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How do i get rid of pigeons on my roof


How to Get Rid of Pigeons: A Complete Guide [2022]

Some people call pigeons “rats of the sky.” And for good reason: pigeons are dirty birds that carry disease and can cause significant damage to your home or business.

If you’re dealing with a pigeon problem, you’re probably at your wit’s end. Fortunately, our team is here to help.

Here at Smith’s Pest Management, we specialize in providing bird control services for commercial and residential clients in the San Francisco Bay Area and Central Coast.

We’ve helped hundreds of property owners resolve bird issues, and we know how to get rid of pigeons quickly and humanely.

In this post, we’re sharing our top tips for DIY bird control and when to call a professional.

Key Takeaways

Why are Pigeons a Problem?

If you have pigeons on your property, you must act quickly. Pigeons can cause expensive damage to a property in a short period.

In fact, the US Department of Agriculture’s Wildlife Services branch considers pigeons the most serious bird pests for human habitations.

Here’s a sampling of the problems pigeons can cause:

Pigeons reproduce rapidly, generating a clutch of 1-3 chicks with an incubation period of just 18 days.

If you have a pigeon problem on your property, it’s critical to act quickly.

The longer you wait, the more likely your property is to face costly repairs or irreversible damage.

How to Get Rid of Pigeons Quickly & Humanely

Pigeons can be a highly problematic pest. In addition to multiplying quickly and driving out beneficial bird species, they can be exceptionally difficult to get rid of.

Fortunately, it is possible.

Here are a few of our top tips to get rid of pigeons naturally, no matter where they’re living.

How to Get Rid of Pigeons on the Roof: 7 Effective Methods

Getting pigeons off your roof requires some creativity, especially if your roof has pitches or eaves where the birds can nest.

Here’s what we recommend:

1. Deterrents

Wondering how to get rid of pigeons without hurting them? Deterrents like wire coils, stainless steel wires, and spikes are all low-profile additions that can prevent birds from perching on the roof.

For best results, install them on any flat surface where pigeons could land, including roof drip edges, flashing, and caps.

Pros: Easy to install, effective, non-lethal, low-profile

Cons: These solutions only deter pigeons from perching on certain surfaces, but will not keep them away from your property entirely 

2. Parallel Wires

If you want to keep pigeons off your roof, running parallel wires across the structure will keep pigeons from nesting or landing on the surface. You can install this parallel wire on your own or hire a professional pigeon control company to do it for you.

Pros: Effective, affordable, low-profile

Cons: May be difficult to install

3.
Bird Gels

Bird gels are sticky gels that you can place on the roof to deter pigeons. While the gels don’t trap pigeons, they do create a sensation that the birds don’t like, which discourages them from landing on the roof.

Pros: Effective, affordable, low-profile

Cons: May be difficult to install on steeply-pitched roofs, requires regular replacement

4. Decoy Kites

Decoy kites are kite-shaped decoy bird images that you can fix to the eve of a roof.

The kites fly in the wind and deter pigeons from landing. The method is effective but may not work if you already have an established pigeon population on your roof.

Pros: Affordable, can be effective, non-toxic, humane

Cons: Will not reduce established pigeon populations, may be unsightly

5. Lasers

Like decoy kites, lasers deter pigeons with movement. Lasers, which are usually motion-activated, flash when pigeons land on the roof, startling them and discouraging them from roosting.

Pros: Non-toxic, humane for pigeons

Cons: The birds may become used to the lasers over time 

6. Netting

Nylon bird netting can be effective for roofs that have pitches and eaves that are attractive for pigeons.

Hung vertically along the siding of a building, bird netting prevents birds from perching on the roof or surface of the building. For pigeon control, we recommend a 50mm (2”) gauge net.

Pros: Nylon netting blends in with a building’s siding for a virtually invisible appearance, non-lethal, effective to prevent roosting and perching

Cons: Time-consuming to hang and maintain

7. Falconry

If you’d like to take a natural approach to deter pigeons, hire a professional falconer. Falconers use live birds of prey, such as hawks and falcons, to scare pigeons away.

