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Controlling Pigeon Population

29 11:24:37
If you're living in the city, chances are you regularly see flocks of pigeons flying above your house or building. Pigeons thrive in the cities because the availability of food, water and shelter. They are safe from predators in the city, too. Sometimes these flocks can multiply so fast the pigeons soon become a nuisance. Killing these pigeons is not really the right animal control solution. There are better and more humane ways to solve the pigeon problem.

Take away the food source

Pigeons can get by eating garbage and handouts but they also love the food given to them by people who intentionally feed them. This may seem a kind act until you realize that they begin to show up in your space in larger numbers. The best way to deal with this is to simply stop feeding them. You will notice their numbers dwindle after some time as they move to other places with more food sources. You should also clean up after eating out in the open. The crumbs and leftovers after a picnic in the park will attract the flock. Don't worry about the pigeons starving to death; there will always be food out there that they can survive on.

Prevent them from roosting and nesting

Flat surfaces attract pigeons because it is the perfect place for them to roost and nest. There are animal control products you can get in the hardware store that you can use to make your flat surfaces inaccessible to the birds. You can put metal or wood sheathing to window ledges. You can install bird wires to ward off the birds from rooftops, awnings railings and ledges. For more extreme measures, there are strips available that produce mild electric shocks to ward off the flock.

Make them use birth control

It's not what you think. Birth control for pigeons comes in the form of kibble-type food designed to limit the population of the birds. When eaten regularly, the kibble make the pigeon lay eggs that have failed to develop. It is an effective way to reduce the hatching rates of the birds and control their population.

Pigeons and droppings

Contrary to popular belief, fresh droppings from pigeons are not considered as health risks. Therefore the presence of bird droppings is not reason enough to employ inhumane animal control methods to get rid of pigeons. This does not mean that you can touch droppings just like that. It's still a must to wash your hands if you ever come in contact with any type of animal droppings.