Killing pigeons is illegal in all 50 states in the U.S. and most of Europe.
This means that the primary method of getting rid of pigeons is scaring them off and keeping them away. There are several different ways you can do this.
In this post, I will go over the different methods you can get rid of pigeons without having to kill them.
1. Eliminate Sources of Water
One of the easiest ways to get rid of pigeons is to make their habitat less appealing.
To do this, you need to reduce any water sources that the pigeons may be using to survive.
Inspect the area where there are pigeons and look for any puddles or open sources of water. These sources of water can attract pigeons and allow them to survive.
When eliminating water sources, it’s crucial to attack the water’s root cause and not just the source.
For example, if there are pools of water building up around your home, determine where the water is coming from rather than just eliminating the pool.
If you don’t address the water’s root cause, the pigeons will either wait for the water to return or return as soon as pools come back.
2. Eliminate Food Sources
If pigeons are roosting around your home, they likely have a source of food nearby.
Pigeons are highly adaptable.
While pigeons prefer to eat grains and seeds, they will also eat food and crumbs left behind by people.
If you have an open trash can or exposed trash bags, make sure that they are closed and that pigeons can’t get inside.
If you have bird feeders or pet food outdoors, it’s best to put these away or make sure that pigeons will not be able to access them.
Potential sources of food can also be found on the floor. So be sure to sweep up around your home and even around your neighborhood.
Pigeons will make it a habit of finding food anywhere they can.
3. Anti-Roosting spikes
You have probably seen these on the sides of buildings, ledges, light poles, and other areas around the city.
These are designed to make any flat surfaces uninhabitable by pigeons.
Anti-roosting spikes are one of the most effective and traditional methods of getting rid of pigeons on structures.
4. Install Motion Activated Sprinkler
Motion sprinklers will shoot an unexpected spray of water to startle and scare the pigeons away.
It’s a highly effective method of keeping pigeons away from flat surfaces. The water is great for protecting farms, fields, and yards from pigeons.
The only downside is that you can’t target higher areas where pigeons tend to land and roost.
Although you can point it upwards to target different areas, sensors are not always responsive to high locations.
5. Pigeon Repellent Gel
A pigeon repellent gel is a sticky gel that will make flat surfaces such as ledges unattractive.
When birds land on it, they’ll struggle to get out, which discourages them from returning.
Over time the pigeons will learn to stay away from these areas.
Repellent gels are easy to apply, especially in small crevices and other cracks where spikes can’t be placed.
Remember to reapply the repellent gel in areas of high activity. Over time, they can wear out and are not as effective.
When applying the repellent gel, you mustn’t use it in areas where people can touch it with their hands.
For example, avoid placing gel repellent on rails, window sills, door sills, or any other location where children or adults can quickly put their hands.
6. Install a Scare-Pigeon
Scare pigeons are devices designed to scare pigeons.
They are typically 3-D in shape and large. One of the most common “scare-pigeons” are owls and hawks.
These typically come sensor-activated or in constant motion to make them look more realistic.
When using one of these, it’s essential to move the location, or the pigeons will get used to its position.
I recommend that you move the location of the “scare-pigeon” every month – two months.
7. Use Reflective Surfaces
Birds are generally frightened by flashes of light.
In particular, pigeon eyes experience the prism effect when the light flashes towards them. This causes them to feel disoriented and causes them to fly away.
You can use this to your advantage. Purchase a reflective product designed to scare pigeons away or you can use common household items.
Some common items include CDs, small mirrors, foil. Any metallic or metal surfaces will also work.
When placing your reflective surfaces, it’s important that you place it somewhere that the sun or a light source will hit the reflective surface.
It’s also important that the light will reflect on the surface where the birds should not be living.
Purchasing specially designed reflective surfaces for pigeons is a great idea because they allow you to target every direction with a single reflective surface.
Achieving the same effect without household items typically requires more effort and more tools.
8. Shock Tape
Shock tape is a simple and effective method you can use to keep pigeons away.
This is a tape with metal wires running through it.
When the birds land on any surface with the tape, they will receive a small electric shock that causes them to fly away.
Over time the birds will begin avoiding any areas where the tape is present.
The main issue with shock tape is placement.
You need to make sure you place it somewhere that children or people can easily touch it or step on it.
You’ll also need to make sure that you are placing it somewhere pigeons frequently.
Finally, you need to place it where you can get a power source.
To make it easier, I recommend getting ones that are powered by electrical or solar batteries.
9. Seal Entry Points
Seal off any entry points or easily accessible corners is where pigeons might hide or start a nest.
The specific location will vary from house to house, so you must inspect your home.
Here’s how:
- Inspect around your home to identify the locations where pigeons are hiding or congregating. Take your time doing this.
- Seal small entry points is using caulk
- Seal small or large entry point using a pigeon net or wire. These bets have a straightforward application and are very useful.
10. Use Pigeon Nets
Place these nets over your plants, flower beds, or other surfaces you want to prevent pigeons from landing on.
Maintain at least four to six inches between the net and the vegetation, flowers, or shrubs you are trying to protect.
If there is not enough space between the net and the vegetation, then the pigeons may land freely without disruption.
It’s also good to try to apply the net at an angle. Keeping the net at an angle makes it harder for the pigeons to land on the net.
11. Block Your Chimney
The chimney is one of the most common places that pigeons and other birds try to hide and nest.
To stop pigeons from nesting in your chimney block it with chimney cover made to keep birds out.
I recommend that you avoid using simple mesh covers.
These create a perfect place for birds to build nests, especially if you don’t use your chimney that often.
12. Trap and Release
Trap and release is a tried and true method when it comes to getting rid of pigeons.
That said, it is not always practical.
Pigeons are known to return to the same location even after they have been removed, or their nests have been destroyed. There is simply no guarantee.
Conclusion
Dealing with pigeons is not easy. It feels like no matter what you do they tend to comeback in larger numbers.
In this post, I have provided 13 different ways you can get rid of pigeons. if you have a serious pigeon infestation then I recommend using multiple methods at the same time.
This post will help you get your house back once and for all, so you don’t have to deal with pigeons any more.