Pigeons are common in urban areas and can become more than a minor inconvenience. Their nesting habits can create significant health challenges, especially when they settle on your property. Pigeon droppings are unsightly and carry health risks for humans and pets, including diseases like Ornithosis, Listeria, and E. coli. Dry droppings can become airborne, causing respiratory issues such as psittacosis.
Additionally, pigeon droppings are acidic and can erode metals, stonework, and brickwork. Nesting materials can block chimneys, flues, and gutters, leading to potential carbon monoxide issues and structural damage. Effective pigeon control is essential to protect your property and reputation.
Here are some effective methods to keep pests away from your property in London while ensuring the best pigeon control.
Understanding Pigeon Behaviour
Pigeons are notorious for their troublesome behaviour and often roost in large groups on rooftops, eaves, and building sides. Despite efforts to avoid directly feeding them, unintentional feeding occurs when people drop food rich in grains or leave waste bin lids open. Due to their grain-based diet, pigeons are commonly found around processing plants, urban parks, recreational spaces, and city restaurants.
Recognising their dependence on human-provided food sources and preference for specific roosting spots enables property owners to implement focused bird control strategies to deter pigeons and ensure a cleaner, safer environment on their London property.
Strategies for Deterring Pigeons from Your Property
Using Reflective Surfaces
Reflective surfaces can effectively discourage pigeons from roosting or perching on your property. Pigeons are naturally wary of shiny objects that reflect light, which triggers their flight response. Here are practical ways to use reflective surfaces for pigeon control in London .
- Placing shiny aluminium foil on windowsills or balcony rails can create an unwelcoming environment for pigeons. The reflective surface confuses pigeons and discourages them from settling in these areas. Wrapping the foil carefully ensures it remains effective while maintaining the aesthetic appeal of your space.
- Larger areas like rooftops or the edges of solar panels can benefit from using mirrors. As a solar panel pigeon proofing, Mirrors reflect light effectively, creating a deterrent that pigeons find unsettling. Even small mirrors strategically placed on windowsills can help deter pigeons from roosting.
- Hanging old CDs, which reflect light and move in the wind, can be a simple yet effective homemade deterrent. Placing them near bird tables or feeders helps keep pigeons away without causing harm. The CDs’ reflective surfaces confuse pigeons, prompting them to find alternative nesting spots.
Bird Netting
Bird netting is a practical method to prevent pigeons from accessing and roosting in vulnerable areas of your property. Installing bird netting over balconies, roof gaps, and courtyards creates a physical barrier that effectively deters pigeons.
Modern bird netting is designed to be discreet and blend with the surroundings of your property. It does not detract from the visual appeal of your home or building while providing effective pigeon deterrence.
While home and business owners can purchase and install bird netting, it’s often best to have professional pest control companies in London handle the installation. Professionals have the expertise to assess your property, recommend the appropriate type and size of bird netting, and install it securely. This ensures maximum effectiveness in deterring pigeons and other birds from accessing your property. Contact Tom’s Pest Control London for professional bird netting solutions. Our team provides effective and humane bird control measures to protect your property from avian intrusions.
Bird Spikes
Installing bird spikes is a proactive approach to managing bird infestations while protecting your property from damage. By preventing birds from landing and nesting, you can avoid issues such as droppings, noise, and potential property damage caused by nesting materials.
Bird spikes are narrow, pointed spikes typically made from durable materials like metal or plastic. When installed along ledges, signs, rooftops, and other areas, they create an uneven surface that birds find uncomfortable to land on. This discomfort discourages them from roosting and nesting, making it an effective deterrent. Unlike harmful methods, such as poisons or traps, bird spikes are a humane way to manage pigeons and other bird populations. They do not harm these creatures but simply make the area less inviting for roosting.
Professional installation of bird spikes ensures they are securely fastened and effectively positioned to deter birds. Maintenance is minimal, typically involving periodic inspections to ensure spikes remain in place and are intact. Also, bird spikes are one of the most convenient and cost-effective bird control methods available.
Pigeon Scarers
Another innovative way to keep pigeons from roosting on your property is to use pigeon scarers. These devices offer a range of innovative methods that deter pigeons effectively while prioritising humane practices. They leverage avian behaviour and instincts to create an unwelcoming environment for pigeons, ensuring your space remains clean and bird-free.
Ultrasonic Sound Devices – These devices are a modern marvel in bird deterrence technology. They effectively disrupt pigeons’ roosting and nesting patterns by emitting high-frequency sounds that they find uncomfortable. What’s impressive is that these frequencies are utterly inaudible to humans, making them ideal for urban areas where noise ordinances are a concern.
Motion-Activated Scarers – These take a proactive approach to bird control by using sensors to detect movement. When pigeons come within range, these scarers respond with sudden movements or startling sounds, effectively scaring them away. This method capitalises on pigeons’ sensitivity to unexpected disturbances, encouraging them to seek quieter locations away from your property. Motion-activated scarers are versatile and can be strategically placed in areas prone to pigeon activity, such as rooftops, balconies, and garden spaces.
Predator Decoys – Harnessing pigeons’ natural fear of predators, decoys such as owl or falcon replicas are highly effective pigeon scarers. These lifelike models mimic the appearance of natural predators, creating an illusion that deters pigeons from roosting nearby. Seeing a predator decoy triggers a survival instinct in pigeons, convincing them that your property is unsafe.
Bird Gels
Bird gels are intelligent choices that leverage visual cues to keep pigeons at bay. These gels create an ultraviolet light resembling flames in pigeons’ minds, deterring them from settling in unwanted areas. This visual illusion disrupts their natural roosting instincts, prompting them to seek safer and more peaceful locations away from your property.
Applying bird gels is straightforward and can be done on various surfaces where pigeons tend to roost or nest. The gel is typically applied to windowsills, ledges, and rooflines, creating a barrier that prevents pigeons from landing or perching. The gel’s ultraviolet light properties remain active during daylight hours, ensuring continuous protection against pigeons without harming them or the environment.
Strong-Smelling Substances
Pigeons have a keen sense of smell, and certain scents repel them. Spreading strong-smelling substances in areas frequented by pigeons can deter them from nesting or roosting.
Using Citrus Peels – Orange or lemon rinds emit a strong citrus scent that pigeons find unpleasant. Scatter these peels around areas where pigeons gather or roost, such as windowsills, balconies, or garden ledges. The pungent aroma is a natural deterrent, encouraging pigeons to seek other locations away from your property.
Cayenne Pepper – Is another effective deterrent due to its spicy scent and taste. Sprinkle a small amount of cayenne pepper on surfaces where pigeons land or perch.
Mothballs – These emit a strong odour that pigeons find unpleasant. Place mothballs in containers or dishes and strategically position them in areas frequented by pigeons.
Contact Tom’s Pest Control For Bird Control and Deterrent Services
Tom’s Pest Control offers bird control in London to protect your property from pigeons and other bird infestations. We offer bird netting, bird spikes, and solar panel pigeonproofing. Just in case the birds have already captured the roof of your property, we also provide bird removal services. Contact us now to learn more about our bird control, removal, and bird-proofing for London residential and commercial properties.
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