Pigeons are a common sight in urban and suburban areas, where they can often be seen perching on buildings, wires, and other structures. While many people view them simply as nuisance birds, pigeons seem particularly attracted to houses for several reasons. Understanding what draws pigeons to residences can help homeowners find ways to discourage them from settling around their property.
Food sources
One of the main factors that attracts pigeons to houses is the availability of food sources. Pigeons are opportunistic birds that thrive on human food waste and refuse. They congregate wherever people toss out bread crumbs, spilled grains, fast food wrappers, and other edible litter. Areas around homes with garbage cans, compost piles, pet food bowls, and bird feeders offer easy meals for pigeons. They will also forage for food scraps dropped by messy outdoor diners and picnickers. With a nearly endless supply of food waste around houses, pigeons have plenty of incentives to frequent backyards and patios.
Nesting sites
In addition to scavenging for food, pigeons are drawn to the many potential nesting sites they find on and around houses. They prefer protected nooks and ledges on the exterior of buildings where they can build nests out of sticks, grass, feathers, and other found materials. The eaves, roofs, gutters,window ledges, screened-in porches, and outer walls of homes often provide ideal pigeon nesting spots, as do garages, sheds, barns, and other outbuildings. Pigeons tend to return to the same nesting areas year after year, further establishing colonies around houses where they have successfully raised young before.
Shelter
Houses provide more than just food and nesting grounds for pigeons. They also offer shelter from predators and harsh weather. Overhangs on roofs, balconies, covered exterior stairwells, and other architectural features on homes allow pigeons to find protected areas to roost. Compare this to flat office building exteriors, which offer little shelter. The many nooks on houses allow pigeons to tuck themselves safely out of the wind, rain, and snow. Houses basically resemble the rocky cliffs that are the ancestral nesting habitats of pigeons. The shelters that houses provide likely help pigeons survive better in urbanized areas lacking natural nesting sites.
Abundant perches
Pigeons prefer to settle on elevated perches where they have good visibility of their surroundings. This allows them to spot sources of food and watch for predators. Houses provide plenty of convenient perches for pigeons on rooflines, gutters, windowsills, ledges, railings, TV antennas, chimneys, and fences. The abundance of wires and cables around homes also supply additional perching spots. Pigeons particularly like flat, wide surfaces where they can comfortably settle. By perching on houses, pigeons have a better vantage point for finding food and feeling secure compared to staying on the ground.
Human activity
The typical activity around homes attracts pigeons looking for handouts and food waste. Wherever people gather outdoors to dine, relax, play, or work, pigeons will eagerly scavenge anything edible left behind. They learn to associate houses with the presence of people and therefore possible food sources. Bird feeders are also a direct source of food from humans that draw in pigeons. Some homeowners even intentionally feed pigeons, further enticing them to frequent yards. Since pigeons are highly adaptable birds that do well living in proximity to people, human dwellings are ideal habitat.
Familiarity
Pigeons often return to the same locations generation after generation, establishing long-term residence around particular houses. They identify familiar surroundings where the flock has successfully raised young before. Once pigeons settle in an area, they will continue flocking there rather than seeking new habitat. This herd mentality leads whole flocks to congregate around houses once a few birds start nesting there. Additionally, young pigeons will return to the place they were born, expanding colonies started by their parents. This behavior pattern makes getting rid of entrenched pigeon flocks challenging.
Availability of grit
In addition to food, pigeons require small pebbles and grit to help digest their food. They supplement their seed diet by foraging for these pebbles, which grind food particles in their crop. The gravel driveways, walkways, roads, and rooftops around houses provide easy access to grit. Without this grit, pigeons would have greater difficulty thriving on the seed, grain, and human food waste they scavenge. Houses provide both the food sources and the required grit that pigeons need.
Do pigeons pose health risks?
Excessive pigeon droppings around a home create messy cleanup chores. More importantly, their droppings can spread diseases:
- Histoplasmosis – This lung infection is caused by fungus that grows in accumulated bird droppings.
- Cryptococcosis – A fungal disease that can infect the lungs and brain.
