The Feral Pigeon (Columbia livia)
The feral pigeon is the number one urban pest throughout the world. Descended from birds that were originally domesticated for food, these birds have reverted to the wild state, but now live in close proximity to Man. Much loved by the general public, they are responsible for most of the bird fouling of buildings in towns and the transmission of bird diseases such as orthinosis and now also believed to be potential transmitters of the avian flu. They are also significant carriers of bird lice.

The Starling (Sturnis vulgaris)
The starling can be a major problem in certain localities and of no significance in others. The problem occurs when large numbers (can be tens of thousands) gather for night roosting. The noise, smell, and excessive fouling caused by these congregations can be horrendous. Fungi associated with the dried guano can give rise to serious human disease problems. Significant carriers of bird lice.

The Herring Gull (larus spp.)
These large birds are causing an increasingly significant problem due to their recent use of building sites for breeding colonies. The noise, smell and mess associated with such sites can cause serious distress to those the buildings concerned. Water damage through gutter blockage is often caused.

Indian Myna (Acridotheres tristis)
Competes strongly with native birds. Nest in hollows and building cavities. Renowned carriers of bird mites. Known elsewhere as major means of the spread of harmful weeds. Similar habits to starlings and gather in huge numbers for night roosting. Culprits of excessive noise, odour and fouling,

Pigeons carry significantly more diseases that are harmful to humans than rats, yet we wouldn’t dream of feeding or allowing the rat to live around our homes or workplace!

Risks to ourselves and damage to buildings can be prevented!
Carry out an inspection of roof area and as a result of the survey provide a risk assessment report in regards to the occupation of occasional as well as resident birds nesting and or roosting on or in the building

Various proofing methods are available to deter roosting.

The feeding of pigeons attracts rats and mice, which take any uneaten food. Pigeon nests, droppings and dead carcasses provide a home for a wide variety of insects. These infestations can spread into buildings causing nuisance, damage and
skin irritation.

Remember, the key to the most effective method to keep birds off, and out of buildings, is to deny them any access to enter, or use, the building as a nest or roosting site

Common Pigeon Control Techniques

Many techniques have been used for controlling pigeons around buildings all of which have advantages and disadvantages. Some of the more common techniques currently employed are listed below when considering control options it is useful to distinguish those that reduce pigeon numbers in an area or merely modify their behaviour

Food reduction

This is the most successful long term measure for controlling absolute numbers of pigeons in an area. During the Second World War, reduction of food availability dramatically reduced the numbers of pigeons despite the increase in suitable nesting and roosting sites.
Food reduction may be difficult to impossible where pigeons are constantly being fed by the public.

Poisons and narcotic baits

Narcotic baits are available which stupefy the birds. They may then be collected and disposed of by licensed bird handlers. This alarms other birds in the flock and they will avoid the location in the future. Unfortunately, pigeons soon become accustomed to this environment and in a short time will return as normal. Poisoning of birds is illegal in Australia.

Trapping

Pigeons may be caught in live traps after a short period of confidence baiting. A large proportion of a flock feeding in a given area can be removed by this technique. Traps require a private area for operation and regular attention by an experienced operator. The problem of this technique and others that involve the removal of birds from an area without reducing the suitability of the environment is that other birds will soon move in from adjacent areas.

Birth control and removal of nest sites

Baits impregnated with birth control agents can be used but have limited uses as decreases in reproduction are made up by increased recruitment of birds from other areas. Removal of nest sites reduces reproduction but more importantly obliges breeding birds to leave the area. Nesting activity is a major source of the detritus blocking drainage around the building.

Bird scarers

Bird scarers may be visual, audio, mechanical or a combination. The use of noxious stimuli such as loud sirens or explosions often becomes ineffective. These techniques are also unacceptable around occupied buildings due to the disturbance and nuisance they cause to people.

