by Alex A. Kecskes
Pigeons have been both friend and foe to mankind for centuries. They have inspired poets and saved lives in wartime. But when they gather in great numbers in cities and towns, they can be most unwelcome. As a pest bird, they can also be most prolific. A single pair of pigeons can produce as many as 18 new pigeons every year--it only takes 19 days for a pigeon egg to hatch baby pigeons.
Then, there are the droppings. One pigeon can generate up to 25 pounds of droppings every year, droppings that attract parasitic insects and flies. Droppings that can spread over 60 transmittable diseases to people and animals. According researchers of the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York, pigeon droppings can expose children to Cryptococcus Neoforman fungus. This is airborne fungus grows in rotting pigeon roots, and is present in pigeon droppings. The first step in controlling pigeon droppings is more effective pigeon control.
Aside from disease, the highly acidic nature of pigeon droppings can destroy metal, paint and roofs. In fact, droppings and nests can present property owners with an ongoing repair bills to cover damages to gutters, shingles, AC units, skylights, and dish antennas.
Thankfully, there are a number of highly effective pigeon control products currently available. Most are designed to discourage pigeons from landing and roosting. Moreover, these products have been carefully designed to avoid harming birds, animals and people.
Pigeons have been both friend and foe to mankind for centuries. They have inspired poets and saved lives in wartime. But when they gather in great numbers in cities and towns, they can be most unwelcome. As a pest bird, they can also be most prolific. A single pair of pigeons can produce as many as 18 new pigeons every year--it only takes 19 days for a pigeon egg to hatch baby pigeons.
Then, there are the droppings. One pigeon can generate up to 25 pounds of droppings every year, droppings that attract parasitic insects and flies. Droppings that can spread over 60 transmittable diseases to people and animals. According researchers of the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York, pigeon droppings can expose children to Cryptococcus Neoforman fungus. This is airborne fungus grows in rotting pigeon roots, and is present in pigeon droppings. The first step in controlling pigeon droppings is more effective pigeon control.
Aside from disease, the highly acidic nature of pigeon droppings can destroy metal, paint and roofs. In fact, droppings and nests can present property owners with an ongoing repair bills to cover damages to gutters, shingles, AC units, skylights, and dish antennas.
Thankfully, there are a number of highly effective pigeon control products currently available. Most are designed to discourage pigeons from landing and roosting. Moreover, these products have been carefully designed to avoid harming birds, animals and people.
Bird Spikes
They look like they might impale anything that comes near them, but blunted Bird Spikes are harmless to birds and people. What makes them so effective is that birds won't land near them, since they simply can't get their wings around them. Spikes come in rigid U.V.-resistant unbreakable polycarbonate, or longer lasting slightly more expensive stainless steel. Steel spikes are available in a non-reflective metal finish and architects, contractors and government agencies will often specify them. The ever-popular spikes are now available in different styles to meet specific pigeon control needs. Girder Spikes, for example, are ideal for keeping pigeons and larger pest birds from landing on girders or I-beams. They come with adjustable “C-clamps” to fit any size girder. Gutter Spikes, on the other hand, are ideal for deterring pigeons from rain gutters. In general, spikes are easily glued or nailed down to almost any surface.
Electric Tracks
These pigeon control devices use a harmless jolt of electricity to discourage pigeons from nesting. Electric Tracks are ideal for persuading pigeons from gathering on ledges, rooflines, parapet walls, signs, I-beams, and flat or curved surfaces. The electrified tracks are easy to install on most any flat or curved surface. Best are the low profile tracks, which are virtually invisible to anyone looking up from ground level.
Bird Slopes
These are simple, surprisingly effective PVC panels that present an angled, slippery surface to pigeons that try to land on them. Bird slopes are an ideal pigeon control solution for beams, ledges, eaves, and other L-shaped areas. The panels can be ordered in a variety of colors to blend in with your building's décor. UV stabilized polycarbonate panels are best as they stand up to tough weather.
Pigeon Netting
Bird netting can be an effective pigeon control solution. Ideal for use on rooftops, courtyards, patio covers, and other large areas, netting presents a physical barrier that keeps pest birds out. Some of the best netting is made from ISO 1806 mesh test polyethylene fabric. U.V. stabilized, flame resistant and rot and waterproof netting is also available.
Sonic Pigeon Deterrents
Sonic Repellers generate sounds that annoy or alarm pigeons. These pigeon control systems emit a variety of bird predator sounds through a speaker system. To deter pigeons, these systems effectively recreate the sounds of Peregrine falcons defending their territory. The calls are repeated regularly--usually once every ten to fifteen minutes. Sonic systems are ideal for deterring pigeons from backyards, courtyards, gardens, pool areas, patios, gazebos, parks, golf courses, rooftops or other large open spaces.
Bird Gels
As a humane pigeon control solution, Bird Gels can be quite effective. The sticky goo goes on easy with a standard caulking gun. In general, gels skin over but don't dry, leaving pest pigeons with an irritatingly tacky surface to plant their little footsies on. Of course, once they land, they can't wait to leave.
They look like they might impale anything that comes near them, but blunted Bird Spikes are harmless to birds and people. What makes them so effective is that birds won't land near them, since they simply can't get their wings around them. Spikes come in rigid U.V.-resistant unbreakable polycarbonate, or longer lasting slightly more expensive stainless steel. Steel spikes are available in a non-reflective metal finish and architects, contractors and government agencies will often specify them. The ever-popular spikes are now available in different styles to meet specific pigeon control needs. Girder Spikes, for example, are ideal for keeping pigeons and larger pest birds from landing on girders or I-beams. They come with adjustable “C-clamps” to fit any size girder. Gutter Spikes, on the other hand, are ideal for deterring pigeons from rain gutters. In general, spikes are easily glued or nailed down to almost any surface.
Electric Tracks
These pigeon control devices use a harmless jolt of electricity to discourage pigeons from nesting. Electric Tracks are ideal for persuading pigeons from gathering on ledges, rooflines, parapet walls, signs, I-beams, and flat or curved surfaces. The electrified tracks are easy to install on most any flat or curved surface. Best are the low profile tracks, which are virtually invisible to anyone looking up from ground level.
Bird Slopes
These are simple, surprisingly effective PVC panels that present an angled, slippery surface to pigeons that try to land on them. Bird slopes are an ideal pigeon control solution for beams, ledges, eaves, and other L-shaped areas. The panels can be ordered in a variety of colors to blend in with your building's décor. UV stabilized polycarbonate panels are best as they stand up to tough weather.
Pigeon Netting
Bird netting can be an effective pigeon control solution. Ideal for use on rooftops, courtyards, patio covers, and other large areas, netting presents a physical barrier that keeps pest birds out. Some of the best netting is made from ISO 1806 mesh test polyethylene fabric. U.V. stabilized, flame resistant and rot and waterproof netting is also available.
Sonic Pigeon Deterrents
Sonic Repellers generate sounds that annoy or alarm pigeons. These pigeon control systems emit a variety of bird predator sounds through a speaker system. To deter pigeons, these systems effectively recreate the sounds of Peregrine falcons defending their territory. The calls are repeated regularly--usually once every ten to fifteen minutes. Sonic systems are ideal for deterring pigeons from backyards, courtyards, gardens, pool areas, patios, gazebos, parks, golf courses, rooftops or other large open spaces.
Bird Gels
As a humane pigeon control solution, Bird Gels can be quite effective. The sticky goo goes on easy with a standard caulking gun. In general, gels skin over but don't dry, leaving pest pigeons with an irritatingly tacky surface to plant their little footsies on. Of course, once they land, they can't wait to leave.
RSS Feed