Pigeon proofing your home

 

by Alex A. Kecskes

 

Americans have had a love-hate relationship with pigeons. While our fine-feathered friends carried thousands of messages that saved many hundreds of lives during World Wars I and II, they have also been a real foe for homeowners. The high concentration of uric acid found in pest pigeon droppings can discolor paint, stain wood, erode metal, and even crumble concrete and expensive stonework. Then there’s the health risk of bacteria, fungi and parasites that live and grow in pigeon droppings, which can carry and transmit any of 60 known diseases. The fleas, mites and ticks in wild pigeons can also carry disease. All told, pest pigeon infestations cost homeowners millions of dollars annually.

 

While some homeowners have resorted to shotguns, poisons and lethal traps to pigeon proof their homes, there are many more humane ways of discouraging these pest birds from making your house their home.

One of the most popular pigeon proof deterrents is the bird spike. Particularly useful for awnings and patio covers, the bird spikes discourage birds from landing. Some spikes are made of rigid U.V.-resistant unbreakable polycarbonate. Others have flexible stainless steel spikes. They come in a variety of sizes, are easy to install and won’t harm birds. They are ideal for discouraging pest pigeons from landing on ledges, parapets, beams, pipes, chimneys, cutouts, and light fixtures. Be sure to install a sufficient amount of pigeon proof spikes to cover an entire ledge (otherwise pigeons will get in behind it). Also, be sure to close off corners and all open sides of a ledge.

 

Another effective pigeon repellant system is pigeon proof netting. Ideal for courtyards, patio covers, and rooftops. Properly installed, pigeon netting presents an impenetrable barrier against these pest birds. Bird-B-Gone’s heavy-duty bird netting is most often prescribed by architects. Its ISO 1806 mesh test polyethylene fabric is U.V. stabilized, flame resistant and rot and waterproof. The sub-zero stable, non-conductive webbing comes in 3/4", 1-1/8" and 2" mesh sizes to deter pest pigeons. Bird Proof Netting should be positioned over window recesses, balconies or even whole rooftops to prevent pigeons from reaching nesting areas.

 

To discourage pigeons from simply landing, some homeowners have opted for bird proof slopes as an effective means of pigeon pest control. These angled slippery PVC panels are easy to install and ideal for ledges, eaves, beams and other 90-degree areas where pigeons tend to nest and roost. Pigeons simply can't get a grip and slide off the ledge. These pigeon slopes present an attractive bird-proofing alternative. The panels come in a variety of colors—or can be easily painted—to match any home’s décor. For wide ledges, the flat base simply glues to any clean surface. For narrow ledges, fins can be trimmed down. The panels can also be screwed to wood. Be sure to use UV stabilized polycarbonate panels like those offered by Bird-B-Gone.

 

 

There are also a number of economical pigeon proof deterrents that have appealed to homeowners. These “bird scare” products include iridescent reflective foil or flash tape, which create an “Optical Distraction Zone” for pest pigeons. Another low-cost visual bird scare device is the inflatable balloon imprinted with lifelike reflective predator eyes and markings. These bird repellers or scare-eye diverters are easy to hang in problem areas. Some bird repellers have iridescent foil eyes to scare away pigeons by day and glow-in-the-dark backsides to keep them away at night. They keep pigeons from landing on trees, overhangs, gazebos, patios, eaves, pool areas, and other areas.

 

Still another low-cost pigeon deterrent is bird proof gel, which creates a sticky surface that pest birds hate; yet it’s safe for birds and people. Gels are ideal for ledges, parapet walls, pipes, and flat or curved surfaces. A fast and easy way to control pigeon infestation, this non-toxic, sticky chemical leaves a surface that’s tacky and uncomfortable to pigeons. The gel skins but never sets hard, yielding an unstable surface for the pigeons to land on.