Numerous means of deterring pigeons are available in stores. The wide range of choices obscures the fact that the patent solution to pigeons has yet to be invented. After all, well thought-out methods promise short, medium and long-term success. Don't ask yourself any longer: Which method works against pigeons on balconies, windowsills and roofs? This guide explains effective remedies with advantages and disadvantages.
- Effective pigeon deterrents for balconies, windowsills and roofs are spikes, spirals, nets and tension wire.
- Ultrasound, pigeon deterrents, acoustic and natural pigeon defenses only have a temporary effect.
- Inexpensive sources for purchasing pigeon repellent include hardware stores, Amazon and specialist retailers.
Pigeon defense on the balcony and roof - methods at a glance
Pigeons are not welcome on the balcony
A wide range of pigeon deterrent methods makes the search for a tailor-made, effective means a time-consuming undertaking. The following table aims to prevent unnecessary loss of time with a clear presentation of common methods. How to get rid of pigeons from your balcony, windowsill and roof without poison:
| Pigeon repellent method | How it works | Areas of application | Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spikes | Stainless steel/plastic skewers | Balcony, windowsill, roof | long-term effective, inexpensive | unaesthetic, risk of injury |
| Spiral | Stainless steel coils | Balcony, windowsill, roof ridge | effective, gentle, without risk of injury | unsightly |
| Ultrasound | High frequency sound waves | Balcony, windowsill | Immediate effect | habituation effect |
| Net/rope system | Assembly of net, wire, rope | Balcony, roof | lasting, effective | complicated, expensive |
| Pigeon Fright | Dummy Raven, Crow & Co. | Balcony, windowsill, roof | Flight Reflex | habituation effect |
| acoustic | Screaming and banging devices | Balcony, windowsill | immediate effect | Harassment of neighbors |
| natural | moving objects, smell | Balcony, windowsill, roof | gentle expulsion | effective for a short time |
Have some methods piqued your interest? Then read on, as each procedure is explained in more detail in a separate section.
Excursus
Pigeon droppings turn pigeons into pests
Pigeons owe their bad reputation to their droppings, which accumulate in considerable quantities at the resting place. When freshly deposited, pigeon droppings still have a harmless pH value of around 6.5. Within a few hours, the pH value drops to a corrosively acidic 4.5 to 4.0, which can cause massive damage to historical buildings and structures made of natural stone. Pigeons are also considered to be carriers of disease. People with weakened immune systems who inhale infected, dried pigeon droppings are primarily affected. As a result, the strict German animal protection law is forced to define pigeons as pests, provided that the requirements laid down in the law are met.
Pigeon repellent spikes
Pigeon spikes are controversial among animal rights activists
Pigeon repellent spikes are intended to prevent birds from settling on the roof or balcony. Where there is no opportunity to perch, there is no risk of contamination from pigeon droppings. Spikes are pointed skewers made of stainless steel or plastic. A spike consists of 1.3 to 2 mm thick spring wire. In rows of 4 or 6, the skewers are either spot-welded to a narrow stainless steel plate or glued to a plastic plate. This design allows months without drilling using cable ties, wire or a special adhesive. Pigeon deterrent spikes are suitable for these locations:
- Balcony
- Canopy
- Window sill and shutter
- Roller shutter box
- dormer
- Bar
- Pipes
- Roof and ridge tiles
With a length of up to 12 centimeters and beyond, spikes cannot be overlooked as a blockage for pigeons. Although it is an effective method, it gives the house and balcony the charm of a correctional facility. To make matters worse, pigeons often dare to approach and suffer serious injuries.
Spiral against pigeons
With a pigeon deterrent spiral you make it very clear to birds approaching that they are not wanted. Unlike spikes, rejection is not associated with injury or death. The animal-friendly effect is based on a continuous spiral made of stainless steel, which is flexibly attached to a strip. When stressed by a pigeon or other bird, individual coils initially bend to the side and then straighten up again.
Potential locations for spirals coincide with pigeon deterrent spikes, such as roof, balcony or gutter. Spirals are highly recommended if you want to install an effective pigeon deterrent within reach of children. The method has proven itself just as well in family households, kindergartens or schools as in retirement homes or social institutions.
Pigeon repellent ultrasound
City pigeons in particular cannot be kept away from ultrasound in the long term
A few years ago, the news clattered into the pigeon repellent portfolio like a stone falling through the window: Ultrasound drives pigeons away from the balcony, never to be seen again. As has already been observed with martens, moles and mice, birds also run away from the intense sound waves. These are inaudible to humans, but cause an unbearable noise in the ears of animals.
