For this post, I have put together a collection of the best pigeon deterrents currently available and 18 tips on how to get rid of pigeons humanely. See all my top picks for the best humane animal deterrents.
Our Top Picks
- Best Overall: Defender Plastic Bird Spikes Pack
- Best Budget Buy: De-Bird Scare Tape
- Best Bird Of Prey Decoy: Defenders Falcon, Decoy Bird Scarer
18 Tips On How To Get Rid Of Pigeons Without Hurting Them
Even if you love pigeons the reality is that they can be a nuisance to humans and other animals.
They drop acidic waste that can cause property damage, carry diseases and tend to bully other birds.
When getting rid of pigeons humanely there are a number of practical traps and repellents. I’ve compiled some of the best tips that target pigeon behaviour – some you can do yourself, others may require outside help.
But don’t worry, no matter the extent of your pigeon problem, you’re in good hands – you’ll find a number of methods that will help you.
Got foxes in the garden? See my top pick for the best fox deterrent.
Use An Ultrasonic Pigeon Repeller
Pigeons, like any bird has an exceptionally good sense of hearing.
They can hear sounds a human simply cannot.
These sounds can alert them to all sorts of things along with the call of other birds, including food, danger or a possible mating partner.
There is a large range of sound devices that will emit sounds to deter pigeons.
These noises can include bird distress calls or the sounds that pigeon predators make. Either way, this denotes your house and territory as somewhere not suitable for a feral pigeon.
Ultrasonic Pigeon Repeller (Roejuyy)
- Works for pigeons/birds and other animals like cats, foxes, dogs.
- 5 different sensitivity modes.
- Pros: You can use batteries or solar powered option, can be mounted into the ground or you can hang it on trees, fences or walls.
- Cons: Doesn’t always deter birds.
- Consumer Score: View buyer reviews. Decent ratings – 70% of buyers give it 4 stars or more.
Use A Decoy Kite
These kite-shaped decoy birds can help deter feral pigeons.
By swaying in the wind they can encourage a pigeon to land somewhere else!
No matter how real they look or even with the flapping in the wind, pigeons will eventually cotton if you keep the kite in one place.
It’s a good idea to place the kite into different positions.
Bird Of Prey Decoy – Hawk Bird Scarer Kite
No products found.
- This is the bestselling bird of prey decoy kite with a large wing span of 102 cm.
- Pros: Works 24/7 with little wind, affordable.
- Cons: Not that durable.
- Consumer Score: No products found.. 68% of buyers give it 4 stars or more.
- Retailers: No products found. and eBay.
Install A Scare Bird Of Prey Decoy
Pigeons are a tasty prey for many birds of prey like hawks, falcons and owls.
Further down we discuss the option of falconry – getting a real life falcon over a visit. But this option is not for everyone and it’s not cheap – doesn’t last forever!
I recommend getting one that is as life like as possible. So this means one that is a similar size, makes similar physical movements and if possible, emits predator like sounds.
Pigeons will also wise up over time if you keep the bird of prey decoy in the same place. It’s best advised to move it regularly.
Owl Decoy
No products found.
- Good size owl bird scarer with rotating head, flashing eyes and hooting sound!
- Requires 3 x AA battery.
- Pros: Can also scare away more than just pigeons – including other birds, squirrels and cats.
- Cons: Doesn’t match description on Amazon.
- Consumer Score: No products found., 2.8 out of 5.
Falcon Decoy
- Easy to set up and install.
- 35 cm tall life-like bird of prey is realistically coloured.
- Pros: Realistic looking.
- Cons: Doesn’t always deter.
- Consumer Score: Mixed reviews, it scores an average 3.3 out of 5.
- Retailers: Amazon and eBay.
Remove Any Food Sources
You may find yourself trying a number of different pigeon deterrent tactics but it’s doing no good.
When this happens it’s usually for a very strong reason. One of these could be a possible food source in and around your home.
