Deterring pigeons that becomes a nuisance to home garden

A pigeon or two is tolerable, but having a whole bunch of them cooing on the roof or strutting in the garden is a lot to take. Effective way to deterring pigeons is to bar them. It’s not only the bird’s rampant cooing but their innate tendency to leave big, stinking messes everywhere that can actually spread diseases is what makes them such unpopular guests. Other than running at them with your hands flailing about and throwing stones as they fly away, there are other more, effective ways to handling a pigeon invasion.

Effective ways to deterring pigeons

Bar them from entering the areas they frequent: Pigeons like to socialise on the ground, pecking away at anything that’s edible. They can also be found gathering on ledges, on your roof, balcony, patio or yard. For the pigeons, the spaces under the eaves and roofs are like their homes in the wilderness. But there might also be another reason for these pesky birds to gather, such as a food source. So, make sure you don’t have garbage or pet food lying around, or keep the grains away from them. Pigeons love free food (like everybody else) so try to store your food materials and the garbage in a proper manner. The most effective way is to bar them from entering the areas they frequent. For this, you would have to note the spaces they use to roost and block it off with small pieces of wood or netting.

Close off any open spaces: Close off any open spaces like vents, lofts and eaves and if you are unable to close them off, leave spikes or broken glasses on the surfaces where they land. When using netting, don’t use cloth or nylon materials as the pigeons would peck their way through. Instead opt for wire mesh or chicken wire that can be cut and form-fitted into any space with screws and nails.

Deter from landing: Install wire netting on the garden floor to deter the birds from landing. Or go the traditional way and place a dummy of an owl or a crow or snake on the ground to scare them off. If this feels a bit too much for your beautiful garden, you would have to resort to manual labour. Scare them off every day when they arrive. Creating loud noises or spraying them with water each time they settle down is an effective way of telling them to keep off.

Use Pigeon Repeller: Electronic repellents are available that makes you work easier. These devices can be plugged to a power source or can operate on battery. They emit a high frequency noise that is above the hearing range of humans. The noise is set off by motion and will scare the pigeons away. Hearing the noise each time they come to roost will deter them from coming back.

Quick DIY pigeon deterrent tips

• Make sure you don’t have garbage or pet food lying around, or keep the grains away from them.
• Note the spaces they use to roost and block it off.
• Close off any open spaces like vents, lofts and eaves and if you are unable to close them off, leave spikes, anti-roosting spikes or broken glasses on the surfaces where they land.
• Install wire netting on the garden floor to deter the birds from landing.
• Scare them off every day when they arrive.
• Natural way is to understand why the birds are there and what is the problem-daytime perching or overnight roosting problems.