Birds are not often associated with pest control problems, but it is no secret that they can and have caused problems for many households and businesses, with pigeons being the most common type of bird to become a nuisance and pest control companies have seen ever growing demand for getting rid of them.
With the urbanisation of many wildlife areas, it is no surprise that birds have become an increasing problem in areas that have become built up or even rural, and have become accustomed to living around humans and adapting to their surroundings that have gone from natural habitats for them to areas being built on and inhabited by humans.
Birds have, as a result, begun invading homes and businesses to build their nests or search for food during the months when there is less availability for them to feed in the wild, we are sharing some of our top tips for keeping pigeons away from either your home or business.
Repellent
Repellent is a short term solution and won’t keep birds away forever with just one application, gel repellent is the most commonly used and only lasts a few weeks before you will need to reapply again, so is quite a high maintenance way to deal with your pigeon problem.
The gel repellent makes surfaces you apply it to, too slippery for pigeons to stand leaving them with no choice but to move on from your home or business, you can also use gel repellents that are hot to touch and again would deter birds from standing on or nesting on the area where it is applied.
Wire
Balconies, railings and protruding roofing are some of the most attractive areas pigeons will look for to nest, using wire to create a barrier around these areas is a great way to stop birds from nesting and make it uncomfortable for them to land on, keeping them away from your home or business.
Spikes
Spikes are a permanent solution but are not the most aesthetically pleasing structure to have on your domestic or commercial premises, so you will need to be mindful when adding spikes, but will surely stop birds landing and nesting, as like the wire barrier, they will make it extremely uncomfortable for birds to land on.
Do not feed
The worst thing you can do for pigeons is feed them or give them an opportunity to eat near your home, making sure you don’t directly give them food and making sure your bins are sealed surrounding your home is essential for keeping pigeons away and uninterested in nesting on your property.
Sloping
If you are able to make changes to the building structure of your home or business, using sloping when it comes to your roofing and keeping the edges of the building sloped will make it extremely difficult and risky for birds to build nests, and they will avoid nesting on those slopes, in turn, reducing the chances of a bird problem.
If you’re not 100% sure what would be best for your home, or if you already are experiencing a pest problem with pigeons, Advantage pest control can help and offer friendly, professional and expert advice to best suit the needs of your home or business when it comes to dealing with birds.