Anyone living in a major city knows that pigeons can be quite the pests. The amount of excrement that they produce is almost insurmountable at a whopping two tons per year for a flock of only a hundred birds. Think about the number of pigeons we see in a city like Toronto, Ontario. That amount of pigeons and the fecal matter they produce could cause serious problems for commercial infrastructure and properties through increased maintenance, but can also be a real health risk as well.

Health Risks Associated with Pigeons

The main form of disease transmission from pigeons to humans is through their droppings. Most people think, “Okay, well then I just won’t touch the droppings…” But the problem with this is that as the excrement dries, a powder is released into the air which can then be inhaled by humans unknowingly. The pathogens contained in these excrements can cause disease or unwanted symptoms in humans. This is one of the reasons why a high population of pigeons in such a tight nit area can be such an unwelcome presence.

Conventional Pigeon Control Methods

In an attempt to solve pigeon control problems, techniques such as relocation and bird spikes have been used. Relocation involves capturing all pigeons in traps with the use of a one-way door and some bait and then releasing them elsewhere. This process unfortunately is futile as pigeons can find their way back to their original location with ease. Bird spikes are exactly what they sound like, spikes to prevent birds from landing in certain areas. These can be dangerous if installed incorrectly, and can also be flat out ineffective as pigeons are quite smart, and will just choose to move to a neighbouring area. With the repeated failure of these techniques, a company in California came up with an interesting alternative; “birth control” for birds.

"Birth Control" for Pigeons

“The Pigeon Control Company” in California calls this “A better approach to pigeon control” with their product OvoControl: “birth control” for birds. This may not be the best solution for every pigeon situation, but this company was looking to create an alternative long-term solution that did not involve euthanasia. The product is fed to the pigeons in a pellet-like form throughout their reproductive season. The pigeons will still attempt to breed as usual, but their eggs will not be able to develop. On average, one breeding pair of pigeons can produce 40 babies annually. But with this method, population increase can be decreased by 90-95%. This product is said to be safe for the consumption of birds and its only function is to stop the eggs from fertilizing; the effects of this birth control wear off after a few days. This may not be the best option for you, but it may be a suitable option for some people.

To find out more about pigeon control and methods that can be used, check out our pigeons control and removal solutions in Toronto. We offer many alternatives including euthanasia and would be happy to assist you with any of your pest bird or wildlife problems.

Hawkeye is the ONLY Toronto and Golden Horseshoe area licensed Pest Bird Control Specialist offering PERMANENT REMOVAL & GUARANTEED RESULTS. We are uniquely qualified under permits and licenses to PERMANENTLY REMOVE AND CONTROL Pest Birds such as Cormorants, Crows, Ducks, Doves, Geese, Grackels, Seagulls, Pigeons, Robins, Sparrows, Swallowsand Starlings.

Hawkeye gets rid of pest birds such as pigeons, seagulls, geese, starlings, and swallows using a variety of methods including Birds of Prey.  Additionally, we offer cleaning and disinfecting of affected areas and facilitate the future exclusion of birds.

CALL 416-HAWKEYE (416-429-5393) TO TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR PEST BIRD PROBLEM TODAY!\

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Business owners throughout Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) experience pigeon problems at their storefronts. Unsightly pigeon droppings (guano) not only affects customer experience and the reputation or image of the company, but also leads to substantial increase in maintenance cost.

This article explores why and how pigeon control must be based on an individual building's design and the birds' behaviour.

Attic spaces are one of the most attractive nesting locations for feral pigeons. However, a pigeon infestation in an attic can go undetected for some time. Many homeowners don't realize that pigeons are living above their ceiling until significant damage has occurred.

This two-part article will help you understand attic infestations, prevention, and pigeon control methods. We'll discuss some DIY methods in part one and part two will deal with professional pigeon removal solutions.

As we have discussed in part one of "How to get rid of pigeons in your attic", DIY methods may discourage occasional visitors, but they rarely solve an established pigeon infestation in an attic. In this second part, we'll focus on how and why professional pigeon removal and exclusion provide more long-term solutions.

Professional Attic Inspection: Finding Every Entry Point

Whether it's a residential home or a large commercial space, identifying the root cause of pigeons nesting and roosting in the attic is the first step in resolving the problem. Here's what professionals will do:

Pigeon nests can be a nuisance for commercial and industrial businesses, disrupting operations, clogging gutters, or hindering productivity. In order to protect your property and ensure the safety of customers and employees, it is important that you safely remove any pigeon nests from your premises as soon as possible. But before you do, there are a few things you should know.

Wildlife including birds like pigeons are drawn to airports across the globe because of ample green spaces, retention ponds, and food leftovers at hangars and terminals. And then there's the landfill connection. Landfills are often found in close proximity to airports and can be home to huge flocks of seagulls and pigeons.

Given the enormous risk to human life and equipment in a bird strike incident, proactive pigeon control at airports is of utmost importance. Hawkeye's airport pigeon control program combines several strategies based on facility type and pigeon activity.

Aside from the ugly mess pigeon poop makes on balconies, solar panels, sidewalks, cars, and buildings, the composition of the poop can cause serious health conditions in humans, domesticated animals, and other wildlife. Left on premises, and other objects, pigeon poop can damage and destroy paint, bricks, concrete, and your roof.

If you notice an excess amount of pigeon poop on your property, you may want to invest in a professional company to remove it.

What Are the Diseases Associated with Pigeon Poop?

Pigeon poop is considered one of the more hazardous substances naturally produced. While the bird itself usually does not transfer disease to humans, we are still susceptible to diseases found in pigeon poop.

