Controlling Pest Pigeons

Pigeons are one of the Mid-Ohio Valley’s most common pest birds. You see them everywhere. On billboards. On signs. On buildings. Some structures even look like they are being taken over by them. But it does not have to be that way. Implementing a bird control program will protect your home or business from the health hazards and damage a pigeon infestation can cause.

Pigeons are also called rock doves, because their natural habitat in Europe is on the side of rocky cliffs. They were brought over to the Americas by settlers as a source of food. Some of them either escaped or were released and they began to use buildings as nesting and roosting sites. Pigeons become a pest when large numbers of them begin to nest or roost on buildings and structures. Their droppings are unsightly, a health risk, and cause building materials to corrode quickly.

There are three steps to a successful bird control program: clean up, removal and exclusion. Cleanup is a very important step. Pigeon’s nesting areas have a particular smell that they can recognize. The nesting material and feces must be removed. This accomplishes two vital things. Proper cleanup improves sanitation and prevents contact with diseases caused by the birds. Respirators and protective suits are required to accomplish this safely. The other major benefit is getting rid of the pheromones that the pigeons use to recognize their home. Pigeons actually have a stronger sense of smell than most birds, and if the smell of their nesting site remains in the area then they will try to stay in the area and even build nests in exclusion efforts like bird spikes.

The second step, removal, is sometimes needed depending on the bird pressure in the area. The most effective way to remove pigeons is by trapping. Pigeon trapping consists of the use of large cage traps with one way doors. Bait and a water trough is placed inside the trap to lure in the birds. The combination of removal and cleanup ensures that the exclusion will be successful.

Exclusion involves modifying the habitat of the birds to make the area inaccessible or uncomfortable for the birds to be in. There are many types of exclusion methods, and some are more effective than others in different situations. Some examples of exclusion include installing netting or bird spike.

Headley's Wildlife Control is the Mid Ohio Valley's leader in bird control. We have attended multiple bird control training events and are certified installers of Bird B Gone products. We have the tools, training, and knowledge to solve your bird problem. If you would like us to help you with your pigeon issue, give us a call at 740-516-0689.