When you have pigeons on your roof, they can be a real nuisance and cause plenty of destruction over time.
Pigeons reproduce quickly and it is hard to get rid of them once they have settled in.
A population typically grows at a rate of about 30 to 35% every year and as they don’t migrate, every newly hatched pigeon just makes the flock bigger.
Problems pigeons cause on a roof
You need to get rid of pigeons on your roof because of the problems they cause and there are several methods you can use to do so.
A combination of solutions often works best and using OvoControl’s pigeon control program is the only way to effectively reduce the pigeon population over time.
One of the problems pigeons can cause is that they build their nests in gutters preventing water from flowing off the roof as it should.
Water can accumulate and eventually cause leaks due to water damage.
The droppings can also act like a sponge and draw in water, causing excess weight on the roof.
The droppings are corrosive and over time, they will destroy building materials. Pigeons can also carry diseases.
Physically exclude them with netting
One way to deal with a pigeon problem is to physically exclude them.
There are many types of bird netting today that are durable and almost invisible.
Bird netting can work well on roofs with eaves and pitches that attract pigeons.
The netting is available in various dimensions and is held in place by steel retaining wire.
It’s best to have netting installed by professionals. If it isn’t done properly, it can trap the pigeons.
Netting can be costly but it will effectively prevent pigeons from building nests in certain areas of your roof.
What it won’t do, however, is reduce the pigeon population using your roof as a home.
Remove some of the factors that attract them
Using bird netting can stop them from building nests but if you still have a high pigeon population, it is probably because they have access to plenty of water and food.
Getting rid of some of these food and water sources can make a difference. Make sure you keep pet food indoors and don’t use bird feeders.
Garbage bins should be well sealed and ponds covered with nets.
Deter them with physical objects
Physical deterrents like steel spikes will keep pigeons from finding comfortable places to roost on your roof.
If you’re worried about aesthetics, clear plastic spikes are barely visible and polycarbonate varieties are durable and require minimal maintenance.
There are various other products on the market besides spikes that also make it physically uncomfortable for pigeons to roost and some that give them a mild shock.
You can also deter pigeons from nesting by using decoy birds of prey, such as raptors.
There are many different versions of decoy birds of prey available on the market, including those that move their heads.
Ones that move are more effective than a decoy bird that just sits still.
Pigeons quickly lose their fear of an object that stays still all the time.
Use their senses against them
Any reflective object will help to deter pigeons because they are sensitive to flashes of light which can make them feel disorientated.
Any shining, spinning object will work, such as CDs, small mirrors or aluminum foil strips.
Ultrasonic emitters emit high-frequency sounds that the pigeons can hear but humans can’t.
These devices are usually battery or solar-powered so you don’t need electricity for them to work on your roof.
The sounds are irritating to the pigeons and some of them emit the sound of birds in distress or predators to keep pigeons away.
Applying a clear sticky gel that isn’t noticeable can also deter pigeons from wanting to roost.
They don’t like the sticky effect and will soon fly off. One of the problems with using gels or pastes is that you need to keep reapplying them.
Reduce pigeon production
If pigeons are just an annoyance, sometimes combining an exclusion and repellent program can offer temporary relief.
However, if you have a thriving pigeon population on your roof, it is likely to just keep growing and growing.
Some professional companies offer a birth control program for pigeon populations.
An automatic feeder releases pellets every day containing a compound that prevents eggs from hatching.
The reproductive cycle of the female pigeon is disrupted and although she will still mate, the eggs she produces don’t hatch.
This method gradually reduces the pigeon population over time until it’s no longer a problem.
Most of the above methods will work and some work for longer than others.
However, most of them work over a short term and do not reduce the number of pigeons.
Combining them with a method that reduces pigeon production will work best.