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!\

Relaterd Articles:
https://www.hawkeye.ca/blog/how-to-get-rid-of-pigeons-from-your-storefront

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:

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.

"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.