The bird handlers direct the falcons to circle a problem area, communicating to pigeons that the area is occupied by a predator. Pigeons who see the bird of prey will move on and not come back.

Pros: Effective, humane, non-toxic

Cons: Not available in all areas 

How to Get Rid of Pigeons on the Balcony

Getting rid of pigeons in a small area like a balcony is possible with a few proactive steps.

Here are our top tips:

1. Netting

Netting forms a physical boundary that excludes birds from your balcony. When hung from the roof down to the sides of the balcony, it seals the area off from further pigeon intrusion.

Pros: Low-profile, won’t interfere with views, effective 

Cons: Time-consuming to hang and maintain

2. Deterrents

Wires, gel repellants, plastic birds of prey, and pigeon spikes can be used to deter pigeons from perching on the railing of your balcony.

Additionally, deterrents like sound machines (we recommend wind chimes or specially designed, motion-activated sound devices) and reflected light are excellent ways to keep pigeons off your balcony.

Pros: Low-cost, easy to install

Cons: These solutions may lose their effectiveness over time and will interfere with the appearance of your balcony

How to Get Rid of Pigeons in Your Garden

The best way to keep pigeons out of your garden is to identify their high-traffic areas and then deal with them in a targeted fashion.

Here are a few tips we recommend:

1. Scarecrows

Scarecrows are a form of deterrent that can work as long as you incorporate movement.

Consider adding a scarecrow in the shape of a hawk and hang old CDs from the body of the bird. The light and movement will scare pigeons away as they come to roost.

Remember to move the scarecrow every few weeks to keep the pigeons guessing.

Pros: Easy to install, affordable, non-lethal, low-profile 

Cons: May decrease in effectiveness over time, does not exclude pigeons or physically protect fruits and vegetables

2.
Netting

Bird netting along sheds, eaves, and rafters can protect your outbuildings from pigeons, and prevent them from taking shelter near your garden.

Additionally, some people add bird netting over raised beds or around crops they want to protect.

Pros: Affordable, effective, prevents predation and roosting

Cons: Time-consuming to hang and maintain, netting must create a full seal around crops to be effective 

3. Pigeon-Proof Feeders

If you have bird feeders in your gardens, they may be attracting pest birds like pigeons.

To keep these birds away, invest in pigeon-proof bird feeders, which have a cage around the feeder designed to let small birds through but to stop pigeons in their tracks.

Other feeders are weight-sensitive and will dump heavier birds and pests – like pigeons and starlings – off.

Pros: Effective at excluding pigeons from feeders, will help reduce food sources for pigeons

Cons: Will not exclude or remove pigeons entirely

4.
Strong Smells

Pigeons dislike strong smells, like cinnamon and hot pepper.

To deter pigeons from entering your garden, use cinnamon or peppermint essential oil or cayenne pepper mixed into a spray bottle of water. Spray the mixture anywhere you’ve noticed pigeon activity.

Pros: Affordable, non-toxic, effective

Cons: May cause irritation for kids, pets, or adults who encounter the spray, requires frequent reapplication

How to Get Rid of Pigeons in the Attic

If you have pigeons in your attic, we recommend trying these methods:

1. Exclusion

The first step to keeping pigeons out of your attic is to identify how they’re getting in.

We recommend blocking off any possible entrances, including vent openings and cracks in your soffits or eaves, with wire mesh. If possible, consider adding a layer of nylon bird netting to cover your building’s siding.

Pros: Highly effective, affordable, non-lethal, non-toxic, minimal impact on building’s appearance

Cons: Labor-intensive, requires annual upkeep

2.
Deterrents

If you notice feces and feathers concentrated in a specific part of the attic, place deterrents like wire coils, spikes, gel pads, or plastic owls in the eaves above it. This will deter pigeons from congregating there.

We recommend using deterrents in the attic that you don’t have to move frequently (like spikes or wire coils) since they are a better long-term solution.

Pros: Effective at discouraging pigeons from returning, affordable, easy to install, non-lethal

Cons: Will not get rid of pigeons, most effective when used in conjunction with exclusion methods

How to Get Rid of Pigeons in Your Barn

Getting rid of pigeons in the barn involves using many of the same tactics to get rid of pigeons on a roof or in the attic.