Bird nets

Fine, standard large mesh plastic nets are used to exclude pigeons from areas of a building. They may be used in large sections to wall off whole areas or in small strips to prevent pigeon access to individual features such as air conditioning units. Fixing should be by stainless steel pins and wires. Colour is generally black to reduce decay of the plastic by ultra violet sunlight. Netting is a very effective and economical way of preventing pigeon damage on a building, but may have the following problems: netting may give a hazy appearance to buildings with finely detailed decoration and it may be obtrusive on light or brightly coloured buildings. The use of netting in small sections requires relatively high numbers of fixing points and it has a life of five to ten years. The heaviest gauge netting possible should be used and special attention paid to reinforcing it at edges or attachment points. If this is not done it will soon tear loose. In large areas and in exposed locations the net should be reinforced with stainless steel wire

Sprung wires

Stainless steel wire may be mounted on thin stainless steel brackets via short springs of the same material. These are placed a few inches above ledges at an appropriate height to interfere with landing and take-off by the pigeons. This is especially useful on narrow ledges and very cost effective where long straight runs of a few metres can be laid. Such wiring is unobtrusive, is easily removed and replaced for maintenance work, and has a life of at least ten years

Spikes

Several different systems of stainless steel or plastic spikes are available for fitting to buildings to discourage pigeons from landing. Although some of these are quite effective they suffer from a number of problems; sharp steel spikes pose some danger to maintenance personnel, litter may become caught on the spikes, build-up of faeces makes them ineffective, their appearance may be unattractive, they are relatively expensive and they may require more fixing points than nets or wires

Repellent gels

A number of adhesive gels are available which are spread on surfaces so as to make them unpleasant for the birds to perch. These can be effective when fresh. However they are expensive and loose their effect after a year or so. This means they require regular replacement and are uneconomical in most cases. Gels are unsuitable for extremely dusty environments. The gels can also cause damage or fouling problems themselves and can be very difficult to clean off a building once applied. They may be unattractive and hazardous for those working on the treated surfaces

Specialised investigation

The control of pigeons and related pigeon problems requires the co-ordinated application of a combination of measures and attention to detail. Application of single technique is at best inefficient and is often ineffective. What is required therefore is a careful assessment of the pigeon problem, the ecological factors favouring the pigeons and those factors that could be most cost effectively controlled. This necessitates a site investigation and some analysis.

Site investigation

A specialist investigation should be carried out to determine the activity of the feral pigeons at the building. Often the most significant problems are not immediately obvious and those which may be causing most management disquiet, may in reality be trivial. The short and long term consequence of the problem should be assessed and costed so that their relative importance is appreciated.
This should include mapping numbers, activity through a 24 hour period, identifying feeding sites, roosting sites, nesting sites and loafing areas.
The effect of current and previous pigeon control measures should be noted. It is important to identify which of the pigeon’s activities are causing the identified problems. For example, nesting activity causing blocked drains, or roosting causing faecal contamination.

Remedial Program

A comprehensive remedial programme should be developed using the results of the investigation and analysis. Only rarely will it be possible to eliminate a pigeon population or to totally exclude pigeons from a building. In most cases, a significant percentage reduction in pigeon numbers or the control of a particularly damaging activity is all that is required. Appreciation of this fact by the client will prevent disappointment.

Routine inspection and cleaning

The building should be routinely inspected for pigeons, fresh faeces, nesting materials and pigeon related problems such as blocked roof drainage systems. The building should also be checked for building defects that could allow pigeon access to the interior of the roof spaces. Any detritus should be cleaned off the structure and any defects should be repaired as necessary. Such a program would require a minimum of monthly inspection. Again, provision of adequate access and equipment is very important.

Food reduction

A continuous policy of food restriction should be applied around the building. This should involve the elimination of refuse and litter by regular cleaning, the use of pigeon proof refuse containers, and public education to discourage voluntary feeding. This is the most important measure in any pest control strategy

Management measures

Responsibility for aspects of the control of the pigeon problem must be specifically included in the programs for the management of the cleaning and maintenance of the building. Occupational Health & Safety must be taken into account due to the inherent dangers that roosting birds can present.

Conclusions

The control of feral pigeons is a management problem which requires the continuous application of a number of measures over a period of time. Control is therefore unlikely to be achieved by the application of a single product or technique. The most important measures to be taken are often general maintenance and management works. This is especially true as total elimination of the pigeons and their associated problems is unlikely to be cost effective or even achievable]

RID Pest Control has extensive experience in all aspects of bird control, including commercial, domestic, public housing and strata title.
Call us for an on site, obligation free quote.

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