Feral pigeon populations have exploded in urban areas across the UK, covering properties in toxic waste, damaging rooftops, and spreading germs and diseases at a frightening rate.
As a property owner, living with pigeons can be a complete nightmare especially since this species will often return to the same nesting spots year after year once they have found a suitable location near a reliable food source.
Bird netting, spikes, wire, gel, falconry, trapping, and shooting are just some of the ways to get rid of pigeons but with strict animal welfare regulations in place, only a qualified pest control technician should attempt any of these methods.
Fear not. At Pest Solutions, we have been dealing with pigeons for over 20 years and know exactly how to prevent pigeons from landing on any property, specialising in finding the right and safest way to get rid of any pest bird infestation.
We don’t just remove pigeons either, we keep birds away for good with a selection of tried and tested bird control methods at the disposal of our BPCA accredited Pest Control technicians.
If you are wondering how to get rid of pigeons and help keep pigeons away once they are gone, you have come to the right place!
How to get rid of pigeons without hurting them
In the vast majority of situations, there is no need to harm, hurt, or kill pigeons to prevent them from targeting your property.
Keep pigeons from your roof with the following cutting-edge bird control solutions.
Pigeon Spikes
They sound brutal, but pigeons spikes aren’t there to impale pigeons, simply to prevent them from landing nearby.
Rather than sharp points, these ‘spikes’ are actually blunt and make it incredibly difficult and uncomfortable for larger birds such as gulls and pigeons to land and roost nearby.
They are an excellent way to keep pigeons away from ledges, window sills, and other narrow spaces where netting installation would not be possible.
Pigeon Netting
Protect your roof space with bird netting that will make it impossible for pigeons to access their favourite nesting spots.
Bird netting doesn’t just deter pigeons, it puts a physical barrier between them and where they want to go, forcing them to look elsewhere for potential roosting and nesting sites.
Netting is one of the only sure-fire way to stop pigeons from nesting and landing on your property and widely considered as the number one bird control solution.
Our smart pigeons netting is highly discreet, designed to be as unnoticeable as possible and maximises the natural light it permits whilst eliminating harmful UV rays.
Our netting can also be used to protect solar panels with no impact on the effectiveness of the solar PV system.
Specialist Bird Removal Services
In the vast majority of situations, the installation of bird netting, bird spikes, bird wire, or Avishock will be more than enough to repel pigeons and keep them away for good.
However, in some instances, the population will already be so large that it is impossible to discourage pigeons through deterrents alone and more direct action will be required.
Some of the specialist bird removal services we offer include:
Falconry
Nothing will get pigeons off a roof faster than the sight of a bird of prey circling nearby.
You may have seen or heard of the hawk tasked with protecting the Wimbledon tennis tournament from the threat of pigeon activity.
Although falconry is usually not an option in urban areas, it is a service that we offer in more rural places such as estates, warehouses, and large-scale commercial sites.
Bird Shooting
A last resort option for instances where feral pigeons may congregate in such large numbers that netting or spike installation is impossible until the population has been reduced.
Bird shooting should only ever be carried out by a highly trained professional. All our bird shooting is performed by fully licensed and trained professionals who carry all the relevant certification in a highly controlled environment.
Pigeon Nest Removal
Under the Wildlife and Countryside Act of 19811 there are VERY strict rules on disturbing pigeons once they are nesting.
Disturbing eggs or removing pigeons nests is illegal unless there is a genuine health hazard to having the pigeons on your property.
Never attempt to remove nests on your own. Contact a professional pest controller from our team at Pest Solutions who will advise you on the legislation and assess your situation.
If deemed appropriate, our pigeon nest removal service can be highly effective as after one or two failed attempts to build a nest and breed in a certain location, pigeons are much less likely to return next year.
How to get rid of pigeons in your garden – Best Pigeon Deterrent Options
Your garden offers a potential feast to pigeons who will happily graze on anything from loose seed to worms and the food in your bird feeder.
Whilst protecting the entire garden with netting to stop pigeons and other birds at bay is probably not realistic, there are a number of things that you can do to scare pigeons away.
Some potential garden deterrent options include:
Decoy predators
Model owls or other birds of prey, particularly those that move or make realistic sounds, can help to keep you pigeon problem until control. Pigeons are unlikely to nest or roost if they think there is a predator nearby.
Lightweight bird netting
Protect your most important plants and fruit bushes with lightweight netting that will sit on top of your plants without damaging them whatsoever.
Reflective objects
Magpies might like shiny things, but most birds will steer well clear of any reflective object if they can help it.
Hanging old CDs on a string that will move in the wind can be surprisingly effective at scaring off pigeons.
Caged Bird Feeders
Bird feeders are a lovely idea but pigeons aren’t exactly what you had in mind.
If you want to restrict what size of bird can access your feeders try out a caged feeder or similar model where the goodies are placed several centimetres inside the feeder and can only be accessed by smaller birds fully entering the tube.
Strong smells
There is some evidence to suggest that pigeons dislike certain strong smells such as cinnamon and hot black pepper sprays and spreading these around your garden or balcony could be an effective way to ward them off.
Ultrasound Speakers
Pigeons hate the high pitched tones of ultrasound deterrents making them a good option for keeping pigeons out of your garden.
Get rid of pigeons with professional pest control
Its time to knock pigeons off their perch and take back control of your property.
Bird scarers, ultrasound speakers, scarecrows, CDs and other DIY bird control methods only go so far.
At the end of the day, the only guaranteed way to keep pest birds away from your property is to call in the pros and arrange a specialised pigeon control service.
We have been in the bird control industry for over 20 years now, and have implemented pigeon proofing solutions for every building type you can possible imagine in that time from listed building in the heart of Edinburgh to new builds in Newcastle and warehouses in the docks of Dundee.
To get rid of pigeons humanely, and permanently, you need a strategy that will remove pigeons already on your property AND exclude pigeons from returning.
Using industry leading control methods and the best bird netting and bird spikes on the market, Pest Solutions are here to help you fix your pigeon problem once and for all.
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