In residential areas this could feral pigeon scavenging around rubbish bins or neighbours leaving out food scraps (for foxes or their own animals).
Or for more natural sources pigeons may be drawn to seeds, fruits or berries.
If you’re still scratching your head about a possible, mystical food source then the best thing to do is to observe the pigeons.
If they’re not hanging out around the rubbish bins, are they loitering around particular trees or bushes? Do you notice them pecking on anything on the ground?
Keep a close eye on their behaviour for a while each day to observe their habits.
Remove Bird Bath
Do you have a bird bath or solar water feature for the birds to drink or bathe in?
Unfortunately, although pigeons are not water birds they do love to wash themselves. As well as keeping their feathers in good condition they enjoy cooling down in the water.
If you’ve got a feral pigeon problem it’s best to drain and or remove this bird bath.
Once a flock of pigeons has taken hold in your garden they are also very likely to ward off those other beautiful birds you were hoping to attract with a bird bath.
If you’re keeping the bird bath for visual purposes then be sure to empty it after it rains.
This way you’re removing one more tempting reason for your pigeons to stay.
It’s also a good idea to think of any unintended bird baths that might have formed in your garden. These could be empty plant pots or even holes in your driveway or patio that may serve as a popular bathing area for the local pigeon population.
Use A Bird & Pigeon Laser Repeller
These can be very effective due to the strong light that will put off any pigeons as they are looking for an area to nest or roost.
There are lasers aimed at agricultural use where you need a precise, powerful beam that can work at distances up to 300 metres.
- Industrial solution so this is very expensive but if you’re protecting agriculture then it may well be part of your defense approach.
- Works in urban areas, farms, nurseries, gardens and allotments.
Install Reflective Surfaces To Deter Pigeons
It’s the same principle as lasers but pigeons (and all birds) do not like bright flashes of light.
Bird’s eyes are different to ours and the prism effect of a bright light leaves them feeling disorientated.
So anything you can install that has reflective surfaces will deter pigeons from nesting or roosting near your house
You can either easily source items from around your house or for more extensive coverage there are some excellent items you can buy.
If you look around your home if you have any spare foil in the kitchen, old mirrors or old CDs/DVDs they can work well.
CDs work well as you can use the hole to tie these up and easily hang them.
The randomness of them moving around in the wind and reflecting in different ways will mean the pigeons are less likely to be able to wise up to them and get used to the light if it shines in different ways.
A good option to buy which is low cost and allow you to cover a huge area is reflective scare tape. None of these are toxic and cause no harm to any birds.
Bird Scare Tape from De-Bird (350 ft)
- 350 ft of tape.
- Pros: Durable, easy to install, affordable.
- Cons: It will be noticeable in your garden.
- Consumer Score: Bestselling bid scaring tape with 3.6/5 star ratings.
Falconry
This is the most natural method to deter pigeons because it directly triggers their fight or flight response.
This won’t be everyone and it can be costly but for some it may be a necessary and quicker solution than many of the others.
The method here is to let birds of prey fly over over any problem areas on a regular basis.
Pigeons soon pick up there is a predator in the area and will move on.
Pigeon Spikes – Install Anti-Roosting Spikes
Pigeons regularly nest and roost on any available ledges and a good way to prevent against this, is to install anti-roosting soikes.
Anything you can do to reduce the area the pigeons can get a foot hold will mean it’s more likely they will move onto a more pigeon friendly habitat.
Pigeons are clever creatures though – they’ll work around gaps in spiked areas so it’s important you arrange these densely and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
There are dozens of brands to choose from by recommend these British Manufactured ones from Defender Bird Spikes.
How To Install Pigeon Spikes Video
This is a great video that will help:
- Show you how easy and quick it is to install these pigeon spikes on ledges, window sills, roofs, railings, posts, gutters and many more locations.
- Shows you the basics for installing, along with how to use the Defender Fixing Silicon, how to work out ledge sizes.
