Pigeons can cause damage to our homes, and their droppings can create a lot of mess. The ideal roosting spots for pigeons are our window ledges, rooftops, and in the cavities of larger buildings. Other than the infrastructural damage, they can also cause health-related problems in humans.
Pigeon repellents or deterrents
Currently, there are several pigeon repellents or deterrents available in the market which you can easily use to get rid of your pigeon problems. Out of all the available options, some might be more effective for some cases than the other alternatives, and you can easily choose the one that suits you more. We have listed below some of the pigeon repellent options and explained where you could use them.
1. Installing anti-bird spikes
Pigeons mostly land on flat ledges or rooftops. For places like window sills, roof lines, or other ledges in our homes or some buildings, we can use bird spikes. Many manufacturers make these bird spikes in different forms and with materials. Some are plastic-made, while others use steel spikes. The base of these spikes is usually made up of flexible material, so you can easily place them almost anywhere. Before applying, clean up all the pigeon droppings and debris and disinfect the whole area. On concrete, you can use silicone to apply them, and for wooden surfaces, these spikes can be screwed on top of them. These spikes do not hurt the birds at all, and they are specially manufactured to prevent them from landing on these surfaces without harming them.
2. Installing bird wires
If you are still worried that the bird spikes might hurt the birds or they might compromise the beauty of your house, then you can use bird wires. Bird wires are nylon coated wires which are almost invisible and prevents pigeons from landing on the surfaces where they are applied. They are ideal for window sills and brick ledges and buildings that have a glass front. They work by making the roosting sites of pigeons unpleasant and discourages them from landing there, leaving these places free from pigeon droppings and the mess they make. They are considerably less obtrusive as compared to bird spikes, which makes them perfect for home fronts.
3. Applying gel/liquid repellents
These gels are used to prevent pigeons or other birds from landing on the surface. They are a lot easier to apply on any surface, even the ones that are harder to reach. These repellents are mostly used in places where you cannot apply other alternatives, such as small cavities in the buildings or houses where pigeons build their nests or tiny spaces behind the air conditioning units. These gels are not poisonous for the pigeons but can cause mild irritation on human skin, so you should be careful when applying. These gels are sticky and do not cause harm to larger birds like pigeons but can be dangerous for smaller birds.
4. Reusable pigeon nets or meshes
In a place like gardens where you do not want pigeons to be around or waste all the hard work you did in maintaining the lawn, you can use these pigeon nets or meshes. Pigeon meshes can also be used around ducts or entrances where pigeons might build nests. Sealing off any entrance with meshes would make potential roosting space for pigeons unavailable. If you wish to rid your place of the pigeons without hurting them at all, this might be one of the things that you can use.
5. Reflective surfaces
Pigeons can easily be scared off by using reflective surfaces on places where they usually land. Using reflective discs for repelling pigeons is also a harmless method that you can use anywhere. Hanging these reflective discs near a garden and porch can be aesthetic. These deterrents come in the form of two or three discs that are attached and can be easily hanged on a wire.
6. Ultrasonic Bird repellents
Many companies have come up with a modern solution to the pigeon problem with these ultrasonic bird repellents. Birds like pigeons can hear a higher frequency range as compared to humans. These ultrasonic bird repellents take advantage of this higher range hearing of pigeons and emit ultrasonic sounds of distress calls or sounds that their predators make to eliminate the pigeons. These ultrasonic pigeon repellents can be easily configured and can be used in a variety of places.
7. Using scare pigeon
You can also use plastic predator birds like owls to get rid of pigeons and scare them off. You can place these in gardens or small areas like balconies. This might not work in the long term, no matter how real the plastic owl may look, because pigeons can eventually get used to its presence.