Protecting buildings against feral pigeons

Abstract

Feral pigeons (Columba livia, Gmelin 1789) cause different problems for building owners when using structures for daytime perching, sleeping, and breeding. Problems include fouling of building facades and pavements, transmission of allergens and pathogenic microorganisms, and infestations with ectoparasites emanating from breeding sites. Owners are primarily interested in keeping away unwanted pigeons from their property. Pest control companies offer different deterrent systems, of widely varying efficacy, for proofing buildings against feral pigeons. A better solution is avoiding attractive structures during building design or subsequent alterations of existing structures used by feral pigeons. With our study, we elaborate the relevant structural data to help to maintain a building free of pigeons. We performed experiments with free ranging feral pigeons in a feral pigeon loft in the City of Basel, Switzerland. The maximum outlet width a pigeon is not able to pass through is 4 cm; the respective outlet height is 5 cm and a pigeon-safe square opening is not larger than 6×6 cm. The maximum ledge width a pigeon is not able to sit on is 4 cm. The pigeon-safe angle of inclination for smooth construction materials (tinplate, glass, plastics) is 25°, for medium rough materials (wood, plane concrete) 35°, and for rough materials (sandstone, rough concrete) at least 50°. Additionally, we studied the behavioral strategies used by feral pigeons to surmount our experimental constructional restrictions, ledge width, and ledge inclinations. Our data provide the essential data to prevent feral pigeons from using building structures.

Feral Pigeons: Problems, Dynamics and Control Methods

“…On the other hand, mechanical devices, such as porcupine wires, can be surmounted if bird motivation to access a given site is high enough (HaagWackernagel, 2000). Buildings and structures can be also designed to reduce the attractiveness to pigeons (Haag-Wackernagel & Geigenfeind, 2008;Williams & Corrigan, 1994). While applied in midtown areas, train stations, airports and historical buildings, exclusion methods are rarely integrated into a systematic pest control program, as wrongly thought to be ineffective (Magnino et al, 2009).…”

Dietary habits of urban pigeons (Columba livia) and implications of excreta pH – a review

“…Bird excreta, especially from pigeons, are deemed a major problem for property owners, mainly due to the soiling of facades and internal spaces (Mansfield 1990), as well as public health authorities, as they have been identified as vectors for a number of pathogens (carrying virus, bacteria, fungi, protozoa and parasites) that can be harmful to humans and domestic animals (Cerri et al 1989;Haag-Wackernagel & Moch 2004;Haag-Wackernagel & Spiewak 2004;Moriarty 2008). Property owners have engaged in a diverse range of often costly repellent techniques to rid themselves of these nuisance birds (Alderson 1991;Howard et al 1991;Slater 1998;Stevens et al 1998;Cook et al 2008;Haag-Wackernagel & Geigenfeind 2008;Duarte et al 2011;Riddell 2011;Seamans & Blackwell 2011;Jenni-Eiermann et al 2014;Stock & Haag-Wackernagel 2014). While the mechanical, chemical and acoustic repellent methods appear to be of dubious efficacy, and trapping and poisoning pose issues of social acceptability, as well as ecological efficacy (Kösters et al 1991;Magnino et al 2009), the most effective method appears to be the denial of food (Przybylska et al 2012;Senar et al 2017).…”

Ectoparasites from Feral Pigeons Affecting Humans

“…To prevent feral pigeons from further using a building, bird proofing by appropriate deterrent systems or architectural measures has to be carried out [49,50]. …”

“…Pigeon nests should be completely removed and treated with insecticides before disposal to prevent further infestations as the parasites may leave the waste bins. To prevent further nesting and roosting, access to buildings should be obstructed, and ledges and other structures should be protected with pigeon deterrent systems or structural restrictions [49,50]. …”