It sounds too good to be true: Pigeon Fright puts an end to pigeon droppings. In fact, you keep pesky pigeons and their feces away using optical, acoustic and electronic methods. Of course, you can't buy, set up and forget about a pigeon deterrent, because you're dealing with clever birds. This guide provides information about proven means of deterring pigeons with many tips for correct use.
Which pigeon deterrent is most effective against pigeons?
An effective pigeon deterrent consists of movable dummies of ravens, crowes, hawks or owls that trigger the pigeons' natural instinct to flee. Alternative methods include reflector wind chimes, scarecrow balloons or acoustic pigeon scarers. For lasting success, the frequency and position of the pigeon scarer should be changed regularly.
- The best pigeon deterrents for balconies and roofs are movable dummies of ravens, crowes, falcons or owls.
- You can make your own pigeon fright as a reflector wind chime, scarecrow balloon or wind turbine for the balcony box.
- Acoustic pigeon deterrent only has a short-term effect if there is no regular change in frequency and type of noise.
Pigeon deterrent for balconies and roofs – tips
A dummy raven prevents pigeons from settling
Pigeon Scarer is the modern interpretation of the classic scarecrow, which is intended to drive away ravenous ravens, crows and starlings in the countryside. In urban areas, the focus is on deterring pigeons with effective solutions for balconies and roofs. City pigeons have the unpleasant habit of soiling railings, balconies, windowsills and roofs with their feces. In order to put a stop to this behavior, the idea of the pigeon scarer was born.
Sophisticated designs are intended to trigger the natural flight instinct in pigeons. This mechanism is innate in birds. The triggers are primarily the silhouettes of predators. Certain visual and acoustic stimuli have a similar effect, which pigeons perceive as danger and take their wings in their hands. The following table gives an overview of which pigeon deterrent variations have proven successful in practice for balconies and roofs:
| Optical | Acoustic | Electronic |
|---|---|---|
| Raven/Crow | Motion detector dog barking | Ultrasound |
| Falcon/Owl | Scream Device | |
| Scare Balloon | Aluminium strips | |
| Reflector Mobile | Metal wind chime | |
| Wind turbine balcony box |
The effectiveness of pigeon fright depends largely on the birds not getting used to it. Consequently, it is not enough to statically assemble the preferred construction and forget it. Pigeons are clever opponents, have excellent powers of observation and cannot easily be fooled. To ensure that your efforts to have a pigeon-free balcony are successful in the long term, please read the following explanations for expert use.
Use the pigeon scare raven correctly
A dummy that moves is ideal
The mere sight of a raven, crow, falcon or owl makes a pigeon's blood run cold. After all, they are feared predators and fat pigeons are at the top of the menu. For this reason, bird dummies are said to be most effective at driving pigeons away from balconies and roofs. By observing the following criteria, the deterrent effect will last for a long time:
- Appearance: use lifelike dummies of sitting or flying ravens (minimum size 40 cm)
- Fastening: ideally movably attached to a nylon cord
- Change of position: move sitting pigeon scare ravens every few days
Ubiquitous ravens and crows are the number one enemy for city pigeons. Violent arguments can be observed every day in which pigeons lose out. The sight of a raven is enough to trigger a strong instinct to flee. Of course, the black dummies on the balcony and roof are no feast for the eyes. A little more color comes into play if you use a falcon or owl as a pigeon scarer. These variants do not detract from the intimidating effect on pigeons.
Tip
Bird-Free Gel simulates a blazing fire and scares pigeons quite a bit. Shallow, one centimeter high glass bowls are filled with a yellow, weatherproof gel without toxic additives. Pigeon eyes perceive the gel as a flickering fire, which activates the flight instinct. The magical bowls are available in specialist retailers, on Amazon and Ebay.
