pigeons!

[russiandolly]

Not sure if this is the best place to post but any advice welcome...

We have a problem with pigeons roosting on the window ledges of the house. We have the spikes up but to no avail. They are so noisy but the real problem is the mess, obviously.

Has anyone found a solution that actually works? I've read about the fake owl decoys but reviews seem to say that the pigeons clock on quickly. There seem to be liquids/gels/tape...but don't know what to try first.

Thank you!!

[NathalieM]

I have this same problem with pigeons visiting me on my balcony, and I make the stupid mistake of feeding them so they come back.

Anyway, pigeons actually have memories so if you place a owl decoy owl, they'll eventually realise it's fake. I know it sounds crude, but if you keep chasing them away eventually they'll know not to return.

Bets of luck!

[specialsubject]

air pistol.

make sure there's no bird food around. Rearrange the spikes and put them closer. Put something sticky on the sill so you don't have to shoot a moving target... ok, bit heartless that one.

regular scaring does work. Fake owls are just good places to perch.

[oneflewoutofthecrazynest]

what about shooting them with a water pistol? I use water pistols on kittens when i need to change bad behaviour, they learn pretty quickly

[PlainHunting]

We have a huge problem with pigeon mess. Ever morning there's several fresh piles on the lawn and they're massive - have to be cleared up like dog poo. They've eaten all our peas in the veg patch and now have started on the strawberries.

I think shooting them might be the only thing that works. Last year a neighbour used to do this every few days. Unfortunately they've moved on and we are overrun with the blasted things

[EvaBee]

It really does work to shoo them away. We moved in to a flat years ago and there was a problem with pigeons outside, perching on a mutual window ledge. It took maybe 4 weeks but everytime we saw them we shooed them away/threw water over them. They never came back after that. I still visit that flat and they haven't returned.

[russiandolly]

Thanks very much everyone! It looks like I need to be start shooing them away and be persistent with it. I'm up for the challenge...