| Pigeon Proofing your Home | | | | comes in 3/4", 1-1/8" and 2" mesh sizes to deter |
| | | | pest pigeons. Bird Proof Netting should be |
| Americans have had a love-hate relationship with | | | | positioned over window recesses, balconies, |
| pigeons. While our fine-feathered friends carried | | | | eaves, and even whole rooftops to prevent |
| thousands of messages that saved many | | | | pigeons from reaching nesting areas. |
| hundreds of lives during World Wars I and II, they | | | | To discourage pigeons from simply landing, some |
| have also been a real foe for homeowners. The | | | | homeowners have opted for Bird Slope as an |
| high concentration of uric acid found in pest pigeon | | | | effective means of pigeon pest control. These |
| droppings can discolor paint, stain wood, erode | | | | angled slippery slopes are easy to install and ideal |
| metal, and even crumble concrete and expensive | | | | for ledges, eaves, beams and other 90-degree |
| stonework. Then there's the health risk of | | | | areas where pigeons tend to nest and roost. |
| bacteria, fungi and parasites that live and grow in | | | | Pigeons simply can't get a grip and slide off the |
| pigeon droppings, which can carry and transmit | | | | ledge. The Bird Slope presents an attractive |
| any of 60 known diseases. The fleas, mites and | | | | bird-proofing alternative. The panels come in a |
| ticks in wild pigeons can also carry disease. All told, | | | | two colors, gray or stone-or can be easily painted |
| pest pigeon infestations cost homeowners millions | | | | to match any home's décor. For wide ledges, |
| of dollars annually. | | | | the flat base simply glues to any clean surface. |
| While some homeowners have resorted to | | | | For narrow ledges, the slope can be trimmed |
| shotguns, poisons and lethal traps to pigeon proof | | | | down. Be sure to use UV stabilized Bird Slope |
| their homes, there are many more humane ways | | | | panels, like those offered by Bird-B-Gone. |
| of discouraging these pest birds from making | | | | There are also a number of economical pigeon |
| your house their home. | | | | proof deterrents that have appealed to |
| One of the most popular pigeon proof deterrents | | | | homeowners. These "bird scare" products include |
| is the bird spike. Particularly useful for awnings and | | | | iridescent reflective foil or flash tape, which create |
| patio covers, the bird spikes discourage birds | | | | an "Optical Distraction Zone" for pest pigeons. |
| from landing. Some spikes are made of rigid | | | | Another low-cost visual bird scare device is the |
| U.V.-resistant unbreakable polycarbonate. Others | | | | inflatable balloon imprinted with lifelike reflective |
| have stainless steel spikes. They come in a | | | | predator eyes and markings. These bird repellers |
| variety of sizes, are easy to install and won't | | | | or scare-eye diverters are easy to hang in |
| harm birds. They are ideal for discouraging pest | | | | problem areas. Some bird repellers have iridescent |
| pigeons from landing on ledges, parapets, beams, | | | | foil eyes to scare away pigeons by day and |
| pipes, chimneys, cutouts, and light fixtures. Be | | | | glow-in-the-dark backsides to keep them away at |
| sure to install a sufficient amount of pigeon proof | | | | night. They keep pigeons from landing on trees, |
| spikes to cover an entire ledge (otherwise pigeons | | | | overhangs, gazebos, patios, eaves, pool areas, |
| will get in behind it). Also, be sure to close off | | | | and other areas. |
| corners and all open sides of a ledge. | | | | Still another low-cost pigeon deterrent is bird gel, |
| Another effective pigeon repellant system is | | | | which creates a sticky surface that pest birds |
| pigeon proof netting, ideal for courtyards, patio | | | | hate. Bird Gel is ideal for ledges, parapet walls, |
| covers, and rooftops. Properly installed, pigeon | | | | pipes, and flat or curved surfaces. A fast and |
| netting presents an impenetrable barrier against | | | | easy way to control pigeon infestation, this |
| these pest birds. Bird-B-Gone's heavy-duty bird | | | | non-toxic, sticky substance leaves a surface that's |
| net 2000 is most often prescribed by architects. | | | | tacky and uncomfortable to pigeons. The gel skins |
| Its ISO 1806 mesh polyethylene fabric is U.V. | | | | but never sets hard, yielding an unstable surface |
| stabilized, flame resistant and rot and waterproof. | | | | for the pigeons to land on. |
| The sub-zero stable, non-conductive webbing | | | | |