How to Get Rid of Pigeons

1. Use an Ultrasonic Bird Repeller That Works

Our favorite option to remove and deter pigeons around your property or living space is to install an electronic bird repeller.

3. Use Scary Decoys

The use of the old “scarecrow” method can work just as well for deterring pigeons.

Pigeons will not like it if they see a large replica of an owl or other predator, such as a large snake or large black crow.

4. Use a Bird Repellent Gel

The most direct way you can keep a pigeon off your window sill, ledges, chimney, tree limbs and more is to use a sticky substance in these spots where they land and sit.

Nothing repels pigeons and other birds better than sticking it to ’em, so to speak.

How Does It Work?
You might be thinking this is a deadly and messy approach if you’re imagining birds getting trapped in a thick, gooey mess.

This is not the same as those glue rat traps, where small rodents endure a long and slow death as they can’t escape with their feet glued to a pad.

Thankfully, bird gel doesn’t work like that.

This is merely a translucent paste that is gel-based. A light coat simply covers the surfaces where pigeons like to perch.

As they approach, they pick up on a repulsive scent. If they do land, the tacky-to-sticky feel will bother them, and they’ll leave.

Why You’ll Like It
The biggest reason you’ll like this is because no normal bird will want to keep their feet on it.

If the scent doesn’t get rid of pigeons then the sticky texture will.

Once you get the hang of it, you’ll find that only a thin layer is needed to do the job.

If you put on too much, then too many other things like leaves, insects or even small birds may actually get stuck in it.

It can easily be removed with mineral spirits and a rag as needed.

One added bonus:

It can stop other annoying pests like ants in their tracks too.

And depending on where you put it around your doors or windows, even your average spider won’t get past it.

Advantages:

• Non-toxic
• Includes a scent that instantly sends pigeons away
• Can last up to a year before requiring reapplication
• A little bit goes a long way
• Virtually invisible
• Works on all birds, including woodpeckers, nesting sparrows, starlings, robins, etc.

Disadvantages:

• Can be messy so must work with it carefully
• Requires a standard caulking gun, but easy to apply with the gun
• Can get dirty if in a high-dust region

5. Set Up Deterrent Reflectors

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Bird reflectors are highly reflective materials that create chaotic dances with light.

They have been a time-proven solution. Reflectors come in many forms but “flash” tape gives you the most versatility for placement and hanging options.

Bird tape is a great compliment to spikes, netting and other scare tactics as an additional force against pigeons.

How Does It Work?
The tape is made with a holographic pattern that interacts with light in ways that disorientate birds.

The sharp iridescence provides a rainbow of quickly changing colors, making a unique reflecting pattern that sticks out in the environment.

This is unsettling for pigeons, woodpeckers and the like.

Add in a little breeze, and the effect is enhanced. Air movement will also cause it to make a noise when hanging straight down.

While it’s called, “tape” there is nothing adhesive on it. You simply tie it into place.

You can also glue, tack or nail it onto structures depending on where you put it.

The most effective way to install it is to simply hang it vertically and let it do its magic.

Why You’ll Like It
You have so many options when it comes to placement for scare tape.

You can affix it to fascia boards, chimneys, trees or other objects around your garden or patio.

It’s super easy to install as it’s lightweight and completely flexible.

Also, customer service for the company “De-Bird” that sells the scare tape above is top-notch.

They are always responsive and offer guarantees if things don’t work out. You can’t beat that.

Advantages:

• Highly durable and will last through all the outdoor elements
• Reflectors are specific to birds, so won’t scare other wildlife
• Very inexpensive
• Great add-on to other pigeon deterrents

Disadvantages:

• Can stick out as unsightly, depending on how much you use
• Needs light to work

6. Install an Automatic Water Jet

 

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Some homeowners simply want to be as combative as possible when controlling pigeons.

I guess sometimes we want to go to war when we’re out of patience.

Well, there’s an answer that isn’t too brutal…water blasts!

But we can’t always be standing outside armed and ready with our water hose. That’s where an automatic jet sprayer comes in.

How Does It Work?
Just like it sounds, a forceful spray of water will get any pigeon up and running (flying).

This nifty device works by connecting to your hose or irrigation system.

It comes with a battery-controlled (long-lasting), sensitive motion sensor that activates the forceful sprinkler as soon as motion is detected.

The range of detection is decent at 30-feet and the spray will blast for 5 seconds.

When it engages and the valve options, a clicking sound occurs. This sound alone can begin to frighten birds away.

When staked, you can go right at ground level or elevated.

The sprayer can be mounted or simply staked into the ground near where your pigeon problem is.

Why You’ll Like It
Aside from the device itself, you don’t have any scare tactic materials to look at like you do with reflective tape or “scarecrow” approaches.

