How do I get rid of pigeons from my balcony?

October 7, 2010 8:34 AM

How do I get rid of pigeons from my balcony?

I want to get rid of them without spending more than $50 and with the least effort.

I live in Montreal. Will the pigeons be hanging about all winter?


I don't like the idea of hurting animals, but I like less the idea of living with pigeons cooing and pooping. I am prepared to buy a pellet gun (which I can sell after) and shoot enough of them that the rest avoid my third-floor balcony. I don't like the idea of going downstairs and picking up the bodies though. Is this legal in Montreal?

posted by anonymous to home & garden (13 answers total)

you must remove access to their roosting places. that is all. use chicken wire or something similar to block off your eaves or other places they roost. they'll go elsewhere and you won't have to hurt them.

we had pigeons galore when we first moved to our house. mr supermedusa chickenwired our eaves and they are gone :)
posted by supermedusa at 8:36 AM on October 7, 2010

You sound like pigeon spikes (link to UK company, but they are sold in the US) might be of help.
posted by MuffinMan at 8:42 AM on October 7, 2010

Pigeon spikes. I doubt that you will be able to humanely and quickly kill many of them with a pellet gun, especially if you are not already a decent shot with one (which your lack of gun ownership speaks to). Instead, you would probably scare them off temporarily and wound at least one of them. This is the wrong way to go. So, if you're worried about hurting them, choose another option.
posted by proj at 8:50 AM on October 7, 2010

Previously.

If the spikes don't do it, add a plastic owl. They sell them in most hardware stores.
posted by griphus at 8:55 AM on October 7, 2010 [2 favorites]

n'thing the pigeon spikes and chicken wire. You can't stand guard 24x7, but the spikes can.
posted by nomisxid at 8:55 AM on October 7, 2010

Another vote for spikes or something similar to block their landing spots. However, they can be pretty unsightly. I've also heard anecdotal evidence that statues of birds of prey may scare pigeons off (certainly the real deal does if you have access to them), and they're a lot easier on the eye for us humans.
posted by londonmark at 8:58 AM on October 7, 2010

Nixalite - Where the World Shops for Humane Bird and Animal Control.
posted by pianomover at 9:16 AM on October 7, 2010

Hardware stores here (e.g. Ace, in California) sell wide-mesh netting of very thin black plastic - the holes are an inch or two across, and the "string" is more like thread. I think it's a lot less ugly than spikes, almost invisible when spread, and would totally shut out the pigeons. Check your local hardware places. Alternatively, I'd use fishing nylon strings across the balcony opening, four to six inches apart; that would be enough to interrupt pigeon flight but not your view.
posted by anadem at 9:21 AM on October 7, 2010

cat
posted by Namlit at 9:22 AM on October 7, 2010 [2 favorites]

The roof level of the parking structure at my office has a huge plastic owl with cloth wings for this purpose, and I never see pigeons or their droppings up there.
posted by katillathehun at 9:34 AM on October 7, 2010

Tanglefoot Paste Bird Repellent. Haven't had pigeons in ages. Only had to apply it once.
posted by elle.jeezy at 1:13 PM on October 7, 2010

You could get a falcon!
posted by Sukiari at 4:43 PM on October 7, 2010 [1 favorite]

In my experience, the plastic owl is effective only until the pigeons realize that it never moves. Then they ignore it and carry on. So don't count on it for a total solution.
posted by exphysicist345 at 11:02 PM on October 7, 2010