How to Get Rid of Pigeons in Parking Lots & Garages

Feral pigeons are a persistent problem in parking lots and parking garages across the GTA - much to the chagrin of patrons and car owners.

Both open car lots and covered parking garages provide amenities that attract large flocks of feral pigeons. These include:

• Elevated roosting surfaces
• Sheltered areas
• Food from vehicle occupants and nearby businesses
• Water sources
• Warm, protected spaces during colder weather
  
  

The challenges with pigeon control in a parking lot or parking garage are different from controlling pigeons around a storefront or building. The right solution depends on whether the facility is an open parking lot, covered garage, multi-level garage, or underground structure.

Concerns About Pigeons in Parking Structures

Pigeon droppings (guano) are highly corrosive and can be detrimental to many surfaces, including vehicle paint finishes.

• Paint and finish damage
• Frequent vehicle cleaning
• Health concerns around pigeon droppings
  
  

Hidden Cost of Pigeon Nesting in Parking Facilities

In addition to complaints or a loss of reputation, owners or managers of parking facilities also face maintenance and liability issues, such as:

• Slippery parking surfaces
• Droppings around pedestrian routes, ramps, and entrances can create maintenance concerns.
• Corrosion damage to parking structures
• Blocked drains
• Accumulation of nesting materials
• Increased cleaning and maintenance costs
• Unsanitary conditions around pedestrian areas
• Poor appearance of commercial parking facilities
  
  

Effective Pigeon Removal for Parking Lots and Garages

All bird control requires multiple methods and multiple applications to have long-lasting effect. No one method alone will eliminate the existing pigeon population AND prevent reinfestation. Professional pigeon removal experts suggest the following to get rid of pigeons:

Falconry for Pigeon Control in Large Parking Lots

Trained birds of prey create a natural predator presence and disperse pigeons from large parking areas quickly. The raptors cover a large space and are particularly useful where pigeons move between parking lots, shopping centres and nearby buildings. Falconry is an important part of a long-term bird control program for:

• Large shopping-centre parking lots
• Stadium parking
• Airport parking areas
• Hospital parking campuses
• Industrial/commercial parking compounds
• Large multi-building properties
  
  

While falconry is extremely effective, it doesn't physically prevent pigeons from entering a garage or nesting inside a specific structure, so it needs to be combined with exclusion or other pigeon control solutions for parking structures.

Habitat Modification for Parking Lots and Garages

Making the parking structure less attractive to pigeons involves reducing or eliminating reasons for pigeons to be there or to return.

Improve Garbage Management

• Covered bins
• More frequent collection
• Clean food waste around parking spaces
  
  

Eliminate Standing Water

• Repair drainage issues
• Address leaks
• Improve water runoff
  
  

Reduce Access to Food from:

• Restaurants
• Shopping centres
• Food courts
• Outdoor eventsManage Attractive Roosting Areas

To prevent pigeons from roosting in parking lots, modify or block access to sheltered spaces where practical. Habitat modification reduces attractants and may help with new pigeons but it will be inefficient when a large established pigeon population is already using the facility.

Pigeon Trapping and Removal for Parking Facilities

Professional pigeon trapping is an excellent way to reduce the number of birds that are present, such as:

• Established pigeon populations
• Persistent roosting colonies
• Areas where birds repeatedly congregate
• Parking garages with concentrated pigeon activity
  
  

When considering trapping, it's important to implement:

• Population assessment
• Using professional, proven, and effective pigeon traps
• Strategic trap placement
• Monitoring
• Removal of the underlying attraction
  
  

Trapping alone won't prevent other/new pigeons from entering the facility but definitely reduces the number of pigeons that are present. One of the most important factors influencing the success of pigeon trapping is the trap itself. Hawkeye Bird & Animal Control uses custom designed, proprietary traps that workk exceedingly well - much better than most.

Bird Netting for Parking Garages

Bird netting is nearly invisible and an excellent way to cut off access to:

• Garage ceilings
• Open structural bays
• Stairwell openings
• Elevator structures
• Interior courtyards
• Roof-level parking structures
• Covered parking areas
  
  

Bird netting physically prevents pigeons from accessing protected areas. It is not practical across an open parking lot and must be professionally installed to prevent gaps and maintain vehicle and pedestrian access.

Bird Spikes for Parking Garage Ledges and Structures

Bird spikes are a product in the ledge protection systems line and can be very effective for preventing pigeons from landing and roosting. They are desinged to cut off access to:

• Concrete ledges
• Beams
• Signs
• Building projections
• Light fixtures
• Narrow architectural surfaces
  
  

Exclusion for Parking Garage Openings

Keeping pigeons out of enclosed areas can be challenging and exclusion methods usually consist of physical barriers, like:

• Screening ventilation openings
• Protecting stairwell openings
• Closing unused structural gaps
• Securing roof access points
• Protecting enclosed parking levels
• Installing barriers around suitable entry points
  
  

Exclusion has to be carefully designed around vehicle movement, ventilation, fire-safety requirements, and pedestrian access.

Bird Control Around Parking Garage Entrances and Ramps

Parking structures are a draw for pest birds like pigeons because they provide:

• Shelter from the elements
• Artificial lighting
• Warm air escaping from buildings
• Food dropped by drivers and pedestrians
  
  

Integrated Pigeon Control Around Parking Structures

• Falconry/birds of prey
• Professional trapping
• Targeted exclusion
• Spikes on suitable ledges
• Netting
• Habitat modification
  
  

Protecting Parking Lot Light Poles and Signage From Pigeons

Light poles can act as elevated roosts, as do parking signs, ticketing structures, and payment kiosks. This is where ledge protection systems can be effective. Treating these locations can reduce concentrated droppings in heavily used parking areas.

How to Get Rid of Pigeon Nests in Parking Garages

Professional nest assessment to identify active vs. abandoned nesting sites and removing the nest and any remaining nesting materials must be followed up by cleaning contaminated areas and addressing the structure that allowed nesting in the first place.

Why Parking Garages Require Ongoing Monitoring

Because completely eliminating ways for pigeons to enter is impossible, it's important to keep track of:

• New birds may discover previously protected areas
• Seasonal activity changes
• Nearby food sources that can change
• Upper levels
• Roof structures
• Stairwells
• Garage entrances
• Previously treated areas
  
  

Contact Hawkeye for Removing Pigeons from Parking Lots

Hawkeye Bird & Animal Control is Toronto's #1 bird control specialist with expert commercial falconers and bird removal technicians with ample experience and expertise with pigeons in different types of parking lots and garages. Our pigeon traps are custom designed and built by and for Hawkeye; their success far exceeds normal standards.

Call Hawkeye for professional pigeon removal for parking lots or garages and consider an integrated pest bird management plan to prevent further damage.

Our pigeon removal solutions for attics are available all across Southern Ontario, including Toronto, Scarborough, Brampton, Vaughan, Markham, Ajax, Newmarket, Etobicoke, Oshawa, and Mississauga