If you like more “gotcha back” remedies to getting rid of pigeons, this is the solution for you.

It’s also pretty adjustable, so you can set:

• The range of sensitivity to the desired amount
• The detection angle so you can set it up high for pigeons
• The spray amount (volume) you want when activated
• The sprinkler head so you can aim it directly at the spot where your flying intruders fly in or roost

A nighttime option is available so you can decide if it should go off during different times of the day.

Advantages:

• Fast squirts of water are 100% humane (but fun!)
• Uses only water, so no clean-up
• Works on other unwanted wildlife
• Works during both day and night
• You can defend a large area with one device

Disadvantages:

• Really only meant for gardens and yards
• Doesn’t know the difference between birds, pets or people!

7. Trap and Get Rid of Unwanted Pigeons

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Trapping is another good standby when it comes to removing unwanted pests.

There’s not too much to a pigeon trap other than to set it out, leave it, then move and release the pigeons far from where you live once you’ve captured them.

How Does It Work?
As a double-door trap style, the model linked above works by baiting a pigeon in from either side.

When the trigger plate is hit, the doors will close trapping the pigeon(s) inside.

An attractive bait is required of course. You can try seeds, fruits, vegetables, cracked corn, wheat or millet.

Check out more here to see what pigeons generally like eating.

You might try feeding them without the trap at first.

Then, once they’re hooked on your meals they’ll have no problem entering the trap when you place it in there and holler “order up!”

Why You’ll Like It
A trap like this is perfect if you just have a small family of pigeons you want to remove for good.

It’s pretty effective. Just take your time on the baiting at first as described above.

Advantages:

• 100% humane once you release your captured birds
• Will not trap squirrels or smaller birds
• No batteries or installation considerations required
• Long lasting, as the cage is made from rust-proof stainless steel

Disadvantages:

• Can only get one or two birds at a time, so not for large group infestations
• May need some time to find the perfect bate

8. Create Some Homemade Remedies

With all the solutions listed above, there are certainly ways to replicate some of them. Scare tactics can be created when it comes to visual devices.

People have used reflective materials such as old mirrors or pretty much anything shiny they don’t mind hanging around their property/

If you have the time, by all means try your hand at making your own scary owl or predator.

One folklore is using rice to kill pigeons and decrease their local population.

The idea is that after eating a bunch of dry rice, it will expand in their stomachs, and they will die.

What happens is the stomach will let go of the expanding rice back out the way it came, and the over-stuffed bird will live on.

In the end though, you have to figure out what your time is worth in your pursuit to get pigeons off your property.

Anything you make will either require using some kind of supplies.

You can certainly use things you have, but buying an existing anti-pigeon product just means you’re investing in the research that others have already done.

Advantages:

• Most solutions won’t cost much
• Will work well if there are just a couple of pigeons you want to dissuade
• Can make use of supplies you already have at home

Disadvantages:

• Can be trial and error until you get something that works
• Definitely requires imagination and maybe some DIY building skill

9. Annoy Them Back

One such tactic is to create loud noises or spray them with a hose each time they arrive, or if they begin to settle in for a nap.

Like humans, pigeons will soon realize that your yard or garden is not a fun place to camp out, and they will leave.

If you feel like you want to vent some frustration, this method may be for you.

Unfortunately, pigeons may not learn all that fast. It may take many tries before they seek other places to go that are more peaceful.

The irony is you’re trying to improve your environment, so reacting to a pigeon sighting may not be the most peaceful for you.

That said, annoying these guys back may give you some satisfaction.

It’s kind of like banging on your neighbor’s wall the next morning after they kept you up late with a loud party.

Advantages:

• Won’t cost you anything
• You might get some emotional satisfaction

Disadvantages:

• There are many other more effective ways that just work better and faster

10. Remove Things that Attract Pigeons in the First Place

Other than thinking your home is like their home in the wilderness (with small caves and protective perches), you need to find out if there are other reasons for these flying friends to be around so much.

Like any pest, your goal is to take away what they like.

For example, to rid paper-eating silverfish you need to remove or cover up paper and cardboard, etc.

For pigeons, make sure any pet food or garbage is out of site and smell, and/or unreachable by these hungry birds.

If you live in a densely populated city, removing pigeons by trying to put away food and trash may be a challenge – they love to go where there is free food, of course.

Remove any standing water. You already know any bird loves water to drink and bathe in. Get rid of these drinking holes and baths.

Netting is a great answer if you have fruits and vegetables growing in your garden.

There’s not much you can do about these edible items attracting pigeons.

But using the blocking technique mentioned earlier will do just fine.

