by Alex A. Kecskes
There have been many ways and means to achieve
pigeon control. Some effective, some not so effective, and others just plain nasty.
The most obvious and shortsighted is to simply shoot them. This is ill advised by most agriculture departments and pigeon control experts, since pigeons are most prolific in cities and well-populated areas, and firearms are outlawed by most municipalities. One tends next to turn to pigeon poisons, but these have often failed in the long run because the first birds to die are the weak and old, leaving more room for fertile birds to reproduce. Still another strategy that has met with mixed enthusiasm is to fine those who feed pigeons. As most people know, pigeons are scavengers and will find plenty of food without resorting to direct handouts from humans. At one point, New York City even proposed creating a "pigeon czar" to look into various methods of
pigeon control.
Perhaps the most bizarre way of getting rid of the annoying "rock doves" came from one very frustrated individual who had had it with the pests defacing statues. The idea was to install a magnetic coil on the protuberances of every statue. The pigeons would then be fed grain containing Semtex (or C4 plastic explosive) along with a micro detonator. When birds landed on the statue, the detonator would be activated by the magnetic coil and boom, the hapless birds would be sent to Valhalla. The charge would be just powerful enough to "off" the bird yet small enough to prevent if from splattering apart. Needless to say, animal rights groups were not in love with the concept.
Fortunately, there are far more humane, safe and sane ways of pigeon control currently available.
Bird Wire Systems
Pretty simple when you think about it. Birds like to land on wires. They land on these wires and do the boogie trying to keep from falling off. After a few seconds, they leave. Bird Wire Systems with their post-and-spring-wire set-ups are anything but stable. String these
pigeon control systems up wherever pigeons have been a nuisance--on the roofs, ledges, railings, signs, etc. The systems install easily and are often used on Federal and State government buildings. The best systems feature nylon coated stainless steel wire to last longer.
Bird Slopes
Sometimes called the invisible
pigeon control deterrent, Bird Slopes look good and work great. These angled, slippery PVC panels make it virtually impossible for pigeons to land in all those 90-degree nooks and crannies of a building or structure. Birds slip and slide off these panels like teens at a waterpark. The panels even come in several colors to blend in with your building's aesthetics. U.V.-stabilized polycarbonate panels are best as they stand up and stay slick in punishing weather.
Bird Motels
They go in and you take them out--far out to the boondocks. That's the idea behind these catch-and-release Bird Motels. Now, if you've got a billion pigeons already occupying your property, this may not be the most effective
pigeon control method to use. These motels are ideal for relocating just a few annoying pigeons. You can put these just about anywhere pigeons like to gather. The best motels feature an easy-access door and are constructed of galvanized wire so they won't rust or corrode. Consult a bird control expert to determine which motel is ideal for your specific application.
Pigeon Netting
This stuff is a widely used method of
pigeon control, since it effectively and humanely denies a bird access to specific areas of a building or property. The best Bird Netting is made from ISO 1806 mesh test polyethylene fabric. To make sure your netting won't shred apart like confetti after a few seasons, opt for U.V.-stabilized, flame-resistant and rot and waterproof netting. Non-conductive netting is available for installations where electrical conductivity or EM interference may cause problems. Some manufacturers even offer pigeon netting in different colors--like white, stone and black.
Scare Devices
An economical way to discourage pigeons from landing on or near your property, Pigeon Scare Devices make birds nervous. And nervous birds don't hang around. Among the most popular scare devices are flash tape that crackles in the wind, banners that flap and snap in the breeze, and balloons covered with scary predator eyes that bob and weave.
The only thing to remember about these
pigeon control devices is that pigeons are among the smartest birds on earth, which means you might consider swapping out the devices or the clever little suckers will simply ignore them.
Bird Spikes
The "Big Kahuna" of
pigeon control devices (or most any bird, for that matter), the Bird Spike keeps flying pests from landing on any surface. Yes, they look like a medieval torture device, but the blunted spikes are harmless to birds, pets and people. Depending on your need and budget, you can choose either rigid U.V.-resistant unbreakable polycarbonate spikes or the longer-lasting, slightly more expensive stainless steel spikes. Some manufacturers offer the spikes in a variety of colors--including white, tan, gray, black, brown, brick red and crystal clear. The spikes are easily glued or screwed to any surface.
To keep pigeons off girders or I-beams, there's the Girder Spike, which sometimes comes with adjustable “C-clamps” to fit many girder sizes. To keep pigeons clear off rain gutters, opt for the Gutter Spike.
Sonic Repellers
Like most birds, pigeons don't like to hear the sounds of natural predators--like peregrine falcons (a pigeon's dreaded enemy), or the cries of their fellow pigeons in distress. When they do, they leave in hurry. Sonic Repellers broadcast the sounds pigeons hate. And they do it with surprising efficiency. The sounds are repeated regularly--usually once every ten to fifteen minutes. The sounds are not annoying to humans, but pigeons hate them.
Bird Gels
No self–respecting bird likes feeling trapped, especially with every step they take once they've landed. Sticky Gels bug the heck out of pigeons--and most birds for that matter. Bird Gels are easy to apply to most surfaces using a standard caulking gun. The chemical skins over and stays sticky for up to six months before you need to reapply it.