Optical pigeon scarer – tips for balloons and wind chimes
Pigeons have weak nerves. According to the observations of troubled balcony owners, uninvited guests flee when they see moving objects. As an alternative to bird dummies or a useful addition to the pigeon frightening crow, pigeon defense experts have come up with the following deterrents:
Pigeon Scare Balloons
With clever accessories, every large balloon can be transformed into an effective pigeon deterrent. Specifically, it is a yellow balloon made of durable vinyl with a diameter of 30 to 40 centimeters. Round, reflective stickers simulate large bird of prey eyes. Fluttering red bands at the bottom are intended to imitate blazing flames. In order for a pigeon scare balloon to live up to its name, the following conditions must be observed:
- Location: full sun to sunny and clearly visible
- Assembly: attach to weatherproof cord and swing freely
- Ground clearance: Hang the balloon high enough that the red ribbons flutter freely
It is important to note that there is no food source in the immediate vicinity of the pigeon scare balloon. Furthermore, there is no deterrent effect if pigeons are already breeding on the roof or on the balcony. Driving away hungry or nesting pigeons is difficult or even impossible.
Reflector Mobile
Taubenabwehr
When iridescent glass rods, flashing CDs and other reflective objects pirouette under sunlight, pigeons prefer to stay away. Specialist retailers have a wide range of colorful pigeon deterrent mobiles for the balcony. However, functionality depends largely on the sun shining. After all, swinging reflectors are useful when the weather is nice to reinforce other pigeon scaring strategies.
Acoustic pigeon scare – ideas
Despite its name, a pigeon can hear very well. The birds' excellent hearing makes them vulnerable to loud noises. Acoustic pigeon deterrent models take this approach by attacking the invisible ears of pigeons with a sudden noise. Ideally, the sudden noise suggests to the troublemakers the presence of enemies. If necessary, the winged invaders can be kept away from the balcony with a sudden bang. The following overview provides more detailed information on the acoustic expulsion methods in the table above:
- Motion detector: Device with 360° radar field triggers deceptively real dog barking when pigeons approach
- Screaming device: Multi-sound device with sensors emits calls of birds of prey
- Alu foil: Flutter tape made of aluminum strips on balcony railings, windowsills and awnings
- Wind chime: Rods made of metal or wood hit together in the wind and at the same time simulate activity on the balcony
Annoyed balcony owners always have two wooden boards at hand for an acoustic pigeon deterrent with immediate effect. If you catch a pigeon in the act, forcefully slam the boards together.
Electronic pigeon deterrent – ultrasound
Electronic pigeon deterrent is imperceptible to the human ear. For deaf ears, however, there is an unbearable roar that triggers the natural instinct to flee. The secret to success is an ultrasound device that emits specific sound waves at intervals. Not only do pigeons run away from the noise, but also martens, moles and mice.
For ultrasound to work as a pigeon deterrent in the long term, there must be no habituation effect. This is achieved with changing frequencies and locations. Otherwise, the intelligent birds will quickly figure out that ultrasound poses no serious danger. In view of the acute housing shortage, many city pigeons accept the noise pollution and still colonize the roof, balcony and windowsill.
Excursus
Pigeon repellent spirals instead of spikes
Spikes pose a high risk of injury to pigeons and other birds
High numbers of pigeons cannot be managed with pigeon fright. When hordes of pigeons settle on the roof ridge, windowsill and balcony, attention turns to tried and tested pigeon deterrent measures. The much-praised spikes, of course, have a bitter aftertaste. As 1-2 mm thick spikes in rows of 4 or 6, spikes act as a blockade for pigeons with a high risk of injury to humans and animals. In contrast, spirals made of stainless steel drive away annoying birds without causing fatal injuries. Pigeons are denied the opportunity to perch because the individual coils tilt to the side and then straighten up again.
Make your own pigeon fright
Saving hunters can make their own pigeon fright. This can be achieved with simple means in the form of a reflective wind chime. To do this, hang old CDs or blank discs on weatherproof cords (e.g. fishing line) at different heights. A light breeze is enough for the mobile's windows to move, reflecting the sunlight and acting as a pigeon deterrent.
A little more sophisticated, but with a decorative effect, colorful wind turbines in the balcony box keep cheeky pigeons away from you. Six isosceles triangles made of colorful construction paper are folded diagonally to form rotor blades and secured with a pin. A thin layer of acrylic varnish ensures weather resistance. A shish kebab skewer or flower holder serves as a holding stick. A wine cork is useful as a wind rotor between the propeller and the rod for the balcony box.
Traditional scarecrow doesn't work
Everyone knows the human-like wooden frames hung with old clothes that are supposed to keep pecking birds away from garden beds and arable land in rural regions. What could be more obvious than making a stylish scarecrow and draping it decoratively on the balcony than a pigeon scarer worth seeing? In fact, you'll achieve the opposite effect.
