Go to any urban centre across the world and the one bird that you will probably find is a pigeon.
They’ve found a real niche by living alongside humans and picking off our scraps. However, they’ve also made themselves at home in our gardens, and this can be a real pain. Not only are pigeons known to spread diseases, but they can also be very destructive. So in this article, we’ll discuss how to get rid of pigeons.
Understanding Pigeons
Australasia is one of the best places in the world for pigeon diversity. There are 29 species from the Columbidae family living in Australia. And only four of these species are non-native which include the feral pigeon and the rock pigeon. Of all the species that might be considered pests is the feral pigeon, these were introduced from Europe in the 1600s and have since become a nuisance, supplementing their natural diet with human scraps.
However, it is important to note that the white dove, which is often regarded highly by many because of its beautiful white features, is a subgroup of the feral pigeon.
Other introduced species of pigeon include the spotted turtle dove and laughing turtle dove.
All pigeons can be described as having stout bodies with short necks. They tend to have relatively short slender bills, which are a perfect adaptation to eating seeds and nuts. They are also fast flies, able to travel great distances quickly.
Risks Associated with Pigeons
There are numerous risks when it comes to pigeons. These can include some of the following issues that you might experience.
Diseases
Pigeons might look clean, but they carry more diseases than any other bird. And they’re suspected to carry far more diseases than the most hated pest: the rat. These diseases are often spread around through their droppings, which can cause other problems too.
However, it isn’t just the direct transfer of diseases that make pigeons such a health risk when not controlled. It is known that they attract ticks which can then bite a human spreading other diseases that can be particularly problematic. And they are known to attract cockroaches and rats to areas because they’re messy feeders. They will often scatter seeds, fruit, and other food items across the floor which are eaten by the other pests.
Damage to Property
Another issue might be that they damage property. One of the ways they do this is to poop on the property. Pigeon poop is highly corrosive because it is highly acidic. But they can also damage property through nesting and breeding in roof spaces and other spaces around a property.
If you don’t get your gutters cleaned out regularly, pigeons are known to fill them with debris from their nests. These can cause gutters to block. They can also block drains and cause minor flooding in patio areas because of this.
Pigeons can also damage air-conditioning units and rooftop machinery.
Spreading Unwanted Plants
Pigeons are a vital part of our ecosystem, even though they’re introduced. Pigeons eat a lot of seeds, nuts, and fruit. As the seeds progress through their digestive system, the seeds are germinated and as a result, when they exit through pigeon poop, they can grow.
This can be disruptive for serious gardeners who don’t want weeds randomly popping up in their
garden.
Increased Insurance Costs
Pigeons can cause so much damage that they’re known to escalate insurance costs. It isn’t just damage to the buildings that can push up premiums, there are claims related to slipping on their droppings.
For homeowners and businesses, this can reduce the affordability of insurance.
Does Your Property Suffer From a Pigeon Problem?
Numerous property owners may have a pigeon problem but don’t realise it. Here are some of the signs that you might have a feral pigeon problem.
- There are one or two pigeons that are regularly visiting your home/garden.
- There is an accumulation of pigeon droppings around the property.
- You notice there is a collection of food debris around the garden.
- Damage is being caused to garden furniture.
- Feathers can be found around the garden.
If you do not take action, then it can cause further damage later on. But you can learn how to get rid of pigeons relatively easily.
How to Get Rid of Pigeons in Australia
There are numerous options if you want to learn how to get rid of pigeons in your roof and property. Here are some of the common techniques that you might come across.
Pigeon Scarer
If you’re looking for a quick and simple solution for how to get rid of pigeons without hurting them, then you might want to use a pigeon scarer. These devices can use numerous tactics either individually or together. For instance, the Envirobug Sentinel device uses sound, water, and movement to scare pigeons away.
The Sentinel devices are counted as pigeon sonic deterrents because they use ultrasound to scare the pigeons. That benefits you because you don’t hear the sound, but it does create a noise that the pigeons will react to regularly.
Pigeon Spikes
Pigeon-proofing solar panels and roofing areas can be rather challenging. Though pigeon spikes can be a good option. These spikes sit in a location that makes it hard for pigeons to land without being hurt. Therefore, you can protect your solar panels from becoming dirty and damaged.
In addition, they prevent pigeons from nesting in roof spaces in your home. Solar pigeon proofing can be essential to keeping electricity production high as dirt on the panels can reduce effectiveness.
Bird Nets
You can also use bird nets to protect sensitive areas of your property, like fruit trees and strawberry patches from being damaged by pigeons. The problem with these items is that they might not protect your property from the damage caused by pooping.
Final Word: How to Get Rid of Pigeons on Roof Spaces and in Gardens
If you’ve got a pigeon problem, then some of the techniques above can help you reduce the issue by giving the pigeon a reason not to access your property. Doing so helps you reduce the chance of spreading disease and damage to your property. It might also help to reduce insurance costs in the long term.
