How do you get rid of pigeons

Overview:
Optical Gel is a non-toxic, low-profile bird repellent that provides a versatile solution to problems where more traditional bird control methods may not be applicable. It is a multisensory repellent gel that comes in pre-filled dishes.

Optical Gel deters pigeons by triggering multiple sensory responses. According to the manufacturer, the material emits UV light to make it appear as a flame to approaching birds.

Effectiveness: Optical Gel contains citronella and peppermint oil, which are mild and pleasant to humans, but offensive to birds. For the most stubborn birds, Optical Gel is sticky and will make any perch unpleasant should they choose to touch or stand on the product. The gel dishes are small and are easy to install.

Recommended Product: Optical gel is offered by a California company, Bird Barrier. The price per 24(PK) is $95.

4. Ultrasonic Devices

Overview:
An ultrasonic device represents another harmless solution for pigeon control. Triple Scan technology claims to recognize birds at a distance and make them go away with sound waves. The device itself has a set of modes that you can configure depending on the season.

Pigeons can hear in the same audible range that people do. Therefore, if you are unable to hear the sounds from an ultrasonic device, the birds cannot hear it either.

Effectiveness: 
Ultrasonic systems can be used in a wide variety of locations without causing human interference making them an ideal choice for areas where noise-related scaring is not an option. The exception to this rule may be where women and young children are concerned. With age, the human ear loses the ability to hear ultrasound but, in some women, and particularly in the young, ultrasound falls within hearing ranges and can cause considerable discomfort and headaches. This may have the effect of restricting the use of ultrasonic pigeon and bird hazers when used for pigeon and gull control in urban areas and on industrial sites.

Also, if you are not using electricity the ultrasonic device must be charged frequently.

Recommended Product:
The average price for ultrasonic repellents is $35. Check out the ultrasonic repellent by Bird-X

5. Plastic Owls

Overview:
Plastic owls are mostly used to scare birds from gardens, farms, and small areas like balconies.

Effectiveness:
Unfortunately, while they may provide some temporary relief, effigies like a plastic owl have little or no long-term effect on a pigeon’s behavior. The same holds true for other effigies that are recommended for pigeons.

Recommended Product:
You can find plastic owls and scarecrows on Amazon, the average price is about 20 dollars.

6. Reflective Discs

Overview:
It is an aesthetic and harmless bird repeller that you can use anywhere. The discs can hang on windows, near the garden, car, and pool. The set usually includes reflectors with three or more discs. The discs do not require much space and do not spoil the exterior of the house.

Effectiveness:
This solution helps to scare away the birds without harming them. The only disadvantage is they can be damaged by the wind. Mirror discs reflect the sunlight and blind pigeons, helping to keep them away from the area. The product is effective for small areas and you can use it to protect your house or pool from pigeon droppings.

Recommended Product:
The average cost for 16 discs is 9 dollars. The discs can have various shapes, however most of them are round. Check out a pigeon disc option here!

7. Fogs and Vapors (Methyl Anthranilate)

Overview:
Fogs and vapors are normally better suited for larger facilities or structures. The most common fog product is based on methyl anthranilate or MA. Methyl anthranilate is widely used in the flavoring and cosmetics industry to give grape scent and flavor and has been used extensively in flavoring foods (e.g., candy, chewing gum, soft drinks, alcoholic drinks, and drugs). Marketed under a variety of trade names, the product has a strong odor of grape juice which birds can be sensitive to and want to avoid. MA also has an application as a bird repellent for crop protection.

Effectiveness: 

For birds, for the MA to be effective, it must be airborne in a fog. Normally this is achieved with a hazer or fogger which suspends the oil-based solution into small particles that are lighter than air. The foggers are set on timers to release the correct amounts at regular intervals. Keeping constant pressure on target birds increases the success rate.  

MA works by irritating the bird’s sense of smell and taste and they will tend to avoid areas where the product is suspended in the air. The challenge is keeping the MA fog in the area where the birds are not desired.

Recommended Product:
Bird Barrier of America offers a formulation of methyl anthranilate.

Why Care About Pigeons?

Pigeons love cities and other environments with available food, water, and quality nesting habitat to raise young. Pigeons are most comfortable around people and you will not find them in the wild. That is not where they thrive.

But the ever-growing pigeon flocks in cities can become a serious problem when their growth spills out into both commercial and residential establishments. The constant cooing of pigeons in residential sites may be a source of irritation, but it is their droppings that pose potential health and safety risks. 