The flip side of the coin is that furry and feathered ultrasound victims get used to the noise within a short period of time. Due to the acute housing shortage, city pigeons in particular are forced to occupy the noisy perch on the balcony, roof or windowsill. Pigeon chicks hatched under sonication are immune to ultrasound waves from the day they are born. After all, a short-term effect can be achieved with ultrasound as a pigeon deterrent. Unfortunately, years of experience prove that it is ultimately a fruitless and costly bad investment.
Pigeon defense with net and rope system
Bird protection net, tension wire and rope system are well known to hobby gardeners to protect fresh seeds and young seedlings in the bed from pecking beaks. The use of nets to deter pigeons on the balcony is largely unknown. The following overview briefly and concisely summarizes how it works and how it is installed:
- System: Net made of polyethylene, knotted, mesh sizes 10×10 to 50×50 mm, edge cord with eyelets
- Fastening: vertical or horizontal with screwed ring clamps or glued plastic net holders
- Areas of application: Balcony, roof, facade, windows and windowsill, atrium, canopy
A pigeon deterrent net is oversized to protect roof beams, pipes or ridge tiles. A system of tension wires or ropes could be considered, which would make the location too uncomfortable for pigeons to perch on. The wires or ropes are stretched onto special brackets for the roof ridge. The brackets can either be screwed or glued on. The system is well suited as a pigeon deterrent for the window sill thanks to special pins on a plate to stretch wire or ropes.
Pigeon deterrent – effective pigeon deterrent or not?
Pigeon deterrents are products that visually frighten a pigeon. Since pigeons are among the cowards in the bird kingdom, they run away when they see a pigeon fright. The basic idea of the expulsion concept is to use dummies to suggest the presence of predators or other dangers. We have put together tried and tested and popular variations below:
- Dummy raven, owl, great spotted woodpecker or falcon
- Rotating mirrors or CDs
- Bird deterrent balloons in yellow, white and black with fluttering ribbons
- Reflective wind spirals or wind turbines
- Dove deterrent strips made of aluminum with a diamond pattern and in bright colors
- Bird scare spray from Neudorff with the scent of Rabe & Co. for balconies and windowsills
The test shows that you can use a pigeon scarer to get rid of the winged rabble for a short time. You should use this time to install an effective method, such as pigeon deterrent spirals. The intelligent birds have good powers of observation. At a safe distance, clever pigeons quickly find out that the pigeon scare does not pose any serious danger. Ultimately, the birds sit on the dummies unimpressed and cover the pseudo-enemy with feces.
Tip
“Water gun” is the surprising answer when you ask pigeon control experts: Which method works? In fact, pigeons are jumpy creatures with weak nerves. Practical experience proves that a well-aimed shot from a water pistol works as an effective deterrent against pigeons, at least in the case of light infestations by individual pigeons.
Acoustic pigeon deterrent
Metal wind chimes only keep pigeons away temporarily
Experts refer to methods that are also perceptible to the human ear as acoustic pigeon deterrents. A combination of loud noises and movement is intended to scare away unwanted visitors in feathers. The method is particularly effective when individual pigeons find themselves on the balcony or window sill. Quick action is now required before the first protagonists in the local pigeon society announce the newly discovered location. The acoustic pigeon defense was intended to make life hell for the winged scouts so that they would advise other pigeons not to approach. Let the following procedures inspire you for a practical method on your own balcony:
- Cut 2 wooden boards together
- hit the upturned kettle with a wooden or wooden spoon
- Install motion detector with dog barking
- Set up a metal wind chime
Pigeon victims have to dig deep into their pockets for a power-operated multi-sound device. Various alarm calls are made via loudspeakers to scare away pigeons and other birds. The acoustic pigeon deterrent costs from 250 euros on Amazon. Premium products cost up to 500 euros. The frontrunner is 'Robop', a deceptively real falcon dummy with an integrated microprocessor that controls the head, wings and body and regularly emits falcon calls. This much luxury pigeon defense comes at a price of 5,712 euros.
The testimonials from verified buyers indicate that there is short-term success. Over time, pigeons, ravens, starlings and sparrows get used to the alarm calls, despite changing intervals. You can find out about test experiences with 'Robop' in the shop of TONI, the specialist for bird control.
Natural pigeon defense
Pigeons don't like strong smells
When balcony gardeners practice natural plant care, they remain true to their ecological philosophy when it comes to pigeon deterrent issues. As an answer to the question of the most effective method, only natural remedies without toxic chemicals are accepted. With this in mind, the following overview lists environmentally friendly practices to keep pigeons away from balconies, windowsills, beams and pipes:
Essential oils
Essential oils are said to be very effective in natural pigeon defense. Lavender, clove, eucalyptus, camphor, lemon and tea tree are very popular as oil preparations. The more often you change the scent, the longer the scaring effect lasts. First, clean the surface thoroughly with hot water. Fill the essential oil of your choice into an atomizer and spray the surface completely. Please choose a time for application where precipitation is expected after 2 hours at the earliest.
