Where to Start With Pigeons on the Roof

If your pigeon problem is an obvious one, fixing it isn't going to be THAT difficult, provided you have the right information. By "obvious", we mean pigeons that you can very clearly see roosting or perched on a ledge, windowsill, fence top, on the roof, etc. Pigeons on the roof is a relatively easy problem to put right — you can see the pigeons, where they are landing and perching, and even where they have left droppings. The resolution is simple — affix bird deterrents to the roof to stop them from perching there, and then clean away all the droppings to make sure it doesn't corrode and ruin your roof.

In some cases, pigeons on the roof is just one symptom of a much larger problem. Those pigeons are likely roosting somewhere close by, and that somewhere close by could be inside a void in the roof, the attic, or in outbuildings, sheds or garages. That's why you shouldn't take a pigeon-on-the-roof problem for granted. Always look around to see if you have a pigeon-in-the-roof problem, too. If you do, you're likely to have young pigeons. This is a bird that has peak breeding seasons in the warmer weather, but can and will breed all year long.

To stop pigeons from landing, perching or roosting on window sills, ledges, and on the roof, you can use a number of items. Bird spike strips are a popular choice, humane and effective. They're relatively inexpensive to buy, can be installed easily enough, and need very little in the form of maintenance. Every now and then, you may need to give them a clean to make sure leaves and stuff don't get stuck, but that's about it.

If the problem is more complex than that, using something designed for straight lines (strip spikes) won't work. Bird netting can come in handy here, but you must make sure you're getting the right kind of bird netting for your bird problem. Larger birds, such as pigeons, don't need tight, smaller-hole netting like smaller pest bird species do, and installing the wrong netting for your bird problem could result in a number of those birds getting stuck in the netting. If it is very fine or thin, the pigeons may not notice it and could end up flying right into it.

Bird netting isn't the best-looking option when you're trying to remove pigeons, especially when you're using larger-holed netting. In these cases, bird wires might prove useful, but again, only work when you're trying to protect and secure specific areas. If none of these methods work for you and your property, the actual, physical removal of the birds could be required, and this is something usually only lawfully permitted by someone with a permit and/or insurance.

Whatever method you choose, always, always, always read the instructions first, and make sure all safety advisories are followed … to. the. letter. These instructions are there to ensure no harm comes to the bird (lawful removal), and also that no harm comes to you. If you're hanging around on the roof installing the devices, make sure that you have a secondary person on hand in case of any emergencies. Who's going to call the ambulance if you fall from the roof when working alone?