At commercial sites, their droppings end up on handrails, chairs, benches, and doorknobs and not only does the pigeon poop represent a slip and fall hazard, it turns into a health hazard when it is tracked inside of homes, businesses and/or hospitals. At residential sites, the pigeons might find your balcony to be the perfect place to hang out and maybe even to build their nest

Pigeon droppings contain corrosive matter strong enough to corrode metal -- the collapse of the bridge in Minneapolis in 2007 is an example of what can happen when pigeon droppings are ignored -- over time, the build-up can have devastating consequences. Pigeon droppings combined with a design flaw caused a tragic event.

SUMMARY

In summary, repellents can be effective in low to moderate “pigeon pressure” circumstances. Outlandish claims of efficacy should be viewed skeptically. In all cases, their use simply keeps the birds from the treated areas but does nothing to reduce the population. To achieve this objective the site must consider pigeon culling or contraception. 

- Pigeon Culling Methods: Poisoning, Shooting, Traps and Raptors
- Reducing Pigeon Reproduction: A Long-Term Solution for Pigeon Control
- Physical Exclusion of Pigeons – Spikes, Wires, Nets and Slides
- Pigeon Deterrents - Effigies, Sonic Emitters, Propane cannon
- Bird Netting: Everything you Should Know

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. nine0003

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. nine0022

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. nine0003

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.

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. nine0003

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. nine0003

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. nine0003

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.

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. nine0003

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.

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.

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. nine0003

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.

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. nine0003

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. nine0022
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

Ask your question

How to quickly get rid of pigeons on the balcony

Pigeons on the balcony are a common problem for residents of apartments and even private houses. Birds periodically arrive in search of food, hide from the rain, and sometimes even build nests. nine0003

In this article we will tell you how to get rid of pigeons on the balcony, why they arrive at all and what danger it brings.

Why pigeons fly to the balcony

Before fixing a problem, you need to understand its causes. In the case of pigeons, there are several.

• The balcony is neglected or very cluttered. It is very convenient for birds to make nests in the trash among things. It is also a good place to hide from the rain.
• The balcony is located on the last floor. Pigeons love to live under rooftops, in attics and in ventilation shafts. They also like to sit in comfortable places near their homes - which are the balconies on the top floor. nine0022
• Neighbors out of kindness or unintentionally feed pigeons. For example, they feed their pets on the balcony. Crumbs and what the animal has not eaten attract birds, including to neighboring balconies - pigeons know that there is something to eat nearby and are looking for food.
• Sometimes people store some food on the balcony. This also attracts birds.

If the problem is in the balcony itself, you need to remove the rubbish or stop storing food on it. If the reason is in the neighbors, it is worth talking to them. nine0003

Also, keep in mind that open unglazed balconies attract the most pigeons. Therefore, it may be worth thinking about glazing it.

How dangerous is the neighborhood with pigeons

Pigeons are carriers of serious infectious and viral diseases that are dangerous to humans. Among them are pseudotuberculosis, ornithosis, salmonellosis, tularemia, toxoplasmosis, etc. Such diseases occur with fever, sometimes with diarrhea, and can cause serious complications.

Pigeons carry fleas, ticks, bed bugs and other insects. If birds often stay on the balcony, then all these parasites can easily enter the apartment. nine0003

Faeces damage the finish of the balcony and are quite difficult to clean - often only repairs can save you from such pollution.

For these reasons, pigeons must be disposed of as soon as possible. And now we will tell you how to do it effectively.

How to chase pigeons off the balcony

Use a laser pointer

Pigeons are afraid of laser beams. Therefore, a laser pointer will be an excellent tool for scaring away pigeons from a balcony. And this can be done from the apartment - just shine on the birds through the window. nine0003

Hanging a laser pointer on a balcony is not worth it - the batteries will run out quickly.

Spray the pigeons with water

Any spray gun or even a water pistol will do. Birds do not like water very much - that is why they often hide from the rain on the balcony.

Pigeons need to be watered for several days as soon as they arrive. After some time, the birds will develop a reflex that you can’t sit on this balcony, because you can get wet there.

Scare pigeons with loud noises

Even city pigeons don't like loud and unexpected sounds. Therefore, you can put a speaker on the balcony and turn on the music, or better, the sounds of the cries of birds of prey - a hawk, an eagle, etc.

To discourage pigeons from landing on your balcony, turn on different sounds for several days in a row. But how the neighbors will react to this is unknown.

These three ways will help keep the pigeons off the balcony. But they have a drawback - you always need to be at home. If the birds sit on the balcony all day, and scare and chase them only in the evening, there will be no sense in such methods. nine0003

How to get rid of pigeons on the balcony permanently

Most likely you need to get rid of pigeons permanently. There are several proven ways to do this.

Place shiny objects on the balcony

Pigeons do not like shiny and shiny things. Therefore, on the balcony you can hang:

• foil strips
• candy wrappers
• old CDs
• glitter balloons

You can also put a large mirror on the balcony. Or finish the walls with foil insulation - foil insulation, which also gives good glare.