City pigeons have learned to appreciate people as generous sources of food. Pigeons like to get close to people in parks, at bus stops and train stations because bread crumbs and other leftover food can be found here. When they see a human-like figure on the balcony, the clever birds sense a new feeding place that needs to be investigated. Instead of running away in panic, numerous pigeons worship a scarecrow in the hope of a tasty snack.
Buy pigeon fright – shopping sources
On the Internet you can find options ranging from a few euros to over €1000
You don't have to go far for a pigeon deterrent that works. You can buy bird dummies in any well-stocked supermarket in spring. The Internet can be consulted for specific bird deterrent models. Alternatively, look for pigeon frights in Obi or another hardware store. The following overview lists recommended purchasing sources for the pigeon deterrent of your choice:
- Rabe & Co.: Obi, Bauhaus, Toom, Hornbach, Amazon, Ebay, garden center, supermarket
- Optical pigeon deterrent: Amazon, Ebay, hardware store, garden center, online specialist retailer (e.g. vogelscheuche.de)
- Acoustic pigeon deterrent devices: Amazon, Ebay, Obi, TONI bird repellent
- Electronic pigeon deterrent ultrasonic: Amazon, Ebay, local and online hardware stores, garden centers, specialist retailers
The prices for pigeon scarers range from a modest 2.99 euros for a raven or crow to 5,700 euros for a professional screaming device in the form of a movable, computer-controlled dummy falcon. A powerful pigeon deterrent is therefore affordable for every budget. More important than the amount invested is the correct application, as this guide explains.
Frequently asked questions
Is a pigeon scare raven suitable for fighting a plague of pigeons on the balcony?
You can usually easily keep individual animals away from the balcony using dummy birds. To deal with a plague of pigeons, the pigeon scare raven is not effective enough, even if you use several dummies, hang them up and move them regularly. To combat a horde of pigeons, we recommend installing pigeon deterrent spirals. If the infestation level is very high, a professional pest controller will be available to provide you with advice and assistance.
Which pigeon deterrent works if I'm sitting on the balcony and want to scare away a pigeon approaching?
In cities, it is becoming increasingly common to see balcony owners arming themselves with a water pistol. In fact, the popular children's toy proves to be a perfect pigeon deterrent with no side effects. A targeted jet of water makes it unmistakably clear to pigeons as they approach that the balcony is taboo.
Aren't spikes a more effective pigeon deterrent than optical or acoustic methods?
Frightening pigeons as a defensive strategy enjoys widespread acceptance because no harm comes to the uninvited guests. This changes as soon as you attach needle-pointed spikes to the balcony and roof as a pigeon deterrent. Birds often do not notice the spikes in time and suffer serious injuries when attempting to land. Animal-friendly balcony owners do not accept this downside of deterring pigeons and prefer optical or acoustic methods without side effects.
Is there a pigeon deterrent to protect birdhouses for tits?
Greedy pigeons have their sights set on bird feeders for tits in order to steal life-saving food from the small birds. Since conventional pigeon scaring methods do not work in this case because they also drive away tits, we recommend the following trick. Stretch a string through the center of the entrance opening to the birdhouse. Mrs Titmouse and other small birds can easily get into the living room with the food supplies. However, fat pigeons are not allowed access.
Pigeons sit cheekily in the flower box and dirty the balcony with their droppings. What to do?
The chosen seat suggests that plants that serve as food for pigeons thrive in the flower box. As herbivores and grain eaters, pigeons prefer to feed on all kinds of seeds. Anyone who grows peas, sweet peas, dwarf sunflowers or chickweed in their flower boxes as a balcony gardener should not be surprised to find pigeons as their boarders. It's not that easy to scare away the hungry poultry from the richly laid table. With simple pigeon scaring methods you are fighting a losing battle. To protect your small kitchen garden and balcony, we recommend a pigeon deterrent net.
Tip
Sophisticated grape scare methods scare away other bird species that make themselves unpopular as nuisances in the garden and on the balcony. Starlings, swallows and sparrows panic and flee when they see a moving dummy raven. Where fright balloons with huge birds of prey eyes dangle, uninvited birds prefer to stay away.