Dog and cat hair
Dogs and cats are among the natural enemies of pigeons. The birds react accordingly sensitively to the smell of animals. By regularly distributing dog and cat hair on the balcony and other endangered perching areas, annoying pigeons are conspicuous by their absence.
Bird Free Gel
Bird-Free Gel consists of a flat, 10 mm high glass bowl filled with yellowish gel that exudes the scent of essential oils. The finesse is based on the fact that the gel form is perceived by pigeon eyes as a blazing fire. The natural remedy irritates the visual organs and sense of smell, which triggers an immediate instinct to flee. Because the scented gel is oil-based, it is largely rainproof, meaning it can be used on the balcony. The manufacturer promises a durability of up to two years, even in bad weather conditions.
The primary goal of natural remedies is the pigeons' fine sense of smell. The birds are actually good smellers, although the nostrils on their beaks are barely visible. Foreign scents are perceived as danger and trigger the instinct to flee. The Bird-Free Gel also provides a visual deterrent effect. It is important to note that natural pigeon defenses lose their effectiveness after just a few days. As with most methods, the habituation effect prevents natural remedies from driving away the annoying pigeons forever.
Background
Poisoning pigeons – reprehensible taboo and criminal offense
A horde of pigeons can blatantly contaminate the balcony, roof ridge and window sill with mountains of feces within just a few days. Understandably, there is great disgust and anger towards the winged evildoers. Nevertheless, affected house residents do not allow themselves to be persuaded to sentence pigeons to death for the misdeed. Deterring pigeons with poison is considered an outdated and reprehensible taboo, and not just for die-hard animal lovers. Furthermore, killing pigeons is punished as a criminal offense. Only certified, professional pest controllers are allowed to liquidate pigeons in exceptional cases and subject to a special official permit.
Buy pigeon repellent – purchasing sources and prices
It's worth comparing prices online
Effective pigeon deterrent for balconies, windowsills and roofs should be affordable. Since an effective strategy is ideally based on a clever combination of different products, the cost factor always plays a role. We have looked around the supplier market for you and put together an overview of average prices for pigeon repellent in hardware stores and on Amazon. The following table does not claim to be representative, but is intended to serve as a guide:
| Pigeon repellent hardware store | Bauhaus | Obi | Hornbach | Toom | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spikes/Spiral Stainless Steel | 6, 50 EUR/50 cm | 6, 49 EUR/50 cm | not on offer | from 2.99 EUR | 6, 65 EUR/100 cm |
| Spikes plastic | 11, 95 EUR/100 cm | 11, 99 EUR/100 cm | 13, 99 EUR/100 cm | from 5.49 EUR | 6, 93 EUR/100 cm |
| Spikes/Spiral Gutter | from 3.99 EUR | from 4.99 EUR | not on offer | from 4.49 EUR | 9, 95 EUR/200 cm |
| Ultrasound device | from 39.95 EUR | from 34.99 EUR | from 19.99 EUR | from 19.99 EUR | from 15.99 EUR |
| Net/grid gutter | from 4, 65 EUR/500 cmx8 cm | not on offer | from 4, 60 EUR/500 cmx10 cm | not on offer | from 3, 16 EUR/500 cmx10 cm |
| Pigeon scare raven | 9, 99 EUR | 11, 99 EUR | 9, 99 EUR | 5, 99 EUR | 11, 95 EUR/3 pieces |
| Screaming, banging, flashing device | not on offer | not on offer | not on offer | not on offer | from 59.95 EUR |
| Deterrence spray, gel | not on offer | 12, 99 EUR/l | 12, 99 EUR/1 l | not on offer | 12, 99 EUR/1 l |
No hardware store currently has a large net to deter pigeons on the balcony. The offers are limited to protective nets for the gutter. Prospective buyers will find what they are looking for on Amazon, where a 100 square meter special net can be purchased for 52.90 euros and users have had good experiences in the test. The Ziwi shop as a specialist supplier is an excellent source of purchasing for tension wire systems, stainless steel pigeon deterrent nets, spikes and pigeon deterrents. There are currently no pigeon deterrent products to be found in the Hagebau hardware store shop.