- Psittacosis – This bacterial disease causes respiratory issues.
- Salmonella – Pigeon droppings may contain this bacteria that leads to food poisoning-like gastrointestinal symptoms.
- Toxoplasmosis – A parasite in droppings can cause this disease especially dangerous to pregnant women.
- Candidiasis – Yeast found in droppings can cause oral thrush and skin infections.
The microbes that cause these diseases can become airborne when dry droppings are stirred up. Follow safety precautions when cleaning areas with significant accumulations of pigeon droppings. Wearing gloves, masks, and protective clothing reduces disease risks. Disinfecting areas after cleaning is also important.
What damage can pigeons cause to a house?
Besides leaving unsightly messes, large pigeon populations nesting on a house can cause property damage:
- Droppings can stain or corrode surfaces they collect on.
- Nesting materials can clog gutters and drains.
- Pigeons carry bugs and mites that can infest structures.
- Their acidic urine can degrade metals.
- Flapping wings wear down paint and weather seals.
- Nests can block ventilation points and equipment.
- Pigeons attempting to build nests inside attics and walls causes damage.
The more time pigeons spend perched on a house, the greater the mess, wear, and deterioration they can cause. Their droppings and feathers also clutter the surrounding property. Get rid of pigeons before their impacts become severe.
Discouraging pigeons from houses
Homeowners wanting to reclaim their space from pigeons have several tactics to deter them:
Remove food and water
Eliminating food sources around the home is key. Keep trash and compost sealed, pet food indoors, and seed trays cleared. Use bird feeders designed to keep pigeons out. Promptly clean any scattered seeds or spills from feeders other birds use. Fix leaky outdoor faucets and drain sprinkler systems to deprive pigeons of drinking water. Consider covering rain collection barrels. With their survival needs unavailable, pigeons have no reason to stick around.
Block roosting spots
Installing deterrents that prevent pigeons from roosting in their usual spots pushes them away. Chicken wire, spikes, coils, and netting can cover ledges, roof peaks, balconies, and other surfaces they frequent.Concave plastic sheeting called “bird slope” makes roosting uncomfortable. Seal openings so they can’t nest inside vents and other crevices. A canopy overhang, debris screen, or branches may discourage roosting above doors and windows. Removing external nests also gives them less incentive to rebuild in the same locations.
Use repellents
Various pigeon repellent products make areas uncomfortable for the birds:
- Pest-control gel repellants applied to ledges cause distress when consumed.
- Ultrasonic devices emit high-frequency sounds annoying to pigeons.
- Motion-activated sprinklers startle pigeons away.
- Predator decoys like plastic hawks can scare pigeons.
- Reflective tape or objects disturb them with flashing and noise.
Be aware ultrasonic devices could also disturb neighbors’ pets. Routinely move around repellents so pigeons don’t acclimate.
Scare techniques
Physically scaring pigeons away by interfering with attempted landings trains them to avoid the area:
- Clap loudly or bang pots when they approach.
- Turn on a hose or spray bottle of water to mimic rain.
- Shine laser lights at them.
- Wave arms wildly to appear threatening.
- Let a herding dog run around to chase pigeons off.
Be persistent day after day in scaring pigeons until they learn not to return.
Professional pigeon removal services
For severe infestations, contact pest control professionals. They have access to specialized products, tools like high-pressure hoses, and can safely remove nests. Technicians seal entry points permanently so pigeons can’t return to roost. Population levels may be reduced through live trapping. A coordinated exclusion plan custom for your property finally gives you back your outdoor space for enjoying, not just dodging pigeon droppings.
Conclusion
While pigeons naturally seek cliffsides for nesting, modern houses mimic the ideal habitat they look for. Abundant food waste and grit, plentiful perches and shelters, and established flocks bring pigeons flocking to the same residential areas repeatedly. By altering the environment to stop attracting pigeons, most homeowners can reclaim their property and protect it from ongoing damage. In severe cases, professional pest control services may be needed to fully evict entrenched pigeon flocks. With persistence and the right deterrents, you can have a pigeon-free home again.