Install the dummy

A dummy hawk or falcon is best suited for this purpose. It can also be a crow, which pigeons are afraid of. You can buy such products on the Internet, for example, in Yandex.Market.

The scarecrow must be large, otherwise the pigeons will not be afraid of it. It is desirable that the wings are spread - as in flight or attack. That is the maximum of realism. nine0003

It is best to buy a hawk or a falcon - it is beautiful, spectacular and guaranteed to scare away pigeons.

Stretch the line

If the birds constantly sit on the windowsill, balcony railing, in these places it is worth pulling the line. Pigeons will never gather where it is impossible to land properly.

You can also use thicker threads, but still the fishing line is better, as it is transparent and hardly noticeable.

Install additive barriers on the balcony

An additive barrier is a special device with spikes that prevents birds from landing where it is installed. The thorns are not sharpened, so they do not harm the birds.

Such barriers can now be seen at train stations. They are specially installed so that pigeons do not spoil the facades of buildings with feces.

Glazing the balcony

The most effective, but costly way to control pigeons on the balcony.

The entire balcony needs to be glazed. The ebbs and the visor on top are made of metal, narrow and at an angle, so that when trying to sit down, the birds simply slide off them. nine0003

Ready-made products for repelling pigeons

You can buy ready-made special products for repelling birds in stores and on the Internet.

Acoustic repellers

These devices make the characteristic sounds of birds of prey or the sounds that birds use to warn each other of danger. The second option shows the greatest efficiency.

The disadvantage of such devices is that they make noise that not only scares away pigeons, but also disturbs people. Therefore, it is more suitable for the balcony of a private house than an apartment. nine0003

These devices operate on mains or batteries. Easy to install - easily attached to the walls of the balcony or the tree next to it.

Ultrasonic Repellers

Pigeons, like other birds, are very sensitive to ultrasound. They don't come close to places where they can hear it.

These units are self contained, compact, energy efficient and easy to install.

The disadvantage of ultrasonic repellers is that they cannot be used on the balcony of an apartment with pets. Animals also do not tolerate ultrasound. nine0003

Dynamic scarers

These scarers are one of the best options for a balcony because they don't disturb people because they don't make sounds. The essence of their work is to imitate the flight of a bird of prey - on the principle of a kite.

Models with large eyes on the wings are considered the most effective. And also on which there are drawings with a red border.

The installation of this repeller is simple and reliable, and maintenance is not required.

Visual repellers

Another good option for an apartment balcony. Because they do not make sounds and do not interfere with anyone. And they can also be a great addition to the interior of the balcony.

Such devices are as follows.

• 3D hanging balls. A special pattern is applied to them, which imitates the eyes of a bird of prey. The paint used is glare, which creates an additional deterrent effect.
• Figurines. They are made in the form of birds of prey - an owl, a falcon or an eagle. They can be hung on a fishing line, a strong thread attached to the balcony ceiling, or placed at a height - for example, on a shelf. nine0022

Acoustic and ultrasonic repellers are more suitable for balconies of country houses. Because they create noise that can disturb neighbors in an apartment building.

For the balcony of an apartment, the best option is a dynamic or visual repeller.

How to clean a balcony after pigeons

Cleaning a balcony after pigeons is a difficult task. Because in addition to cleaning surfaces, furniture and things, disinfection must be done. As we mentioned above, pigeons are carriers of diseases and harmful insects. And there are dangerous organisms in the feces of birds. nine0003

The cleaning itself is carried out in several stages:

1. Removal of all belongings and furniture from the balcony. The necessary textile items can be washed well in the machine. Wash furniture thoroughly and disinfect well.
2. Collection of large debris. All large debris should be collected and the nests, if any, should be discarded.
3. Dry cleaning. Sweeping is not worth it, as this will raise dust with harmful bacteria that will penetrate into the apartment and to the neighbors. It is better to use a vacuum cleaner.
4. Washing surfaces. Thoroughly wash the floors, ceilings, walls, window sills, windows, doors, etc. with detergents, preferably chlorinated ones. Because bird droppings damage almost all balcony finishing materials.

   All work must be carried out with gloves, a respirator, goggles and a suit to exclude infectious diseases and poisoning.

   The best option in such a situation is to contact a specialized company. Specialists will quickly and better cope with the cleaning and prepare the balcony for repairs and possible glazing. nine0003

   For example, our company SpetsUborka cleans balconies after pigeons in St. Petersburg in the Leningrad region. We work for the convenience of customers around the clock, every day and without prepayment. We have all the necessary equipment, machinery, chemicals and experienced cleaners.

   Now you know how to get rid of pigeons on the balcony. The main thing, when the birds stop bothering you, is to clean everything up after them.

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