How to Get Rid of Pigeons from Commercial Buildings

by Fran Prisco

Pigeons that are a pest in our cities and suburbs across the Nation are ancestors of the Rock Dove.  Rock Doves built their nests high on rock cliffs, very similar to our city buildings of today.  Pigeon nests are made up of loose twigs and other material that is found nearby.  Along with nesting material, pigeons also leave behind a mess with their droppings and molted feathers.  Each year building owners spend thousands to get rid of pigeons from their buildings.

Clean up First

Before installing any type of bird control system, it is important to do a thorough cleanup. It is best to power wash or spray bird droppings down and remove them while wet.  Dried bird droppings can cause dust which when breathed in may carry any of 60 plus communicable diseases.   Bird Droppings are also acidic and can quickly erode building and roofing materials, not to mention that they are a safety hazard on sidewalks, causing slip and fall accidents.

Bird Control Products to Get Rid of Pigeons:

Bird Spikes are probably the easiest to install and one of the most effective bird deterrents.    They are ideal for roof edges and peaks, parapet walls, windowsills and ledges.  Installing bird spikes is as easy and gluing or screwing onto the surface.  Be sure to cover the entire surface with bird spikes so that the pigeons do not have anywhere to land.  Once installed the spikes are virtually invisible and very easy to maintain. 

Electronic Bird Repellers are electrified track that give pigeons a small “jolt” when they touch the track.  They are easily installed on parapet walls, roof edges and peaks, ledges and even channel letters.  Install the track with an outdoor adhesive and connect to a solar or direct charger.  When the pigeons are “Zapped” by the electrical current running through the track, they will change their landing and roosting habits and find another more comfortable area.  Electric bird deterrents are low profile, usually no more than ¼” high, which does not take away from the buildings aesthetics.  These bird control tracks are one of the most specified systems by architects, government offices and contractors.

Bird Spiders are used when pigeons are a problem on roof top machinery such as A.C. Units, vents and air handlers.  Pigeons will often land and roost on roof top A.C. units because all of their needs are provided, water, rocks or stones and shelter.  Installing bird spiders on these units will get rid of birds from the rooftops.  The Bird Spider is a visual and physical bird deterrent used to prevent large birds from landing.  The Bird Spiders’ “arms” bounce and sway in the wind. This creates a visual distraction that frightens birds away from the treated area. 

Related articles

• Bird Control for the Roofing Industry (birdcontrolproducts.wordpress.com)
• Get Rid of Birds with Bird Repellents (birdrepellents.blog.com)
• Get Rid of Pigeons with Bird Barriers (birdbarriers.blog.com)
• Bird Control for the Roofing Industry (birdcontrolproducts.blog.com)
• Get Rid of Birds with Bird Repellents (birdrepellent.wordpress.com)

8 Ways to Get Rid of Pigeons

Get Rid of Pigeons

by Alex A. Kecskes

 

Not long ago, feeding pigeons in Trafalgar Square became an offense with violators being fined. In one city, pest birds had learned to associate a school's lunch bell with feeding time and would aggressively pester children for food. The fact is, "get rid of pigeons" has become the battle cry in many cities, towns and parks throughout the world. Especially as city health officials become increasingly aware of the many diseases carried by pigeon droppings.

The truth is, pigeons can create a number of serious problems. Gathering in flocks on buildings, pigeons can constitute a threat to human health and safety. The mess and droppings left by pigeons can negatively impact the appearance of a business. Often, the sheer weight of bird droppings can lead to structural collapse, particularly ceilings. It can also have a negative impact on a business's workforce. This includes the slip-and-trip hazards bird droppings leave on walkways, steps and entrances. It's no wonder more property owners seek ways to get rid of pigeons.

Clean-up costs can be prohibitively expensive. Removing nesting materials and accumulated droppings can be difficult, sometimes requiring specialists in "moon suits" to protect them from disease-carrying droppings that are aerated during removal by sand blasters.
Through bird egg removal, birth-control pills and food deprivation, problem pigeons can be driven out of most areas in three to five years. While these methods may be humane, they are too time-consuming to appeal to most property owners and municipalities.  Fortunately, there are far more efficient and expedient ways to get rid of pigeons.

Bird Spikes…they Only Look Painful

Time and again, Bird Spikes have helped get rid of pigeons in buildings and structures around the world. The spikes work because pigeons can't negotiate a landing around them. It's just simple physics. The spiked strips come in rigid U.V.-resistant unbreakable polycarbonate, or longer-lasting, slightly more expensive stainless steel. And lo and behold, bird spikes now come in a variety of colors--including white, tan, gray, black, brown, brick red and crystal clear. The spikes are easily glued or screwed to any surface. You can also get a Girder Spike for keeping pigeons off girders or I-beams (they come with adjustable “C-clamps” to fit any size girder). There's also a Gutter Spike, which prevents pigeons from cluttering up rain gutters. The best bird spikes are blunted, GSA approved, and safe for birds and maintenance crews.

Plastic Bird Spikes Get Rid of Pigeons

by Alex A. Kecskes

Get rid of pigeons

For years, the U.S. military recruiting station in New York's Times Square--often referred to as "The Booth"--has been invaded by growing flocks of pigeons. The birds left behind pounds of smelly disease carrying droppings and created a noisy nuisance. Lately, however, the U.S. Army has gone on the offensive to get rid of pigeons, making sure its office is the "Best it Can Be."
The initial plan of attack was to broadcast intimidating predator sounds, specifically the sounds of pigeons under attack. Speakers were strategically placed and the volume turned up. But the pigeons held fast, refusing to budge, actually ignoring the threat. Bird experts reasoned that because the birds are so accustomed to the high-decibel Times Square soundscape, the pesky pigeons simply couldn't hear the "predators."
Another problem was that the pigeons really couldn't resist the free meals constantly provided by passers-by. In terms of an ideal habitat, the pigeons had it made--free rent, free food and free heat from the subway grates. 
The Army will also be using chemicals to repel the pigeons. If that fails, they'll try placing spikes on the recruiting station roof to keep the pigeons from landing. Smart move by the Army, especially if they opt for plastic bird spikes. For these have a number of advantages.