Pigeon Spikes – Defender Plastic Bird Spikes Pack | 3 Metre
- Bestselling pigeon spikes from top brand.
- 3 metre pack featured – options for other sizes include 6 metre, 15 metre, 30 metre and 100 metre.
- Stops pigeons & other birds landing, perching or roosting on ledges up to 10 cm wide.
- Huge 40 page guide on pigeon deterrent tips and guides.
- Detailed illustrated installation instructions.
- Pros: Moves pigeons on without injury, easy to fit.
- Cons: The spikes will need to be placed out of the reach of children.
- Consumer Score: Fantastic reviews! 65% of buyers gave these 5 stars.
Set Up A Motion Activated Sprinkler
Adding a motion activated sprinkler to your garden can be a very simple way to stop pigeons and their poo from congregating.
You can buy sprinklers that use a combination of water, movement and sound to deter pigeons and other unwanted animals from your garden. A bonus benefit is you also get a well watered garden.
The Orbit 62100 Yard Enforcer is one such sprinkler that gets excellent buyer feedback.
Best Motion Activated Sprinkler – Orbit 62100 Yard Enforcer
- Works at night and day, all year round.
- 120º infrared sensor that can detect animals and birds up to 40 feet away.
- 30-minute watering cycle, letting it work as as an animal repellent and a sprinkler for your garden.
- It runs on four AA batteries.
- Pros: Doubles as a sprinkler, effective pest deterrent.
- Cons: Pricey.
- Consumer Score: Excellent reviews. 77% of buyers gave this 4 stars or greater.
- There is another model (62610) – same feature set with the key difference being it’s on a metal tripod. This means it can “see” over tall bushes and shrubs to repel larger animals.
Install Pigeon Netting
It can be incredibly frustrating for you if your fruit harvest has been decimated by pigeons.
One of the best ways to prevent this from happening is to add pigeon netting – this stops them from landing in the first place on your plants.
Pigeon Netting For The Garden – Henry Cowls
- Inexpensive netting to protect crops, buildings, cat pens, aviaries, chicken runs, dovecots.
- Constructed from heavy duty, knotted, non-stretch, UV stabilised polyethylene and will last for years.
- Available in a range of sizes: 5m x 5m (Featured), 5m x 10m, 5m x 15m, 5m x 20m, 10 x 10m, 10m x 15m, 10m x 20m, 15m x 20, 15m x 15m, 15m x 20m, 20m x 20m.
- Pros: Affordable, strong.
- Cons: Comes wrapped so you will need to unravel.
- Consumer Score: Very good reviews. 62% of buyers gave this 5 stars.
Pigeon Netting Tips
- Leave at least six inches between your pigeon netting and the nearest branch to avoid the birds nibbling at it through the mesh.
- It’s also worth installing it at a steep angle so the pigeons won’t be tempted to land on them.
- If using bird netting to protect your fruits or vegetables, remember to make a small access hole for harvest.
- Don’t install the netting on a windy day.
- While netting will prevent birds from easily accessing within, don’t expect the fix to last forever. Over time, netting will deteriorate, leaving holes or gaps that pigeons can easily slip through.
Install Weatherproof String
A very gentle way to deter pigeons is to install fine, almost invisible string over any favourite perching spots.
As a pigeon comes to land on a promising (or well used!) perching spot they become caught off balance on this ‘hidden’ string.
- Go for a weatherproof string type otherwise you’ll be replacing it regularly.
- And keep it as tight as possible.
- Aim to tie it around one inch or so above the surface.
Install Parallel Wires
Bird wire is an almost invisible tensioned wire system that deters pigeons and other birds from perching and nesting.
It’s a less aggressive method than many otjhers to discourage pigeons from setting on window sills and ledges.
Pigeon Wire – Birdgo 100m 0.7mm
- This is 100mm thick and made from UV plastic coated stainless steel.
- Use with nickel plated copper crimps and springs between posts to create a flexible ledge protection system
- Pros: Works well.