Advantages:

• Can cut down on the prevalence of pigeons
• Great first step in getting rid of pigeons around your place
• Helps ward off other critters too when you clean up and get food out of sight

Disadvantages:

• Not always easy in the case of gardening (use the remedies listed above)

Stop Pigeons with These Helpful Methods

First, you can deter pigeons from around your yard, patio or roof using the special ultra-sonic sound maker method.

This noise drives feral pigeons away and keeps them from coming back. It’s easily the most effective method and pragmatic one since you can’t hear it, and other than the little machine itself, doesn’t require any unsightly apparatus to put up.

Our favorite model is the Hoont Ultrasonic Pest Repeller (see more about this here). Sound methods affect other animals though, so if you just want to discourage city pigeons from landing on window ledges or other small spots, repeller gel is a great option. 

Blocking these pests from causing damage to your property or business is another effective strategy to utilize. Products like bird spikes or even simply placing pieces of broken bottles are sharp, pointy rocks can often keep a family of street pigeons from roosting around areas of your home or building, such as outdoor window sills or railings. 

You can effectively scare off incoming pigeons using shiny reflectors or decoys of larger birds like owls to frighten the pigeons away. This tactic works well in gardens, around sheds or even decks and balconies if you live in an apartment. 

Fighting back against these birds (officially named: Columba livia domestica) is another (fun?) way to make them go away.

If you have some space, we like the motion-activated water jet.

Yes, it will work on stray animals and other wildlife but any uninvited pigeons will leave if a fast and sudden spurt of water comes in their direction. A few of these, and they’ll be trained to relocate sooner than later. 

If you trap a pigeon, that’s one less to deal with. In fact, if you can install traps correctly, you can eradicate these guys one-by-one permanently. This approach is probably the most involved because it entails removing the pigeons you’ve trapped and uprooting them to another location. It works though if you just have a small infestation on your hands.

Annoying pigeons back is the cheapest, most cost effective way to discourage them and keep them out. You can literally use alarming sounds like banging pots and pans, spraying with water or even throwing ice cubes at them. While this is “free” these techniques may be more trouble than it’s worth.

Prevention is key…

Next, prevention is always the preliminary action you should take in your process.

This simply means dismissing anything around where you live that might attract or draw pigeons in. So, for example, don’t leave food or odorous garbage out and easily accessible. Just decontaminate and keep things orderly, including pet areas.

Ensure Fido’s feeding station stays indoors. Be sure to inspect your surroundings often and keep your guard up. Be a vigilante and watch for places where birds can nest and set up shop. If you do this right, you won’t have to worry much with extermination as you may eliminate the problem proactively.

Lastly, it’s worth mentioning that utilizing a combination of any of the above pigeon deterrents can be the magic formula. For example, use two or three remedies to protect against these dirty and annoying birds.

FAQs

How to Keep Pigeons Off Your Balcony?

There are a few ways you can keep pesky pigeons off your balcony:

• Hang wind chimes, colorful pinwheels, or other visual deterrents
• Hang a decoy of an animal that scares pigeons, such as an owl or snake
• Seal away crevices or openings where pigeons can linger
• Install reflective surfaces in your balcony
• Use ultrasound pigeon repellers

How to Get Rid of Pigeons in a Barn?

Here are some methods you can employ to make sure pigeons stay away from your barn:

• Install reflective objects around the barn to deter and disorient pigeons
• Set up decoy predators, such as owls which scare pigeons (they’ll look naturally around your barn setting!)
• Invest in ultrasonic sound repellers
• Install pigeon spikes in places they are likely to land such as barn rafters
• Keep barn cats – they will help you keep other pests away as well

What Smell Do Pigeons Hate?

Pigeons have strong senses of smell that you can use against them.

They hate certain smells, and you can turn them into repellants:

• Chili peppers
• Vinegar
• Cinnamon
• Garlic and onions
• Black pepper
• Cumin
• Jalapeños

Place small pouches of these spices on your balcony to keep pigeons away.

You can also spray peppermint essential oil or strong perfumes on areas that pigeons are attracted to.

Here’s to Pigeon-Free Success

Pigeons do more than just bring annoyance.

Unwanted nests can pose fire hazards. And their droppings can destroy your home’s paint, eat through concrete walks and patios, and air conditioning systems.

Corrosive excrement is responsible for some hefty damage to our homes and even our cars.

Doing something about it before it’s too late is entirely in your favor.

In this guide, you’ve learned a number of ways to get rid of pigeons that are living around you.

Remember to make observations about where they go, and then use our recommendations above and perhaps a little creativity to prevent and block them and force them to vacate.

Since these birds are not native to North America, there is nothing to protect forceful pigeon removal if you need to resort to drastic measures.

Hopefully, the above humane methods will deter them away from around where you live.

You’re sure to enjoy your home and surroundings much better once you have some peace and quiet and fewer messes on your hands.

Hey, you can always go enjoy pigeons in the park or the city square!