What are pigeons?
Pigeons are domesticated birds and have been for centuries. However, some of these birds have escaped captivity and established populations of wild pigeons throughout the United States. The pigeon is one of the most common pest birds that home and business owners have to contend with. They are unwanted and pose a variety of problems, including damaging our property and spreading diseases.
Pigeons are common in urban and rural areas, and easy for most people to identify. Some of their most identifying features include:
- A light gray body
- A darker gray head, shoulders, and breast
- Two dark bars going across their wings and tail
- A grayish-link colored beak
- Between 11 and 15 inches in length
Are pigeons dangerous?
Pigeons are a nuisance for property owners, difficult to prevent, and even more challenging to get rid of. In addition to being annoying, they are also dangerous. Pigeons carry and transmit diseases through their feces that can make people ill. Salmonella and toxoplasmosis are both spread by pigeons. They also have a fungus that grows in their feces, which causes histoplasmosis.
Pigeons act as hosts for parasitic fleas, mites, and ticks that they will introduce onto your property. These parasites carry and spread there own set of pathogens that can make people ill.
Pigeons are also damaging pests. Their nesting material and feces damage roof eaves, electrical equipment, and ventilation systems. Their nests will block gutters and cause water to seep into the walls of a home and business facility. Pigeon droppings create slip and fall hazards on the ground below their nesting and roosting sites.
Why do I have a pigeon problem?
Pigeons live in large populations near the structures that we have built. Like many other pests, they have come to rely on us for some of the basic needs. They won’t hesitate to take advantage of any food or shelter we can provide. Pigeons will nest and roost on or in our homes, barns, garages, warehouses, and anywhere else that provides them with an open flat surface.
Pigeons prefer to feed on seeds, but will feed on almost anything they come across. They are scavengers and forage for food in bird feeders, gardens, crop fields, compost bins, trash cans, and outdoor eating areas.
Where will I find pigeons?
Pigeons live successfully in both rural and urban areas. They are monogamous (have one mate at a time), so pigeons live in groups of equal numbers of males and females. Pigeons are active year-round causing problems for people all year.
Pigeons make themselves at home in a variety of places including:
- Parks and fields
- Barns, feed mills, and storage buildings
- Rock crevices and caves
- The roofs of buildings, church steeples, and rafters
- Under bridges
How do I get rid of pigeons?
If you are ready to get rid of pigeons from your property, reach out to the local pest control experts at Patriot Pest Management. Our customized services performed by our knowledgeable and friendly experts eliminate pests and stop them from coming back.
At Patriot Pest Management, we won’t hesitate to go the extra mile to ensure that our customers are happy and their properties are free of pests. For exceptional home pest control or commercial pest control services in the Greater Bay Area and surrounding counties of California, contact Patriot Pest Management today!
How can I prevent pigeons in the future?
Below are some easy to follow tips that will help you to keep pigeons from taking over your home and yard:
- Get rid of water sources-clear out clogged gutters, remove bird baths from your property, and fix low lying areas that allow rainwater to puddle.
- Remove bird feeders from your property.
- Keep locking lids on trash cans and compost bins.
- Use a motion-activated sprinkler system to stop pigeons from getting comfortable on your property.
Request Your Inspection
Complete the form below to schedule your no obligation inspection.