Pigeon Control Strategy and Health Remediation

WHAT TO LOOK FOR

The first signs of a pigeon infestation include seeing them congregate around open areas of structures, followed by a buildup of pigeon droppings in gutters, downspouts, and open rooftop areas.

• Property Damage: Each year in Calgary, pigeons cause extensive damage to a variety of structures through their corrosive droppings.

• Health Risks: When left unchecked, the destruction caused by pigeons represents serious health risks due to diseases like Histoplasmosis, Candidiasis, Cryptococcosis, St. Louis Encephalitis, Salmonellosis, and E. coli.

• Harborage Areas:

  • Residential: Pigeons perch on open rooftops, gutters, and other objects. They will even force their way through soffits to make a home on the interior roof line (attic space).

  • Commercial: They frequently nest next to HVAC units and perch on open roof ledges and structural beams.

How to Identify a Pigeon

The Rock Dove or Rock Pigeon is typically pale grey with two black bars on each wing. Domestic and feral pigeons, however, can vary widely in color and pattern.

• Reproduction: Pigeons have a high reproduction rate, making quick action essential for control.

• Lifespan: The average lifespan is three to four years in the wild.

PEST PRO EXTERMINATOR SOLUTION

Our approach to solving a pigeon infestation is similar in both residential and commercial settings, focusing on permanent physical exclusion.

1. Inspection and Estimate: The first step is a free, no-obligation estimate. Our technician will perform an inspection (usually from the ground initially) to identify key harborage areas and nuisance perching points.

2. Exclusion Strategy: Because pigeons have such a high reproductive rate, our solution focuses on using physical products to permanently stop pigeons from returning to a given area. The most common products we use include:

   • Eight-inch-wide bird spike

   • ¾ and 2-inch black netting

   • Bird spiders, shock track, and bird wire

3. Advanced Tools: Other tools include the live trapping of pigeons and deterrent tools such as the AgriLaser. When required, we install one-way doors to allow pigeons to safely exit a structure before installing physical barriers.

4. Cleanup and Remediation: The cleanup and remediation of pigeon droppings, nesting materials, and other associated debris can be labor-intensive and requires safety protocols (due to disease risk). We offer three levels of cleanup. At the time of inspection, the technician will explain and recommend the level of service that will return your property as close to a pre-pigeon state as possible.

COMMON CONCERNS ADDRESSED

The pigeons are on my neighbor’s house. What can I do about it?

Pigeon problems are often neighborhood-wide. If you notice a neighbor has an issue, you have two choices for raising awareness:

1. Direct Conversation: Depending on your comfort level, you can speak directly with your neighbor about the problem and how you are treating your house to push pigeons away.

2. Indirect Awareness: Ask your Pest Pro Exterminator service technician to drop off door hangers to affected residences. This is a subtle and helpful way of raising awareness about the issue.

Why can’t I poison the pigeons or shoot them?

• Poison: In Canada, every chemical has a label, and the label is the law. You cannot use a product for an off-label application. There are typically no products labeled for poisoning pigeons in this context.

• Shooting/Trapping Limitations: Shooting one pigeon will not solve a pigeon problem. Because of the high reproduction rates and the sheer number of pigeons in urban areas, shooting and/or the use of live traps will not bring the population to zero. At best, it offers short-to-mid-term reduction.

• Best Strategy: The best and most effective strategy for long-term control is to use physical exclusion products to stop pigeons from returning to any area on your structure.