Pigeons, also known as rock doves, have a long history of living close to people. Over time, these birds have been pets, a food source (squab) for people, and helped to transport messages (homing pigeons). These animals have a remarkable sense of direction to help them find their way home.
Modern city pigeons are commonly gray with a whitish rump and red feet. They have two black bars on their wing feathers and a broad black band on their tails. Pigeons grow up to around 11 inches and weigh about 13 ounces.
These birds mate for life and will defend their territory and their mate if necessary. They usually lay two eggs at a time, having between two and four broods yearly. Both parents share the responsibility of raising and feeding their young.
Pigeons are familiar birds to see around Chandler properties. People tend to have varying opinions about these animals. Some find them cute and like to throw them bread crumbs, while others consider them a nuisance or “rats with wings.”
Whichever camp you fall into, the bottom line is these birds can cause a lot of trouble when they infest a property and often require professional to get rid of them. Whether gathering around people looking for food or roosting on a building, these birds can cause many problems. We’ll explain more about pigeon behavior in this article and explore why they are so common in urban settings.
We’ll also review the many ways pigeons can become problematic for home and business owners, some of which you may not even be aware of. At best, these birds are a nuisance when they infest a property. But at worst, they can endanger people’s health and damage property.
Learning more about these birds can help you eliminate factors on your property that may attract them. Often the main lure for these pests is something property owners may not even notice. Repairing or replacing certain concerns around your home and business can help to control pigeons and keep them from returning.
We’ll also explain more about professional pigeon . These can be challenging birds to eliminate if they have made themselves comfortable on your property. If pigeons frequently congregate around your home or business, taking action now can help to avert potential problems and accidents for your family, customers, and employees.
Working with a professional company such as Green Home Pest Control can help you ensure the safety of the people around you while treating problematic pigeons humanely. Contact us today to learn more about our pigeon control services or to request your free estimate.
Why Pigeons Love Urban Settings
Before we had big cities, pigeons would perch on seaside cliffs. Pigeons still live in the wild in some areas, roosting on rocky ledges along the Mediterranean Sea and North Africa. In some ways, it makes sense that they naturally transition to cities filled with concrete, granite, and stone.
As urban areas expanded, these birds quickly adapted to city life and became a part of the urban environment. We’ll list some of the many reasons pigeons thrive in cities like Chandler and then elaborate on them below:
- Easy access to food
- Plenty of shelter
- Homing instinct
- Less natural predators
In the wild, pigeons eat various foods, including grains, seeds, berries, and occasionally snails, earthworms, and insects. City pigeons take this broad palette to a new level and will eat almost anything people do. Over time these birds have become dependent on people for food, as well as nesting and roosting sites.
You might notice people in the park feeding pigeons, but they will also take advantage of any food that spills or open trash containers. When people feed pigeons, their populations tend to multiply, which causes fighting amongst the birds for access to these resources. Some cities have bird control measures and laws against feeding them to help reduce the number of nuisance pigeons.
Urban areas also provide these pest birds with plenty of options for shelter. Pigeons have plenty of places to nest, from decorative ledges on buildings to fire escapes and even air conditioning units. These rigid structures mimic the ledges past generations originally roosted on, allowing pigeons to adapt to city life easily.
Their homing instinct also helps them thrive in the city. These skills allow them to navigate through complex cityscapes. Pigeons also have excellent vision, allowing them to spot potential food from a great distance.
The pigeon’s natural predators are birds like falcons and hawks, and with very little presence of these predators, pigeons can thrive. The populations of their predators have decreased over time, partly due to DDT, an insecticide used after World War 1 in the U.S. Pigeons are also excellent fliers and can avoid predators (and cars) with their acrobatic skills.
If you need assistance with , Green Home Pest Control is here to help. Contact us today to learn more about our pigeon control services or to request a free estimate.
Why Pigeons Are Considered So Problematic
Without adequate pigeon pest control measures, these birds can cause many problems on properties. The following list details some of the issues that property owners face when pigeons move in:
- Their droppings can cause slip-and-fall accidents.
- Pigeon droppings damage structures, statues, and landscaping.
- Droppings can perpetuate the spread of diseases.
- Pigeons can bring additional pest problems like fleas and bird mites.
Pigeon droppings create several issues on properties. One problem many commercial properties face is an increased risk of slip and fall accidents. Bird droppings are slippery when wet, and lawsuits are not uncommon.
Pigeon feces is also acidic and can eat away at metal structures, stone buildings, and statues. Their droppings can speed up the aging of your building and damage the roof, electrical equipment, air conditioning units, and ventilation systems. Pigeon droppings can also burn the lawn and make the landscape unsightly.