Here’s what we recommend:

1. Exclusion

Use wire mesh to block off all potential entry points where pigeons could be accessing your barn. We also recommend hanging long plastic strips in the entrance to your barn, down to the level of about a foot above the floor.

This will prevent pigeons from flying in but will allow livestock, people, and machinery to move through freely.

Pros: Effective, affordable, non-lethal, safe for livestock and pets

Cons: Labor-intensive, requires ongoing maintenance

2. Deterrents

Spikes, stakes, gel deterrents, and light and sound will all work to discourage pigeons from common roosting areas and keep them from coming back.

Pros: Effective at preventing pigeons from returning, affordable, easy to install, non-lethal

Cons: Will not get rid of pigeons, most effective when used in conjunction with exclusion methods

3. Sanitation

Pigeons often roost in barns because barns provide easy access to favorite food sources like corn and grain.

Practice good sanitation in your barn: secure your livestock feed in plastic tubs with locking lids or closed-off rooms and remove any existing sources of food the pigeons may be taking advantage of.

Keep trash and manure disposal sites away from the barn or outbuildings and be sure to clean up any spilled grain or livestock feed promptly.

Pros: Can be effective when used in conjunction with other methods, will also deter other pests (such as rats and mice) from infesting your property

Cons: Labor-intensive, will not eliminate pigeons

How to Get Rid of Pigeons in Your Warehouse

Many of the same tricks that work to get pigeons out of barns and off roofs will work to keep them out of warehouses.

Here’s what we recommend:

1. Exclusion

In addition to patching all cracks, gaps, and vents pigeons could use to get into your warehouse, we recommend considering alternative door options, like plastic strips, that will keep pigeons from flying in.

Nylon bird netting can also be effective for some warehouses.

Pros: Effective, affordable, low impact, will not interfere with the function of your warehouse

Cons: Labor-intensive to install, requires upkeep

2.
Deterrents

Scare devices like flashing lights and motion-activated noise deterrents are highly effective at keeping pigeons out of warehouses.

Pair these devices with other deterrents like gel strips or spikes and place them in areas the pigeons like to frequent.

Pros: Effective, especially when combined with exclusion methods, affordable, easy to install

Cons: Works best in conjunction with other methods

How to Get Rid of Pigeons Under Solar Panels

Because pigeons love the shelter and security solar panel systems offer, getting rid of pigeons under solar panels can be complex.

We recommend the following:

1. Netting

Netting makes it impossible for the pigeons to access the panel system and can protect your entire array from bird infestation.

Pros: Thin nylon netting will not impact the appearance of your panels, non-lethal, effective to prevent roosting, perching, and damage to panel components

Cons: Time-consuming to hang and maintain

2.
Deterrents

Deterrents like roof spikes, plastic predators (we recommend models with swivel heads since they create movement), and light and sound devices are tried-and-true methods for keeping pigeons from interfering with panels.

Place them in high-traffic locations to prevent pigeons from setting up shop.

Pros: Effective at discouraging pigeons, affordable, easy to install, non-lethal

Cons: Will not get rid of pigeons, most effective when used in conjunction with exclusion methods

3. Sanitation & Panel Repair

Remove all obvious sources of food the pigeons may be eating. Clean up and store pet food, invest in pigeon-proof bird feeders, and keep trash in tightly locked containers.

While this won’t remove pigeons from your solar panels, it will make the area less attractive for them.

Additionally, be sure to maintain your solar panels. Pigeons are more likely to roost in panels that are broken or compromised. Keep your panels in good repair and have them fixed if they show signs of wear.

Pros: Effective, easy to do, prevents other pest species 

Cons: Does not remove existing pigeons  

Does Rice Kill Pigeons?

Many people believe that feeding rice to pigeons will kill them. According to popular myth, uncooked rice expands inside a bird’s stomach, killing them rapidly.

Here’s the truth, though:

Rice does not harm pigeons.

In fact, pigeons consume grain just like any other pest and will see rice as a potential food source. With this in mind, we strongly advise avoiding rice or poison as a DIY pigeon control method.

