Cactus Village Community

PIGEONS: YOU CAN’T LIVE WITH THEM

Aug 15, 2003

And you can?’t shoot them (at least not within City limits). But City pigeons are not protected by Federal or State law, and any (other) reasonable means of controlling pigeons is legally permissible, says the Game and Fish Department in their ?“self-help?” information packet about pigeon problems.

Wild animals will return repeatedly to opportunities presented by people?’s actions, and property owners should either accept wildlife or modify their immediate environment to remove whatever is attracting the pests. Animals have three basic needs--food, water and shelter?—and are attracted to a particular piece of property to satisfy one or more of these needs. The Department suggests working with neighbors to achieve a consistent solution to the problem situation, and bearing in mind that doing a combination of things is better than doing just one of them.

The single most effective way to control pigeon problems is to deny them access to their preferred roost or nest sites. Trapping is a possibility, but pigeons must usually be killed to prevent their return after release. Unwanted pigeon nests can be destroyed, and repeated destruction may discourage subsequent nesting.
The Department recommends elimination of food supplies, such as spilled grain, garbage, fallen fruit and bird seed.

It also recommends modifying existing structures to block openings to lofts, vents or eaves with ?¾ inch wire mesh, plastic or nylon netting, or aluminum flashing; changing the angle of roosting ledges to 45 degrees or more using sheet metal or wood; applying porcupine wires (prongs with sharp points extending outward at all angles), fastened to a solid base which is then installed on a popular roosting ledge; and removing dead fronds from palm trees. Check out bbssales@birdbarrier.com or call 800-503-5444 for more information on innovative products designed to deter pigeon roosting or nesting.
The use of repellents is also recommended. These would include devices such as an electronic bird control system (a cable embedded with a pulsating electric charge); applying ?“Tanglefoot?” (a sticky substance birds don?’t like); or using non-toxic chemical repellents.

Remember that any self-defense method you employ will also be a potential hazard for birds you do like, so choose your weapons wisely. And, while killing pigeons is not unlawful, a poison intended for pigeons may be ingested by other birds or by pets who get hold of them. . . ☻