How to Get Rid of Pigeons | 9 Humane Ways

Pigeons are fun and exciting to stare at when you are out and about. However, encountering them regularly outside your home or the backyard can be a nuisance. Not even the food part; pigeons bring a lot of issues with them. Firstly, their infestation can become widespread since they reproduce quite quickly and in abundance. So, if you don’t take immediate steps to remove them to a much safer and secluded place instead of your home, you will end up regretting the situation later.

Also read: How to Get Rid of Termites? | 7 Natural Ways

In this article, we will discuss why pigeons can be an issue around your home and how to get rid of pigeons in a humane way without unnecessarily hurting them.

Why Should You Get Rid of Pigeons?

When you think of Pigeons, you normally see the beautiful white and grey hues on a feathery creature. And, while it is true that they are very beautiful to stare at, they are problem creators too. The biggest issue with Pigeons is that they are dirty everywhere they go. So, if you find defecation stains all around your backyard or porch, you know who to blame.

Following are some of the common reasons why Pigeons are a problem:

• Cause Diseases: Although Pigeon droppings are not treated very seriously, they are vectors of several bacterial and infectious diseases. Diseases including histoplasmosis, Cryptococcus’s is common and can even cause hospitalization for individuals with severe conditions like asthma or immune-compromised patients.

• Risks of Injury: It is rare, but the pigeon droppings can result in a person slipping and falling, hurting themselves in the process.

• Food Contamination: Often noticed in the rural areas, the pigeons are responsible for cross-contamination risks among the livestock and dairy farming areas.

• Blockage in Pipelines and Drainage: Pigeons are particular about building their nests in secluded sections. So, if you notice a certain blockage in the drainage system or the pipelines, you know who to blame. These kinds of blockages are also evident in chimneys that elevate the risks of fire in a building.

List of Ways to Get Rid of Pigeons

Just because you are tired of Pigeons doesn’t mean you have to get rid of them in an inhumane way. Instead, there are constructive and effective humane ways to help you displace the pigeons to a safer spot without harming them.

We have managed to enlist all the constructive ones in this article for you to look through.

1. Try Deterrents

When you are looking for effective ways to get rid of Pigeons without actively hurting them, deterrents do the job well. Wire coils, spikes, and even the stainless-steel wiring help keep these birds out of the periphery of the house and prevent them from gaining entry into your property.

You need to install the deterrents in areas where the pigeons fly the most for the maximum benefit. Roofs and flat-edged fences are always a good starting place for you to check out.

2. Use Anti-roosting Spikes

Nesting is a very common habit with a pigeon, like most birds. So, if you make the spots of nesting or roosting inhabitable, they find it very difficult to survive in the said location and move ahead to the next open spot they find. The anti-roosting spike strips are readily available in almost every hardware store around you. Get them and readily install them around the most common roosting spots like the roof.

When installing this, also make sure that you tie in a weatherproof string above the perching spot. This hampers their roosting process and eventually displaces them from your property.

3. Use an Ultrasound Pigeon Repeller

As much as you are confused thinking about it, they do exist. Since most people don’t want to kill pigeons to get rid of them, the ultrasound repeller is the next best choice. Since pigeons, like other birds, have a profound sense of hearing, it enables them to hear sounds that humans don’t normally hear.

The ultrasound repeller is designed and programmed to emit distressing sounds that the predators typically make. Hearing the sound makes the pigeons frantic, pushing them out of their comfort zone and making them fly out to a different location. So, if you were wondering how to get rid of pigeons, this is your best bet.

4. Install Scarecrows

Typically, it sounds a bit farfetched and old folklore kind of a situation, but it works like magic. If you want to get rid of the pigeons out of the spot for good, scarecrows are an amazing way to do so. Much like the other inanimate deterrents, the scarecrow works similarly. Just ensure that you add some fabric and other objects that will move with the force of the wind.

The constant movement with the scary and giant structure is enough to keep the pigeons out of the perimeter and prevent them from re-entering your space in the house.

5. Install Reflective Surfaces

Yes, you heard it right. Pigeons aren’t a big fan of reflective surfaces. And, since they are mostly active during the daytime, installing reflective material on the rooftops or similar areas can end up making it difficult for them to keep up, thereby deterring them from entering your house.

Anything that actively reflects light is a good option for you to install. The reason why this method works is due to the avian eyes. The light reflected on the surface creates a prism effect, causing temporary disorientation in the bird. This makes it difficult for them to find the right direction while moving around.

6. Use a Pigeon Repellent Gel

If you are tired of the pigeon infestation on the roof, this is the right way to go around it. The application of a good-quality pigeon repellent gel is quite effective in keeping the birds off the roof. Not only does it make the area less inhabitable, but it also disrupts their roosting areas inevitably.

There are several varieties of pigeon repellent gels available in the market that you can look into. Just ensure that you keep them out of reach of children and pets because they aren’t safe for them. The reason why the pigeons hate the gel is that it leaves the surface sticky and non-welcoming.

7. Look and Seal the Entrances

Not just the outside of your house, pigeons can even try and gain entry into your home when they find an open spot. You must seek out those individual spots and seal them off. The last thing you want is to end up having to deal with pigeon droppings inside your house. So, keep an eye out on the doors, windows, and even the attic and basement.

If there are broken glass windows or cracked wood that leaves an entry, find those and seal them off immediately. Once the pigeons gain entry into the house, moving them out can be the right ruckus for everyone.

8. Try Out a Motion-activated Sprinkler

Like any other bird or even animal, pigeons don’t like being sprayed on with water. Installing high-quality motion-activated sprinklers works like a charm in that case. These can be installed throughout the backyard or even the porch, and if pigeons are moving around the yard, the motion activates the sprinklers and sprays the pigeons with water, startling them in the process.

This kind of experience tends to prevent the pigeons from moving in the same region again. Once it happens a few more times, you can be assured that the pigeons won’t necessarily return any further.

9. Get Rid of Food Sources

Pigeons need their food sources time and time, and if your backyard has fruit or vegetable tree, you need to get rid of them immediately. Typically, any sort of food source, even from the trashcan, will suffice the needs of the bird. So, while you are at it, make sure you eliminate all sorts of food sources that you can.

If you are looking for the best ways to get rid of pigeons, we hope this article gives you all the insights you need. Just ensure that you follow the right methods and avoid implementing methods that are non-humane and will harm the pigeons irrevocably. We’d highly recommend that you follow along with the tips we have mentioned.

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