How do Pest Control Experts Get Rid of Pigeons?

If your DIY methods haven’t been effective to get rid of pigeons, or you simply want a stronger approach, it’s time to contact a bird control expert.

We know pigeon control can be a complex job, so we follow a proven system to get these birds off your property.

Here’s what you can expect when you work with us:

Bird Netting

As we’ve outlined in the tips above, bird netting is one of the most effective ways to keep pigeons and other birds from roosting on your property or around your buildings.

Our team takes an advanced approach to bird netting – placing heavy-duty, impenetrable nylon mesh securely around the areas you want to protect.

If you already have birds inside your building, netting will allow them to fly out, but not to return. This resolves even the most severe pigeon problems quickly, completely, and humanely.

Bird Spikes

We discourage lethal means of pigeon removal. Instead, our team uses bird spikes (often in conjunction with other methods, such as netting) to discourage birds from roosting on your home, roof, or outbuildings.

The spikes attach to your structure and make it uncomfortable or impossible for birds to land in the area. While the spikes will not harm a bird that encounters them, they do cause enough discomfort to discourage the birds from returning.

Bird Deterrents

If the pigeon problem persists, our team can use one of a selection of bird deterrents to keep pigeons off your property.

We’ll work with you to take a collaborative approach to bird removal, and ensure we’re deploying the most effective solution for your property and needs.

Dealing with a Pigeon Problem at Your San Francisco Bay Area Home or Business?  We’re Here to Help!

Pigeons can be a difficult pest to get rid of, but you don’t have to live with them forever.

Here at Smith’s Pest Management, our team helps residential and commercial customers in Northern California – from Marin to Monterey – deal with their pigeon problems once and for all.

Ready to get rid of pigeons and reclaim your property? Contact us today for a free quote: (408) 471-6988

4 Steps to Getting Rid of Pigeons On Your Roof

Pigeons suck. There, I said it. After years of people making excuses for pigeons, I’m ready to tell the truth about them. They’re terrible, they stink, they’re gross, annoying and they poop everywhere. They’re basically rats with wings, to borrow a phrase from Woody Allen.

OK, so maybe this mentality isn’t all that uncommon, but it’s important that you consider it. You can be anti-pigeon, too; it doesn’t make you a bad person. For instance, if you have pigeons on your roof, you don’t have to keep dealing with it. Maybe you like animals and you want to be humane; that’s fine, but that doesn’t excuse the pigeons squatting on top of your home. Not only is it irritating and unattractive to have a line of pigeons atop your roof, it also leaves you and your vehicles susceptible to nasty air raids.

So stop dealing with these airborne rats on your property, and follow our four steps to getting rid of pigeons on your roof:

Step 1: Remove Any Attractive Food/Water Sources

Obviously, if you have a bird feeder or birdbath, now is the time to get rid of it. Although other, more pleasant birds can use them, pigeons do have a tendency to be bullies. If they decide they like the food or water source, they’ll monopolize it. Best to just get rid of these little adornments.

Additionally, if you have any plants that produce edible nuts, those are also attractive food sources for pigeons. And if you keep the dog or cat food bowl outside, you should start putting it away unless it’s feeding time.

Step 2: Consider Scare Tactics First

The easiest way to keep pigeons away is to scare them, which can be done in a variety of ways. For instance, the use of wind chimes or reflective tape on the roof can be enough to scare pigeons. You can also purchase large fake owls or similar items that will act like a scarecrow for pigeons. However, keep in mind that pigeons will eventually wise up to your methods. They’ll realize the owl is fake after a while, so be prepared to move it around or adjust your methods in the future.

Step 3: Introduce the Heavy Hitters

If the scare tactics didn’t work, then it’s time for more drastic measures. These methods will almost certainly work, but they will require some major effort on your part. Our first suggestion is metal anti-perching spikes. You’ve probably seen these on commercial roofs and signs, but they can also be placed on your own roof. The downsides are obviously the effort required and the fact that your roof won’t look great with spikes on it. But hey, no pigeons!

