It will come as no surprise to most people to learn that there is an estimated one pigeon for every three people in the UK. It is a bird you see daily when walking around any urbanised area. While pigeons were once a domesticated animal, this non-native species has since spread and multiplied, causing a number of problems. They are now notorious for damaging buildings, leaving droppings, causing noise disturbances, and even being a health hazard. Thankfully, there are ways to deter this growing pest species and ensure they don’t nest on your property.
If you are interested in learning more about what home remedies get rid of pigeons and what is drawing them to your property, then keep reading.
Why do pigeons nest on properties?
To effectively implement a bird control strategy that suits your requirements, it is important to understand what it is that is attracting pigeons to your property. Drawing on our own vast experience managing pigeon populations, we have found three key conditions must be met for pigeons to nest; food, water and shelter.
Food
One of the biggest reasons that the pigeon population is so prominent in urban spaces is because of access to food. Walking through any town or city, you’re bound to see a group swarming around dropped food, and your property is no different. Pigeons and other feral birds prefer to feed from the floor, so they are likely to be found in the area if there are open-topped bins or leftover food dropped by members of the public. If your building or property has an easily-accessible food source, pigeons are more likely to nest there.
Water
The most appealing place for pigeons to nest will always have a regular source of water for them to drink from and bathe in. Urban areas with open water sources such as fountains, pools or even areas of your property roof that collect water are more likely to attract them.
Shelter
Pigeons will often nest on properties that not only protect them from harsh weather conditions but will also provide safety from predators. Ledges, rooftops and crevices that are easy to crawl into will provide the ideal shelter space for them to establish a nest. Moreover, if they have access to your property through a broken window or open doors such as automatic doors, you may find them also nesting indoors. During the colder months, you also notice an increased number of birds in the area because pigeons are not well adapted to lower temperatures. The heat generated in urban areas makes buildings and rooftops appealing spaces to nest and keep warm.
Which home remedy gets rid of pigeons?
Depending on the scale of your pigeon problem, there are some tried and tested home remedies that can be useful in deterring them.
Visual deterrents
There are several visual deterrents that can discourage unwanted birds from nesting. Some of the most common are plastic predatory birds or rubber snakes that can immediately alert pigeons to the area no longer being safe. Similarly, reflective surfaces such as kitchen foil or CDs hung near nests can create the illusion of movement and temporarily blind the pigeons.
Strong smells
Pigeons are known to dislike strong spices such as chilli, black pepper and cinnamon which is why placing bags of these spices around popular nesting areas can an effective deterrent. However, to remain effective, the spices will need to be regularly replaced.
Audio deterrents
Like most birds, pigeons are sensitive to loud noises, which is why many people use ultrasonic bird repellent devices that emit high frequency sounds. Only the birds can hear these unpleasant noises making them an effective and less disruptive remedy.
Physical deterrents
Another popular remedy to decreasing the number of nesting pigeons is creating physical barriers such as bird spikes, netting or wires. These are effective in preventing any birds from accessing sites to nest and make it difficult for them to even perch on the property. Often these deterrents require professional installation and regular maintenance to ensure they are working effectively.
Home Remedies versus Professional Bird Control Solutions
Above, we’ve identified some potential answers to the query ‘what home remedies get rid of pigeons?’ We often find these are effective for temporary relief, but ultimately pest birds will return without a long-term solution. Pigeons looking for food, water and shelter can be persistent and will adapt to certain deterrents over time.
If you are dealing with a large population, you may require more robust measures, which is where professional bird control services come in.
How Urban Hawks can help get rid of pigeons
Whether it’s a residential, commercial or industrial property, when it comes to managing pigeon populations, we always recommend hiring a professional. For the past 25 years, we have provided bird control solutions to customers throughout the North West and across the UK. The team at Urban Hawks is trained to resolve all types of bird problems and, more importantly, know how to ensure they don’t return by devising a strategic plan. Home remedies can be great for offering temporary relief when dealing with a pigeon infestation, but it is important to understand they aren’t long-term fixes. If you are dealing with a large infestation, we always recommend employing the help of a professional bird control service to provide a tailored solution.
If you have any questions and want to learn more about how to get rid of pigeons, please don’t hesitate to contact us today on 0151 345 6854 or email us at info@urbanhawks.co.uk.