In areas of the city where pigeons tend to roost, the large number of droppings can produce airborne disease we can easily inhale. Most illnesses associated with pigeon poop require little to no medical intervention, except for those with immunocompromised systems. Pneumonia and meningitis have been connected to pigeon poop exposure.

Direct and indirect exposure to the droppings can also cause several diseases. While it is rare for humans to fall fatally ill from these diseases, they can produce serious health effects.

Below are some common diseases linked to pigeon poop:

• Salmonellosis: Salmonellosis develops from salmonella bacteria, like what is found in food poisoning cases. Symptoms of severe cramping, fever, and diarrhoea usually appear within 24 to 48 hours of inhaling pigeon poop and can last up to seven days for mild cases.
  
  

• Psittacosis:Psittacosis is sometimes referred to as parrot fever. The bacteria responsible causes flu-like symptoms over a two-week period of development.
  
  

• Histoplasmosis: Histoplasmosis is linked to a fungus found in pigeon droppings. Inhalation can trigger symptoms of fever, coughing, chest pain, sweats, nausea, and weakness in those diagnosed with respiratory conditions.
  
  

• Cryptococcosis: Cryptococcosis is another fungus related disease seen with inhalation exposure to pigeon poop. This disease can travel from the lungs to the brain, leading to meningitis.

Pest Bird Pigeon: Proofing your home, condo or building

Here are some suggestions to help proof your home, structure, or business form problem pest pigeons:

Home/Residence/Single family dwelling

Pigeon Food: Remove all food sources, including all bird feeders. Cover grass seed when reseeding your lawn with string, or consider mixing in blood/bone meal or pelletized chicken manure fertilizer to deter them. Do not add these if you have a pet dog with access to the seeded area.  If you would like to continue to feed other birds, look for feeders covered in a cage/wire with access holes too small for pigeons to fit through. Make sure you are collecting any fallen seeds from the ground with a fitted tray that will prevent any seeds from falling to the ground for pigeons to eat.

Gutters, Downspouts: Clean out any clogged eaves, gutters or downspouts. Not only will this will protect your home from water damage, it will eliminate areas for pigeons to roost or nest.

Vents and Chimneys: Find all access holes and close them off. If you cannot safely access these areas to check, or cover, please call us to help.

Flat Roof Areas: Identify any flat, or nearly flat areas that pigeons are roosting or nesting on. These areas can be fitted with special bird deterrents to keep pigeons off of them. Visit our bird ledge protection section or call us for more information on what will work for you.

Pigeon Pest Bird proofing: High rise condo

Eliminate Pigeon Food Sources: Remove as many food sources that you can identify as possible. This includes bird feeders, areas being seeded with grass seed and open garbages. Discourage any direct pigeon feeding with bread or other food by residents or neighbours.

Water: Try and remove all water sources where possible. Pay attentions to any areas of standing water. This will help with your pigeon problems and also help protect against West Nile Virus.

Air conditioning: HVAC systems on the roof are at risk for damage by pigeons either roosting or nesting on top. Close up the underside, open filters and any other areas where pigeons can roost or seek shelter on/in.

Balconies: Remove all debris and junk that encourages pigeons nesting. Consider properly installed balcony bird netting to prevent pigeons from landing on balconies.

Industrial, Corporate, Government:

Industries, commercial and government agencies often have serious problems with pigeons. Factories and other large buildings can produce a lot of heat that attracts pigeons, and raised, flat roof areas provide the perfect areas for roosting and nesting, safe from most predators. Municipal infrastructure such as bridges, public statues, park structures etc. can all become pigeon habitat, with the accumulation of feces causing serious health, safety and aesthetic concerns for property managers and the public.

The solutions for industrial, corporate and government property are not always straight forward and require a professional to assess and prescribe a complex solution for a complex problem. Hawkeye is the expert in Toronto for pest bird control, with decades of experience with pigeon control and removal from every types of property.

Please contact us for more information.

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"Feeding pigeons" may invoke visions of Julie Andrews and 'Tuppence a bag' but in the City of Toronto that may well become a thing of the past. In July 2021 a motion was passed to consider a ban of feeding pigeons in the City of Toronto. The reasons given included piegons gathering in large flocks interfering with the enjoyment of public as well as private spaces, significant property damage, attraction of rats and health risks to humans. 

Toronto Councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam brought forth the motion which is set to explore the feasibility of implementing such a ban with a report back expected next March. 

To put things into perspective, the City of Toronto spends a small fortune each year on pigeon control and associated clean-up. Property Management Compnaies spend millions more. Pigeon droppings are more than just unsightly; they do pose health risks and due to their acidic nature they do cause a fair bit of damage to structures such as buildings (especially, historic ones), monuments, and perhaps most importantly bridges and overpasses. Steel structures in particular fall vicitm to corosion from bird droppings.

Pigeons might seem harmless, but they can be a real nuisance if they decide to make your property their home.

The reasons for their return are often rooted in their natural behavior and the environment we provide for them. Understanding pigeon behavior is crucial for effective control and prevention. By knowing what attracts them and how they live, you can implement strategies to deter them from returning.

So if you’re wondering "Why do pigeons keep coming back to my house?" you're not alone, but there are solutions!

Understanding Pigeon Behavior

To effectively deal with pigeon problems, and answer “How do I keep pigeons away from my house?” it's essential to understand their natural habits and instincts.

Pigeons are highly adaptable birds that thrive in urban environments. They are attracted to areas that provide easy access to food and shelter, which is why they are often found in cities and towns.