- Cons: Suitable for low-pressure perching sites only – will not work against nesting sites.
- Consumer Score: Great reviews scoring an average of 4.1 out of 5.
Along with the wire you’ll also need crimps and the posts.
Birdgo 100 x Nickel Plated Copper Crimps
Birdgo 10 x 90mm Pigeon Post
Ensure Your Chimney Is Capped
If you have a chimney there’s a good chance you’ve had birds set up a hom there.
It’s the perfect protected and secluded spot for birds, including pigeons, to roost and nest.
If the chimney’s not in use then capping it may well be an excellent way to deter pigeons.
And there are hundreds of different chimney cap designs on the market so you’ll be able to find something that will fit in aesthetically with your exterior home design.
Important: Before you do go ahead and cap ensure there are no animals currently nesting inside.
See the RSBP website for more advice on what to do in this scenario.
Apply Pigeon Repellent Gel To Any Roosting Zones
A safe way to get rid of feral pigeons is to add pigeon repellant gel to any potential roosting areas.
Try and avoid using this on areas where humans are likely to touch. It’s extremely sticky and very difficult to remove. Likewise don’t apply to heavily for the birds – you just want the advised amount to stop them – if you apply too much the birds can get stuck and hurt themselves trying to get free.
Bird-X 54 Proof Pigeon Repellant gel is an excellent choice.
Bird-X 54 Proof Pigeon Repellant gel
- You apply this with a regular caulk gun.
- Pros: Affordable.
- Cons: Apply in small amounts – dots or small lines – Warning: Do not apply liberally, it can seriously harm smaller birds or even kill them.
- Consumer Score: Very good reviews. 74% score this 5 stars or greater.
Block Off All Entrances
Before reaching for any anti bird products or installing anything – have a close look around your home and work out which are the places pigeons would most love.
Thinking like a pigeon that love cornered off areas where they can get protection from the elements (sun, rain, wind & cold) and from predators.
For smaller areas you can use silicone caulk to fill those in and hardware cloth for bigger areas.
You can use pigeon nets in any rafters or within attics.
It’s worth trimming any tree branches that get close to your house – this will reduce the chances of a pigeon roosting if you remove any perching access on nearby trees.
Clear Nesting Materials And Pigeon Droppings
Before using any anti pigeon device or method, you should ensure you remove all previous pigeon nests and clean away all pigeon droppings.
The latter is particularly nasty – the acidic content makes it corrosive.
This will corrode and slowly destroy any housing materials.
It can also be a source of certain zoonotic diseases that unfortunately can be transferred across species to humans.
Trap And Release
This one may not be right for everyone and your particular situation.
But you could consider trapping nuisance birds and then releasing them some way away.
You’ll need to place the trap away from any existing/previous deterrents, somewhere they frequent.
Put plenty of food in there and let them come and go for for at least seven days. This will be build up their confidence that’s safe.
You should buy something specific for this purpose and adding a drinker and removable cover for shade.
Drive at least 5 miles away before releasing them.
Cheap Pigeon Deterrents & Today’s Bestsellers
Final Thoughts
I hope this list of the best pigeon deterrents and top tips on how to get rid of pigeons was helpful.
If you think I left any out that should be included or have a suggestion for a future article, let me know in the comments below.
Dominic
Sources: RSPB – Royal Society for the Protection of Birds – Pigeons
Last Updated: May 2022
- Added Top Picks.
- Added Image.
- Added Pros/Cons on all products.
- Added Alternative Retailer.
- Added Final Thought.
- Moved OOS.
Garden Accessories Guides
Hi-Powered Laser Pigeon / Bird Scarer – Portek Laser Strike (unavailable)
No products found.
Bird Scare Tape from ReTink (150 ft) (unavailable)
No products found.
- 150 ft of tape
- You Can Hang It On Your Deck, Garden, Lawn, Farm, Etc.
- This one gets No products found., scoring an average of 4.6 out of 5.