You can also opt for sticky gels that can be purchased at many retail stores or online. You apply the gel to your roof, which makes it uncomfortable for pigeons to roost there. Finally, installing screens, mesh or chicken wire over areas pigeons frequent will make it tough for them to perch.

Step 4: If All Else Fails, Call in Professional Backup

You may not see them on our billboards, but pigeons are definitely pests – which means we can handle them. If your pigeon problem isn’t going away or you simply don’t have the time or patience to deal with it, please reach out to us. We’d be happy to address your pigeon problems, and can remove them in no time.

why they fly in, how to scare away with glare, scare away with ultrasound and drive them away forever

We live on the last floor, and pigeons have overcome us: they fly to the unglazed balcony, and also sit on the window sills from the side of the street and coo for whole days. It seems to be quiet, but terribly annoying. Especially in the summer when the windows are open. At night, you can clearly hear the birds stamping their feet on the metal window sills. This is real torture!

We tried to throw the cat on the balcony, but on the second day he almost fell down when he chased the dove. The cat was removed so that there were no unnecessary victims. I don’t want to poison the birds either: it’s a pity.

Is there a humane way to get rid of pigeons?

Andrey Nenastiev

lives in harmony with nature

Author Profile

Pigeons are not that hard to deal with, but you may have to try several methods until you find a truly effective one. I will not talk about deliberately cruel methods: persecuting birds with chemicals or installing nails on window sills with the point up. You can do without it.

Why doves appear on the balcony

Pigeons, as a rule, do not fly to balconies and windows just like that. There are several reasons why they visit you:

  1. Someone is feeding pigeons, including by accident. For example, a neighbor on the floor below in the summer brings water and food for the dog to the balcony, and the leftovers attract birds.
  2. There is a lot of rubbish on the balcony, in which it is convenient to make nests or hide from bad weather.
  3. Near the balcony there are comfortable places for birds to rest. If you live on the top floor, the pigeons are probably attracted not so much by the balcony itself, but by the openings of the ventilation shafts or the space under the roof canopy where you can climb.

How to keep pigeons away with glare

One of the easiest solutions to fight pigeons is glare: pigeons hate bright reflections. There are several ways to create them.

Cut strips of foil and hang them around the balcony to blow in the wind. You can also stick foil sheets inside or outside the balcony. This must be done carefully so as not to fall. It is better to buy stronger foil, you can still use candy and chocolate wrappers.

Use foil insulation - foil insulation. It is sold in rolls at hardware stores. This material is much stronger than foil and will not deteriorate from rain and wind. Folgoizol can be glued to the walls on mounting foam, fixed with roofing screws or bars. The last method is the most correct and reliable.

Hang old CDs on the balcony. They will spin in the wind and glare.

If you decide to glaze the balcony, you can leave foilizol - it will work as a heater. Source: Balconies and Windows CDs are pierced with a nail and hung on wire or rope. Source: "100 Hares"

Paint the window sill with paint that shines in the sun.

Place a large mirror on the balcony. True, the mirror will give glare only in one direction.

Hang balloons with glitter on the railing. Ordinary balloons will burst quickly, helium balloons will last a little longer, but they are also short-lived.

Use a laser pointer. Pigeons are scared by a laser beam. This method is ineffective, since the battery in the pointer will quickly run out, especially if you keep it on the balcony in the cold. It is better to use a pointer to drive the pigeons by hand without getting up from the sofa.

How to scare pigeons

Most likely, the same pigeons fly to the balcony and windows every day, not different ones. To drive the birds away from their usual place, you need to intimidate them. Here's how to do it.

Water the pigeons. They don't like to be wet: it's so hard to fly. Birds can be watered with a water gun or a spray bottle if you can get close. You can also extend a garden hose: connect one end to a tap, and fix the other end to a balcony and attach a sprinkler. When the pigeons arrive, turn on the faucet. You may have to water the pigeons for more than one day until they develop a reflex: it is dangerous to sit here - you will get wet.

But there is a problem: you have to be at home when the pigeons arrive. If you only come in the evening, and the pigeons are circling all day, this method will not help.