Plea for a little more respect
Since the pigeons' situation is our fault, a little care is in order
The pigeon defense front is crumbling. The increasing awareness of the environment and nature is gradually including the badly defamed, hunted and tortured pigeons. With the RespectDove campaign, the German Animal Welfare Association would like to draw attention to the suffering of city pigeons. In fact, we humans are causally responsible for the pigeon lifestyle that is so hated in the modern age.
Pigeons were bred as important suppliers of meat and eggs. Instead of breeding once or twice a year, they should breed non-stop. Their brilliant sense of orientation and rapid flight speeds of up to 100 kilometers per hour made pigeons indispensable errand runners. When their services were no longer useful, the winged pets were quickly removed and left to fend for themselves. Feral pigeons that populate our inner cities today can't help it because they are so eager to reproduce and so loyal to their location. Man made them that way and benefited from them for centuries.
Pigeons are primarily accused of having a blessed digestion, for which we humans also share some of the blame. There is a dramatic housing shortage among city pigeons, so that balconies, roof ridges and windowsills act as alternative quarters. The food for the grain eaters is chips, breadcrumbs and kebabs, so pigeons constantly suffer from diarrhea. A little more care, instead of carelessly installing spikes and wire, could solve the problem of pigeon defense in the long term.
Frequently asked questions
Are spikes forbidden for pigeon defense?
Needle-point spikes to deter pigeons rightly bring animal lovers to the barricades. Despite the immense risk of injury to all birds, spikes have not yet been banned. If you don't want to harm pigeons and other birds with pigeon repellent spikes, you can use spirals made of stainless steel. The flexible coils drive pigeons away from balconies, windowsills and ridge tiles without causing any injuries.
How does effective pigeon deterrent work on photovoltaic systems?
Pigeons should not breed under photovoltaic systems
Private and commercial operators of photovoltaic systems have to struggle with pigeon droppings on the surface and nests under the rooftop modules. There is a special photovoltaic pigeon deterrent to ensure that uninvited guests leave as quickly as possible and do not even build nests. These are adjustable spikes that act as a mechanical obstacle to prevent pigeons and other birds from gaining access between the roof and the solar module. The spikes are attached to the side edge of each module using special weatherproof adhesive. If the spikes protrude over the edge, pigeons cannot perch on them.
We are considering an electrical system on our balcony and roof ridge to deter pigeons. How effective is the concept? What should you pay attention to?
Pigeon control with electricity is primarily practiced on large and historic buildings. It is a busbar system made of two stainless steel rails that are mounted on weatherproof and UV-resistant plastic holders. Power is supplied either via an existing power grid or using solar cells. Similar to the electric fence principle, light electric shocks drive away any pigeon that wants to sit down without injuring the animal. Installation and maintenance are associated with comparatively high costs, so the investment in a balcony or the roof of a single-family home is rarely worthwhile.
Can you just kill pigeons?
No. Killing pigeons is in principle forbidden under the Animal Protection Act. However, from a population of ten pigeons per 100 m², the birds are considered pests, which allows killing them under strict guidelines, provided it is carried out by a certified specialist. Furthermore, a special permit is required because the responsible authority wants to critically examine each individual case. Anyone who kills pigeons without special training and special permission is committing a criminal offense under Section 17 of the Animal Protection Act. There is a risk of severe fines and, in the event of a repeat offense, even imprisonment.
What costs should I expect if I hire an exterminator to keep pigeons out on the balcony?
Count on a rough hourly wage of 100 to 150 euros if you hire an exterminator. More meaningful for cost planning is an approximate guideline value of 20 to 50 euros per meter of balcony that is to be freed from pigeons. If you decide to cover large areas of the balcony and facade with nets, the average price is 80 euros per square meter.
How can you permanently get rid of pigeons from your balcony and roof?
The time to start defensive measures is just as important as the approach. Be active the first time you see pigeons on your balcony, windowsill and roof. Once the birds have established themselves, expulsion is very difficult. We therefore recommend a two-stage strategy. With the help of immediate measures such as pigeon deterrent dummies, essential smells or ultrasound, you can give yourself the time you need for longer-term remedies. Before the pigeons get used to the smell, enemy plagiarism, noise or sound waves and return, the balcony and roof should be secured with pigeon repellent spirals, nets or spikes.
Tip
Pigeon manure is useful as autumn fertilizer in the vegetable patch. In fact, pigeon droppings are rich in potassium, phosphorus and trace elements. Pigeon feathers contained in the remains decompose into nitrogen-rich horn fertilizer. If plant cells store potassium before winter, the freezing point in the cell water drops, which significantly increases frost hardiness. For hygienic reasons, natural gardeners use pigeon droppings as an intermediate layer in the compost heap and do not make manure from the feces.
