How to Keep Pigeons Off Your Balcony

Birds are beautiful creatures with surprising intellect and adaptability. They form part of the natural environment. However fascinating, birds, specifically pigeons, can be a nuisance.

Pigeons are extremely resourceful creatures. As a result, they’ve learned to cope with human expansion and adapt easily to urban settings.

Pigeons typically breed and roost in groups and produce large amounts of feces. Their droppings can be very runny and contain high acidity. The acidity of their stool can degrade stone, concrete and other materials over time. Therefore, pigeon waste can wreak havoc on your car, balcony furniture, windows, walls, rails and sidewalks. Furthermore, pigeons have been associated with a variety of diseases, thus creating the need to get rid of them.

Ways to keep pigeons off your balcony

Dealing with pest birds can be a difficult and tedious task. Here are some methods of pigeon control:

Physical control

Controlling pigeons permanently is hard because these birds have adapted to stress and they have many food sources. The best way to control them or remove them is to change their environment:

• Remove roosting niches and seal any crevices, large openings and entrances in high areas to discourage pigeons.
• Screen off water sources that may be close by.
• Never leave food out where pigeons can get it.
• Keep garbage containers closed and dispose of garbage regularly.

Bird scaring devices

Bird scaring devices can also be used to keep birds away from your balcony. Loud noises, flashing lights, windmills and recordings of bird distress calls can scare pigeons. Note though that this may not be as effective in urban settings.

Pest control products

If you are considering pesticides to control your pigeon problem, be sure to read the label to make sure you are choosing the right product for the right pest. Follow all label directions and warnings carefully.

While these products may be effective in keeping birds away, the permanence of the applications can be short-lived as rains may wash away the toxicants. Thus constant reapplication may be needed.

Insulation wires

You can also use a slinky or insulation wire on your railing to help keep pigeons from perching there. Simply spread the wire so each loop is about 1.5 inches apart. You can then use duct tape to attach it to the railing at 2- or 3-inch intervals. While this proves a simple tactic, pigeons find it very uncomfortable to land on this wire. You can employ the help of a professional to assist in setting up wires.

Bird spikes

Another tactic that can be employed is the use of bird spikes. Spikes work by preventing pigeons from landing on ledges. The spikes’ thin, stainless steel rods protrude from a UV-resistant polycarbonate base that deters not just pigeons but also crows, gulls and other large birds from landing on your balcony. Bird spikes are quite flexible and effective in bird control, plus the rods are blunt-tipped so they will not hurt the problem birds or maintenance workers.

Bird netting

Completely netting a balcony or a ledge can be a very effective way of keeping pigeons from nesting or roosting in that spot. Bird netting, however, is best installed and maintained regularly by a professional.

Visual deterrents

Another method to scare pigeons away from a balcony is a frequent human presence. It is observed that pigeons tend to make nests when no one is using the balcony, usually when occupants travel a lot or are out of town for a while.

The use of visual deterrents to keep pigeons away from your balcony can prove to be quite effective. Strips of shiny wrapping paper blowing in the wind, old CDs, hanging from strings and colourful spinning pinwheels are some easy and economical options. It is even more effective if the visual deterrents employed, are moved or changed regularly.

Having trouble with pigeon control in the Vancouver area?

If you have a pigeon problem in Vancouver, Pest Detective is here to help. Our pest control professionals employ the use of pigeon spikes to keep large birds away, as well as bird netting. We provide more than just a one-time solution. We follow up with you to ensure your pests don’t come back.

No one likes uninvited guests. So, give us a call today and let us take care of them for you.