: food, shelter, the ability to reproduce, and safety from predators. If any of these basic needs are disrupted, the pigeons will move away.
Food
Pigeons will eat anything they can fit into their bill. If they cannot find food in an area, they will look for it elsewhere. Follow these steps to keep pigeons from eating at your house:
- Don’t feed the pigeons.
- Remove unsecured bird feeders and routinely clean up spilled seed.
- Cover trash cans and keep area around the cans clean.
- Don’t leave uneaten pet food outside.
- Pick up after your pets. Pigeons will eat pet waste.
- Empty containers of water.
Shelter
Pigeons seek shelter at night and congregate at roosting sites during the day. Pigeons feel safe in a sheltered area where they are not easily seen. In urban areas, pigeons roost in trees, abandoned structures, rafters, beams, along building eaves and awnings, and under bridges. These areas can be easily modified to discourage roosting.
- Block access to interior roosting and nesting sites by using Ultra-flex Bird Spikes, bird netting or wire mesh.
- Bird Spikes can be attached to any area where pigeons roost. These devices consist of a solid base with dull prongs sticking out at all angles. This prevents birds from landing.
- Apartment residents can install sonic and ultrasonic bird repellers to deter the pigeons.
Breeding
Remove nests to discourage breeding. Pigeons will reuse the same nest throughout a breeding season. Keep removing any rebuilt nests. After a few failed attempts, the pigeons will nest somewhere else.
Safety
In an urban environment, pigeons have few natural predators. However, by instinct, pigeons have a fear of being preyed upon. Pigeons may be deterred from locations by hanging “frightening” devices, but these items will only deter the birds for so long.
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) Now shipping World Wide.