To scare with sound and ultrasound. Pigeons cannot stand heavy music, rustling and sounds of birds of prey. They say it's good to include AC/DC recordings interspersed with a hawk's call. It takes time for this to work - maybe a few days. After such methods, the pigeons may disappear, but it is not clear how all this will affect the psyche of the neighbors.

There are acoustic bird scarers that operate in the ultrasonic range. A person does not hear ultrasound. Manufacturers claim that such devices scare away birds on approach, but there is no unequivocal opinion about this: some work, some do not.

Ultrasonic bird repellers cost around 2000 R. Source: Yandex Market

Set up a scarecrow. You can put a scarecrow in the form of a bird of prey - a hawk or a falcon. Pigeons also do not like crows and never live next to them, so a stuffed crow is also suitable.

The scarecrow must be large - at least half a meter high, otherwise the pigeons will not be frightened.

If you are too lazy to look for a stuffed bird or they are too expensive, a large soft toy with glass eyes will do. It is advisable to rub the eyes to a shine so that they imitate the gaze of a predator.

There are also such balls with imitation of the eyes of a bird of prey. Photo editor T-Zh Maxim Koposov says that only the vinyl ball helped him cope with the pigeons. You can buy stuffed birds of prey at Ozone Stuffed birds of prey can be found at Avito. They are often sold by hunters

How to prevent pigeons from landing on the balcony

You can physically restrict the landing of birds on the structure of the house. The most obvious way is to glaze the balcony and reduce the width of the window sills. But this is not always possible. Here are cheaper and less time-consuming ways.

Cover the balcony with a net. Polymer nets are sold in gardening stores. It is better not to use fishing nets, as the birds will get tangled in them, and there will be even more noise.

To close the middle balcony, a polymer mesh will be required for 1000-1500 R. Source: "Satom"

Pull ropes on window sills. Ropes or fishing lines are stretched just above the surface of the window sill so that it cannot be landed on. It is not difficult to do this on the balcony railing, but it is dangerous to stretch the line, leaning out of the window of the ninth floor.

Lubricate window sills with Vaseline. The idea is to make the pigeons' legs slide off the surface when the birds try to sit down. In addition to vaseline, vegetable oil and PVA glue are used. The method is simple, but ineffective: the funds will quickly be washed away by rain, and you can also ruin the window sills.

Install anti-additive barrier. This is a professional bird control sticky tape with spikes. Despite the threatening appearance, such a tape does not harm the birds.

Spikes not sharpened. They prevent the pigeons from landing, but do not hurt them. Source: Deka trading house

Other methods

In addition to the above methods, pigeons can be repelled with the help of smells. Cloves, black or red pepper, cinnamon are scattered across the balcony. Some use naphthalene. There are also special sprays based on essential oils to scare away birds. All this is short-term: smells on an open balcony or window sill will quickly disappear.

The idea of ​​letting the cat out on the balcony is dangerous for the cat. This method works well only in combination with a polymer mesh. The net will prevent the pigeons from landing and will not allow the cat to fall out of the balcony in the excitement of hunting. At the same time, the cat will be able to drive away the birds on the way.

How to deal with pigeons

  1. Pigeons will stop coming if it is inconvenient for them to land. Stretch the fishing line on the balcony, and install the tape with spikes on the window sills.
  2. Hang old discs, foil or other materials on the balcony that create glare. Pigeons don't like that.
  3. You can spray birds with water or scare away with ultrasound. But the first, most likely, will not be appreciated by passers-by, whom you risk accidentally pouring.
  4. It's better to leave the cat as heavy artillery when you pull the line.

What to do? Readers ask - experts answer

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Description of effective ways to scare away pigeons from a balcony or roof0002 Author: Mykhailo

Pigeons are a big problem for people living in modern high-rise buildings. The dove on the balcony gives the residents a lot of problems - the birds coo, arrange nests and pollute the balcony with droppings. But how to get rid of pigeons so that they no longer sit on the roof or balcony? To do this, you can use methods only not prohibited by the legislation of your country!

Before taking any action, please check your local environmental laws and find out what methods are allowed in your area!

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