When the summer months wind down and the fall crisp air sets in, many of your favorite birds migrate. They take mini vacations to warmer areas for the cold winters. Pigeons don’t. If you're in Indiana, Kentucky, or Illinois, you will see pigeons all year round.
Pigeons, also known as European rock doves, were first brought to the U.S. as domesticated pets. When some of these birds escaped their homes and moved outdoors, they became feral birds. Now you see them as feral gangs around your home, in the park, and outside your work window. Pigeons can be anywhere, they gather on farms, in feed mills and grain elevators, on city buildings, under bridges, and in the shed near your backyard. Where there are humans, there are pigeons.
Pigeons will stick around as long as you give them a suitable place to live, eat, drink, and feel protected from the elements. Areas where pigeons are commonly spotted are areas where they have unlimited access to your food and food waste, and where they can roost, nest, and loaf.
Where you see pigeons, you also see their poop. Pigeon droppings are everywhere: cars, benches, sidewalk, signs, buildings, and outdoor structures. Not only is it unsightly, pigeon droppings are corrosive, especially if you don’t get rid of it right away. Even plants and vegetation are at risk if exposed to large accumulations. Large areas of droppings are hotbeds for a dangerous fungus called histoplasmosis, which attacks the respiratory system and can cause serious harm to those exposed to it.
If you are a business owner or manager, you need to get rid of pigeons and stop them from coming back. These birds are a year-round nuisance that can become costly if exclusion and prevention techniques are not done properly - or at all.
Do not attract pigeons with food. Yes, that means addressing dumpster and sanitation issues in and around your facility as well as removing any potential food source. While it may be tempting to try do-it-yourself pigeon traps or chemical products you saw online it is not recommended; they are not only dangerous but also ineffective. You must also employ deterrent techniques to prevent pigeons from roosting. Pigeon exclusion requires screens, mesh, and other preventative materials. In some cases, property owners and managers have resorted to electric control systems and steel spikes.
As you can see, pigeon control is not as easy as you think. You will spend a lot of time and money trying to get rid of pigeons, hoping that one solution will work. Don’t spin your wheels. For commercial facilities infested with pigeons in KY, IN, and IL contact Action Pest Control for an effective pigeon control solution. Call now today to see how our pigeon plan stands out and protects your property all year long.