The pigeon population surge has become a crisis that many are failing to understand and deal with. Many urban areas have become a safe space for pigeons to feed, nest, and brood, leading to an increase in population at an alarming rate. While it is great to admire the flock of pigeons minding their business, they also cause havoc and pose a danger when their waste gets in contact with humans. Here are ways you can control the pigeon population.
Using spikes to exclude pigeons
Using spikes for pigeons is an effective way to deter them from accessing their feeding sites. If you are tired of the noise and disturbance caused by pigeons, then using a spike will be a perfect option. You can also try to supplement the spikes method with OvoControl to completely reduce the population of pigeons.
While many species of small birds easily land on twigs and branches to feed, anti-bird spikes effectively prevent pigeons and other large birds from landing effortlessly because their feet are not built to adapt to spiky locations. This has proven to be the most popular method of controlling pigeons because it doesn’t take many resources. Spikes come in different techniques, and depending on what you prefer, you can go for stainless steel, pointed or acrylic pointed spikes.
Lethal techniques
When the pigeon population in your location gets out of control, you may have to incorporate a lethal or inhumane way to deter them. The most common lethal methods of controlling pigeons include shooting, trapping, and use of chemicals. This should only happen when they pose a threat to the human population and with the permission of local authorities.
Also, remember the young pigeons may be depending on the bigger ones for food, and eliminating the adult ones may lead them to starve, which goes against the animal right. To be safe, use this method as a last measure after exhausting all other reasonable options.
Tumbling the number of nests
If you destroy the nests, pigeons will be forced to look for a different location, which proves to be an effective method of population control. Public spaces may be infested with pigeon nests. This will be the first spot you begin destroying. Also, look out for bridge support sports, windows, building ledges, and outer air-conditioning units. They love to build nests in these spots hence the ideal places to lock them out. It is easy to remove pigeon nests because they are built using soft twigs, install bird wires and slides to stop them from accessing the nests.
Eliminating feeding sources
There are many places birds find food sources, whether you provide them food or not. Birds will easily find a location to feed with a lot of ease. If you notice a flock of pigeons on your premises, there is a likelihood that you are providing a safe feeding location, and you might want to act up expeditiously. In public spaces, there is an overabundance of leftovers.
Enough to satisfy a flock of pigeons, these spaces will be perfect for them to increase in population. The solution will be to clean up and remove all leftovers regularly, and pigeons will automatically disappear. Feeding other birds in your premises also attract pigeons, and you may want to control this too,
Netting
This is effective in industrial are or food processing zones. Areas with crops or food accessibility attract a flock of pigeons which will only lead to population increase if they are not effectively controlled. Netting doesn’t necessarily directly impact how pigeons brood, but this method removes the comfort zone of pigeons to feed and brood. This is also a human and environmental method of controlling the pigeon population.
Netting also prevents pigeons from gaining access to their feeding and nesting locations, important factors that lead to their population increase. With netting, the birds will simply look for an alternative location to enhance their life.
Shock-track system installation
A shock-track system is a better alternative to the spike option of controlling the pigeon population. It is exceptionally subtle, flexible, and a low-key way to prevent pigeons from landing, feeding, or brooding on the premises. When pigeons or any other bird species land on the premises, they will feel the impact of a mild electric shock which will scare them away immediately.
The shocking tape prevents pigeons from repeatedly landing on the protected zones and conditions them to shun away from the location. Also, note that this method doesn’t cause harm to the pigeons in any way as the shock is minimal. This helps eliminate a safe zone for pigeons to recuperate and brood and increase the population.
The debate on controlling the pigeon population has been ongoing for some time now. This leads to myriad challenges and not to mention the threat to the health of humans. While scare tactics work from time to time, this proves to be effective as the population is now out of having. Depending on your location, these methods may prove to be useful.