by Alex A. Kecskes
They came last year. Pigeons gathered on your roof, your patio cover, in the upper reaches of your gazebo. They grew more brazen as the weeks went by, swooping down on your patio table to pick at food you laid out for your big BBQ. What a mess they made, leaving droppings on tables and chairs, by the pool, the spa, the sauna. The kids’ toys were covered with “grey goo.” Everything had to be hosed off and disinfected.
Do you really want to go through the same scenario this year? But what can you do? BB guns and poisons are out—too dangerous with the kids and pets. You need to protect your home from pest birds, do what the pros do—finally get some real pigeon deterrents. You need bird control that’s effective, humane and easy to set up. Some suggestions from the experts:
Scare Tactics to Get Rid of Pigeons
Pigeons are ”chickens.” They’re easily frightened by moving objects or anything that poses a visual threat. That’s the theory behind Bird Scare Deterrents. Two of the most effective are Scare Eye Diverters and Bird Scare Balloons. Both are easy to hang just about anywhere. They’re inexpensive too. Both psyche out birdbrains by displaying huge predator eyes that convince pigeons that something big is ready to eat them. These visual bird deterrents bob and weave in the breeze to make pigeons believe they are alive. The only thing you have to do is move them around occasionally to prevent pigeons from getting used to them.
Sound Pigeon Control
Pigeons hear about ten times better than humans. That means they’re really alert to predator calls and distress calls from other pigeons. A few panicky cries of “I’m being attacked” from fellow pigeons or several threatening shrieks from a peregrine falcon (a pigeon's natural enemy) will make pigeons think twice about hanging around your home. Keep in mind that these sounds resemble normal bird sounds to humans. One popular bird sonic unit comes with a built-in speaker and covers up to one acre. It includes a volume control and you can program it to turn on or off at night.
Plastic Bird Spikes, the Ultimate Pigeon Deterrent
When pigeons get tired of flapping their wings over your patio, pool or back yard, they have to land somewhere. Chances are they’ll try for a lofty place. If you’ve installed plastic bird spikes on your lofty spaces--rooflines, patio covers, gazebos, fixed awnings, etc.--they’ll have to move on. Because landing on or near a properly designed bird spike is pretty much impossible—even for the most determined pigeon. Plastic bird spikes are easy to install. The best spikes come with glue troughs and predrilled holes, so you can mount them with glue, nails or screws. They even come in a variety of colors--like white, tan, gray, black, brown, brick red and crystal clear--to match your home’s décor.
