Pigeon Deterrents

Nesting pigeons and other birds can cause a lot of disruption for homeowners and commercial property owners. Birds can cause noise, excessive mess from droppings, and damage when making their nests in a roof space or balcony. Problems can include damp and potential health issues. However, many excellent pigeon deterrents can alleviate the problem and improve your quality of life.

Possible solutions for pigeon problems include spikes, ultrasonic sound devices, anti-bird gels, trapping and guards to place on areas where birds are likely to nest. Many solutions are simple enough for people to install themselves, and there are a lot of options that are suitable for most settings – including various types of roof, balconies and external walls. A lot of the time a combination approach is the best way to go, as you can then use a multi-pronged deterrent that covers all bases.

Most pigeon deterrents are suitable for DIY and do not come with a huge expense, but some of the more severe pigeon problems may require professional intervention. Bird control is a big issue, and Safeguard are experts in dealing with many types of pest control including pigeons – larger birds and small birds will respond similarly to the deterrents we suggest.

Get in touch with our pest control team today for a free quote.

THE BEST PIGEON DETERRENT OPTIONS

Bird control can be an issue in any building, particularly those with pitched roofs and other areas where there is a desirable nesting space – such as underneath solar panels. However, pigeon nests can be a problem on flat  surfaces as well – and can cause issues for balconies and window sills too. Feral pigeons and other types of birds seek an area with plenty of shelter from the weather, as well as poorly-lit spaces, and can squeeze into very tight little nooks and crannies. As a result, they can nest in almost any space if the opportunity is there.

BIRD SPIKES

If you are looking for a swift solution then choosing to install bird spikes is a good option. The main idea of a bird spike is to prevent roosting, but they also discourage perching and greatly reduce the issues of bird droppings.

You need to be careful with spacing, as placing bird spikes too far away can allow pigeons to build nests between them – in this case, bird spikes may even assist the birds in making more stable and comfortable nests.

ADVANTAGES OF BIRD SPIKES

• Low-cost: Pigeons are a big problem in UK towns and cities as well as more rural locations, so extensive control is commonly required. Bird spikes are very cost-effective, making them a great choice for larger roof spaces.
• Unobtrusive appearance: A clear advantage of bird spikes is that they are so thin that they are barely visible, particularly at long distances. If you have a space where the look of a deterrent will be an issue then spikes work well.
• Harmless to birds: Spikes might look dangerous to a human, but they do no damage to pigeons or other types of bird. The slim stainless steel spikes simply stop the birds from roosting or perching and are not very sharp.

TRAPPING

A very effective type of pigeon control is trapping. The idea is that you disrupt the pigeon community, which relies heavily on social order, and the birds then repopulate in new communities elsewhere. It is a form of alternative bird control.

ADVANTAGES OF BIRD TRAPPING

• Fast disruption: With a professionally-made trapping program you can easily displace up to 70% of a pigeon community. After trapping is complete the community will take over 18 months on average to recover.
• Humane dispatching: Traps will not harm the birds at all, and it is possible to release them humanely in areas where they will not cause disruption. Traps are also discreet and strategically placed for the best results.
• Removal after trapping: Spikes can look unsightly and ultrasonic sound devices can require maintenance or replacement but traps are removable once the trapping is complete – leaving you with a deterrent-free space.

Trapping is very effective and has a lasting impact, but the one disadvantage is that it does not make the space less appealing for pigeons or other birds to nest again in the future. However, it is a discreet, humane and highly effective option.