How to Control Pigeon Population Growth in Phoenix

Phoenix is an ideal pigeon breeding ground due to its warm climate. Feral pigeons like living in densely populated urban areas as these provide them with ample food and places to nest. They face a minimal risk of running into natural predators, freeing them to breed almost uninterrupted. In their natural habitat, pigeons nest along cliff faces and mountainsides. They substitute these nesting areas for bridges, warehouses, industrial sites, commercial buildings, and rooftops in a city center. An out-of-control pigeon population threatens human lives, as the birds carry several potentially harmful organisms. Here are some things Phoenix building owners can do to control pigeon population growth.

HOW TO KEEP PIGEONS AWAY FROM YOUR BUSINESS

Disrupting pigeon reproduction

The easiest way to deal with a large pigeon population is by nipping the problem in the bud. This is done by preventing the birds from reproducing.

Companies specializing in pigeon control in Phoenix recommend using pigeon birth control to accomplish this objective. It is a bait that users mix into regular birdseed fed to pigeons. Once pigeons ingest the bait, females will lay eggs that fail to hatch.

Strict protocols and guidelines govern how users feed the birth control bait to their pigeon population. It starts with creating a pigeon feeding schedule that gets these birds into the habit of reporting to a single location at a specific time to get food. Once that routine is established, the bait is slowly introduced to their diet, reducing the population by at least 50% within a year of use.

Many bird lovers worry that other species’ breeding patterns will face disruptions. However, this is unlikely to happen. Pigeons are aggressive and frighten other birds away to protect their food supply.

Remove food supply

The primary reason pigeons breed at such a prodigious rate is how easily they gather food. Feral pigeons have evolved into scavengers, learning to survive on many food sources.

These city-based pigeons like nothing better than to root through a garbage can looking for leftovers. The multitude of trash cans and dumpsters in an urban environment like Phoenix provides an ideal feeding system for its pigeons.

Preventing pigeons from accessing food is essential for reducing their population size. They will not breed if they lack a food supply. This is achieved by keeping trashcans and dumpsters sealed to prevent pigeons from getting into them.

City authorities should also prohibit residents from feeding feral pigeons. Many people think they are helping the birds by bringing them breadcrumbs. However, they are exacerbating the population problem.

Pigeon proofing buildings

Pigeons cannot nest and breed on surfaces where they cannot land. Therefore, building owners should prevent the birds from perching anywhere. Among the measures to utilize are pigeon spike strips, nets, and repellent gels.

Spikes are perfect for surfaces like railings and roof pitches. Building owners span nets under a roof’s eaves to prevent pigeons from accessing these sheltered potential nesting spots. Repellent gels are greasy and prevent pigeons from perching on surfaces without slipping.

These products only work when used comprehensively and monitored for damage or gaps that pigeons can exploit. Even the tiniest opening gives pigeons a chance to get back to nesting and breeding.

Culling

Some people advocate the culling of pigeons to reduce their population size. However, most experts recognize that this approach is not as effective as others. Culling is not a workable solution, whether by trapping, poisoning, or shooting these pigeons. Nor is it humane.

Most cities across America prohibit the culling of pigeons unless a professional extermination company manages it. Even then, additional restrictions may apply. Building owners should explore all other options before considering culling to solve their pigeon population problem.

Contravening bylaws can get building owners into legal hot water. The consequences could include lengthy legal processes followed by fines and criminal prosecution. It will leave them out of pocket without reducing the population size.

Natural predators

Feral pigeon populations are so large because they do not face many natural predators in their urban habitat. Pigeon predators live in the wild and steer clear of large human settlements. Among the species that feed on pigeons are snakes, foxes, raccoons, and birds of prey like eagles and owls.

Few building owners want such natural predators around their properties, bringing additional health risks.

However, having an owl or two around is helpful without presenting any threat to human inhabitants. Installing owl boxes on a building will attract these birds to a property. Once an owl settles in, it will hunt and kill prey in the immediate area.

The alternative is to trick pigeons into thinking their natural predators are around them. Building owners can invest in replicas of pigeon predators, placing them on or near a structure.

However, pigeons are wily and soon realize that the models are not real. To prevent this, owners need to move the models occasionally or invest in models that move and emit sound.

Do you know how to scare away pigeons but not other birds?