Pest Control
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Feral pigeons are descended from domesticated rock doves, and they live almost entirely around people. A house with a sheltered ledge, a gap under the roof or a space beneath solar panels, close to a reliable food source, can hold a pair or a small flock for years. Once they have settled, the mess builds up quickly.
Why pigeons choose a house
In the wild, rock doves nest on cliff ledges and in caves. Buildings give feral pigeons the same thing: flat ledges, sheltered gaps and dry corners out of the wind. The places we see most often on houses are the space under roof-mounted solar panels, chimney stacks and the ledges around them, gaps at the eaves and under loose tiles, and window ledges and dormers.
Food is what brings them to an area in the first place. Bird tables, spilled seed, scraps put out for other birds, open bins and pet food left outside will all draw pigeons in, and a nearby sheltered spot gives them a reason to stay.
Feral pigeons can breed in any month of the year, so a problem that starts small rarely stays small.
Signs you have a pigeon problem
- Birds on the roof every day, often sitting in the same places, morning and evening.
- Droppings building up on ledges, sills, patios, cars or the ground below a favourite perch.
- Cooing and scratching from under solar panels, in a chimney or at the eaves.
- Twigs, feathers and nesting material in gutters, on the roof or falling from the stack.
- Overflowing gutters or damp patches, where feathers and nesting material have blocked the drainage.
What problems do pigeons cause?
- Fouling and damage. Droppings stain brickwork, stone, render and paintwork, and a heavy build-up is hard and unpleasant to clean. Left for long periods, they can mark and wear surfaces.
- Blocked gutters and downpipes. Feathers, droppings and nest debris collect in the drainage, and water that cannot get away ends up in the walls.
- Blocked flues. Nesting material in a chimney can stop smoke and fumes escaping. Do not use a fire or stove on a flue you think may be blocked.
- Health. Pigeon droppings can carry bacteria and fungi, and dried droppings can become dust that is easy to breathe in. Illness from pigeons is uncommon, but a build-up should be cleared with gloves and a mask, and dampened down first rather than swept dry.
- Secondary pests. Pigeon nests can hold mites, fleas and beetles, which can wander into the house when the birds leave. Our guide to bird mites covers what to look for.
What you can do yourself
- Take away the food. Use feeders designed for small birds rather than bird tables or ground feeding, clear up spilled seed, and keep bins closed.
- Block small gaps early. A gap of around 25mm at the eaves or under a tile is enough for a pigeon to start using. Mesh over open vents and gaps, keeping the ventilation working.
- Keep the gutters clear, so you notice early if birds are using the roof.
- Be realistic about scarers. Model hawks and owls, hanging CDs, reflective strips and bags of spices may move a bird or two for a short while. Pigeons learn quickly that they are harmless, and they rarely make a lasting difference.
What the law says
Feral pigeons are wild birds, and like other wild birds they are covered by the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. Before any proofing goes in, the area has to be checked for active nests, and because pigeons breed all year round, that check matters in any season. Proofing works with the law: it keeps birds off a building without harming them.
How proofing works
The lasting answer is to make the places pigeons use unavailable to them. Which method depends on the spot:
- Mesh to close the gap under solar panels, at the eaves and over open voids.
- Netting to close off larger areas such as recesses, balconies and lightwells.
- Spikes or sprung wire on ledges, sills and parapets, so birds cannot land and settle.
Any fouling and old nest material is cleared and the area disinfected before the proofing goes up. Our guide to anti-roosting measures explains the options in more detail.
When to call us
Call us if pigeons are nesting on or under your roof, if the fouling is building up faster than you can clear it, or if the problem area is at height. We survey where the birds are landing and nesting, clear and clean the area, and fit the proofing that keeps them off. Our bird control page explains how a job runs, or call 01926 632 929.
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