Working with a company that provides can help you protect your family, employees, and customers from potential disease transmission. Pigeons are dirty animals and can spread several illnesses, including:
- Histoplasmosis (from droppings)
- Cryptococcosis
- Psittacosis
- Toxoplasmosis
- Salmonellosis
Fleas, lice, mice, and ticks often live on pigeons. These parasites can also spread various illnesses to people and endanger any pets on your property. Birds with infected ticks may carry Lyme disease and other tick-borne diseases.
It’s important to note that even cleaning up pigeon droppings can harm your health. Precautions such as wearing a dust mask and gloves and using disinfecting soap during and after can help prevent the spread of illness.
Teaming up with a company that offers commercial pigeon control can help you to avoid accidents, illness, and potential lawsuits. Whether you need assistance with pigeon control for your business or home, Green Home Pest Control is here to help. Contact us today with any questions or to request a free estimate.
Factors That Attract Pigeons To Properties
Like most pests, pigeons look for properties that will provide for their food, water, and shelter needs. Part of a strategic effort toward pigeon bird control is removing factors that might attract them. We’ll explore some conditions that may attract these pest birds to your property in this section.
Eliminating access to food is one of the simplest DIY bird control methods available. Keeping outdoor eating areas tidy and securing trash lid covers will help keep pigeons away. Pet food left outdoors may also attract them, so it is better to feed pets indoors or clean up after they eat.
While they can be a lovely addition to your yard, bird feeders and baths are typical lures for pigeons. Any areas with standing water on your property may attract them, including water features and children’s pools.
You might also attract pigeons and other pests by forgetting to tend your garden. Ripe fruits and vegetables can provide a quick meal for these birds, and they tend to nest close to areas that have easy food access.
Roofs, ledges, and balconies are some of the most common places for pigeons to roost and nest. Openings to lofts, steeples, attics, chimneys, and vents may also provide them with an entryway into the structure. You may notice that once they establish a nest, more will start popping up.
Asking everyone on your property to avoid feeding the birds can help to keep pigeons away. Consider removing bird baths and feeders as well. Teaming up with a company that provides roof pigeon control is an excellent way to eliminate nesting areas.
Contact us at Green Home Pest Control to learn more about our commercial and residential pigeon control options or to request a free estimate. Our expert technicians are here to help you protect your business and home from these troublesome pests.
Professional Pigeon Control Is The Best Solution
The simplest and most effective way to deal with problematic pigeons is to work with a professional company with pigeon control services. Green Home Pest Control provides nonlethal pigeon control options to help you protect your property, family, customers, and employees while working to protect the environment.
Pigeon control requires a multi-faceted approach, utilizing physical removal, exclusion options, and deterrents. We have a variety of pigeon control methods we can use to help keep these pests away from your property, including:
- Trapping
- Bird netting
- Exclusion wire mesh
- Stainless steel spikes
- Perching wires
At Green Home Pest Control, we use humane options to deal with pest pigeons. Trapping can , but because of their unique homing ability, it is helpful to employ pigeon control devices to prevent them from returning.
Controlling pigeons with bird netting can prevent them from perching on the roof or other building surfaces. Netting also blends in with the facade of your structure, thereby maintaining the aesthetic appeal of your home or business. These products can also be beneficial in stopping birds from feeding in your garden.
Wire mesh is also a beneficial nuisance pigeon control tool. While not as aesthetically pleasing, wire mesh is long-lasting and works well. This product can prevent pigeons from nesting within air conditioning units and other equipment, saving you from potentially costly repairs.
Anti-roosting stainless steel spikes are one the most efficient pigeon control products. After installation, they are nearly invisible and can help to protect buildings, gutters, chimneys, air conditioning units, shop signs, and much more. These versatile products help to eliminate any flat surfaces pigeons may roost and will help to prevent them from returning to your property.
Perching wires are also a humane, efficient way to prevent pigeons on ledges, beams, signs, and other flat surfaces. These wires can help protect rooftop edges by eliminating landing sites. These products are nearly invisible from a distance and can significantly help deter pigeons from your property.
If you have been searching for humane bird control for pigeons, look no further than Green Home Pest Control. As a local company in the valley, we understand the needs of local businesses and homeowners. Your time is valuable, and we are happy to work around our customer’s schedules.
We are an eco-minded company that works to effectively eliminate any problem pests while using eco-friendly products that are safe for the people and pets on your property. After inspection, we will develop a customized treatment plan for your business or home to eliminate problematic pests like pigeons and prevent them from returning.
Professional pigeon control has the added benefit of being a long-term solution. Some over-the-counter products may temporarily scare or distract pest birds, but these tactics only work briefly before the pigeons become accustomed and ignore them. Sonic and ultrasonic emitters are also frequently sold as pigeon deterrents, but the birds will quickly acclimate to the sounds, rendering them useless.
Our control options can help protect your business and home from nuisance pest birds. Contact us today at Green Home Pest Control to learn more about our services or to request a free estimate.
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