Pigeon Control (Tucson: house, live in, moving)

[Chorizo]

I need your guys tips/tricks for getting rid of pigeons!

They are eating my girlfriend's plants, and pooping all over my walkway out of the front door.

I live in a town home and getting the management company to do anything is like trying to convince the Tucson City Council to do the right thing - nothing happens!

So I can't modify the building in anyway (spikes to prevent landing are out of the question, and costly).

I have no issue with shooting the damn things with a BB gun, but to appease the lady I need to try not to hurt them first.

Do those fake owls work? Pepper spray on the plants and landing areas? A good shot in the face with a hose? What do I do?

[michael krotchie]

YouTube - Pigeon Attack

[observer53]

I have never seen a pigeon eat plants, what kind of plants are we talking about?

The owls don't work for long. I never had a problem with pigeons except their wanting to roost at the top of the two big stucco columns in my entryway, and that was a small enough area to use the spikes with great success.

[Bummer]

Originally Posted by Chorizo

I need your guys tips/tricks for getting rid of pigeons!

I had a similar problem, Chorizo . . . Doves were moaning and groaning all the time, especially in the morning, plus pooping everywhere. I tried just about everything short of shooting or poisoning.

Finally a friend recommended hanging a few CDs (small hole drilled about a quarter inch in from the edge) from the overhead beams with fishing line.

Granted it sounds kinda GOOFY and looks even GOOFIER but it works. However, for some strange reason the Doves did not like the spinning and flashing CDs.

Definitely worth a try.

[Chorizo]

Originally Posted by observer53

I have never seen a pigeon eat plants, what kind of plants are we talking about?

The owls don't work for long. I never had a problem with pigeons except their wanting to roost at the top of the two big stucco columns in my entryway, and that was a small enough area to use the spikes with great success.

My biggest problem is I can not drill into the stucco or otherwise permanently attach anything.

I did not know they would eat the plants either, but they are the only thing I can think of.

I have no idea what one of the plants is, but one of the ones having an issue is honey suckle. I am fairly certain it is the birds doing it as the leaves are being stripped off at the exact hight they would be at when sitting on the window ledge right behind the plants. Maybe not eating the leaves but using them for nest building or something. There are some leaf pieces on the ground underneath the plants but all of it together does not look like it is enough to make up for all the missing leaves stripped off the upper branches of the two plants.

I think I noticed a nest this morning on my way out of the house so tonight when I get home, I will be promptly removing it.

[Chorizo]

Originally Posted by Bummer

I had a similar problem, Chorizo . . . Doves were moaning and groaning all the time, especially in the morning, plus pooping everywhere. I tried just about everything short of shooting or poisoning.

Finally a friend recommended hanging a few CDs (small hole drilled about a quarter inch in from the edge) from the overhead beams with fishing line.

Granted it sounds kinda GOOFY and looks even GOOFIER but it works. However, for some strange reason the Doves did not like the spinning and flashing CDs.

Definitely worth a try.

I thought about this, I suppose I could get away with using a small nail to string these things up. Is just sort of dark under my porch except for about 2 hours in the evening when the sun is setting and coming in just right, not sure if the reflection will be enough.. and it looks horrible.. lol


My porch overhang is stucco pillars and wood beams. Some of the beams have small strips of the spikes already, but there is a little niche between the side of a wall, and the beam where they have made a nest I think. I may cut up a piece of sheet metal and JB Weld some long nails to it sticking up, and put it right there.

[Bummer]

Originally Posted by Chorizo

I thought about this, I suppose I could get away with using a small nail to string these things up. Is just sort of dark under my porch except for about 2 hours in the evening when the sun is setting and coming in just right, not sure if the reflection will be enough.. and it looks horrible.. lol


My porch overhang is stucco pillars and wood beams. Some of the beams have small strips of the spikes already, but there is a little niche between the side of a wall, and the beam where they have made a nest I think. I may cut up a piece of sheet metal and JB Weld some long nails to it sticking up, and put it right there.

Give it a shot, Chorizo . . .

Which is worse, the ugly spinning CDs (they kinda grow on you) or piles of poop all over the deck? As for direct sun . . . I have 4 CDs hanging (vary from about 12" to 18") under an overhang (only about 4 feet) with no direct sun and still no POOPING DOVES.

[Chorizo]

Very true. I had to spray the porch last night to get all the poo off of it. I go outside this morning, I had to do it again!

[Bummer]

Originally Posted by Chorizo

Very true. I had to spray the porch last night to get all the poo off of it. I go outside this morning, I had to do it again!

I feel your pain as I lived it for months, possibly even longer, until I discovered the UGLY SPINNING CDs.

! ! ! !

[Chorizo]

Originally Posted by Bummer

I feel your pain as I lived it for months, possibly even longer, until I discovered the UGLY SPINNING CDs.

! ! ! !

I'd like to give the zombie rifle a go, but I think TPD would be knocking at my door soon after.

It also sounds like an anti-aircraft gun. Unbelievably loud for such a tiny little projectile.


Guess I'll have to go pick up some fishing line...