Pigeons might seem harmless as they strut around city sidewalks or perch on rooftops, but they can quickly become a major problem when they make your property their home.
Known as “rats with wings” in urban pest control circles, pigeons can cause property damage, spread disease, and create unsanitary living conditions. This is where professional pigeon pest removal becomes crucial, especially in Western Washington, where these birds are a common sight.
Check out our guide to pigeon pest control and learn how we can lend a hand!
Why Are Pigeons a Problem?
Pigeons might not seem like a typical pest, but their presence can create serious problems for both homeowners and businesses. Their droppings are highly acidic and capable of corroding materials such as metal and concrete. These issues not only affect the appearance of your property but also lead to costly repairs. Western Washington’s damp climate adds to the problem by accelerating the damage caused by moisture and acidic buildup.
Beyond structural harm, pigeons are drawn to hard-to-reach spaces like attics, roofs, and chimneys, where they build their nests. If left unchecked, these nests can block gutters, disrupt ventilation systems, and even increase fire risks.
But the problem doesn’t stop there! Pigeon droppings often carry harmful pathogens that can spread diseases like histoplasmosis and salmonella, creating potential health hazards for your family, employees, or customers.
Adding to the nuisance, pigeons can attract secondary pests like bird mites and carpet beetles, which thrive in their nests. Left untreated, these infestations can spread and create even more headaches for property owners.
When you consider the property damage, health risks, and secondary pest issues they bring, pigeons quickly prove themselves to be a problem that needs addressing sooner rather than later.
Common Signs of a Pigeon Problem
Before diving into pigeon pest removal, it’s important to determine if these birds are genuinely causing trouble on your property. Pigeons are creatures of habit, and once they’ve settled in, their presence becomes hard to miss. Here are some common red flags:
- Frequent Pigeon Sightings: Regularly spotting pigeons perched on your roof, windowsills, or other areas is a strong indication they’ve made your property their home.
- Droppings: Accumulations of bird droppings are one of the most obvious signs of a pigeon problem. Look for them near ledges, walkways, and outdoor furniture.
- Noise: Pigeons are far from silent. Persistent cooing, fluttering, or the rustle of wings can indicate an infestation, especially if the sounds come from roofs, attics, or other secluded spaces.
- Nesting Materials: Twigs, feathers, and other debris in gutters, chimneys, or eaves are strong indicators of nesting activity. Pigeons often build messy nests in protected areas, creating potential blockages and hazards.
- Damage to Property: In some cases, pigeons leave visible signs of wear and tear. Look for damaged insulation, clogged gutters, or droppings staining exterior surfaces.
If you’ve noticed one or more of these signs, it’s time to consider professional pigeon pest removal to address the issue before it gets out of hand.
Why DIY Solutions Don’t Cut It
It might be tempting to tackle a pigeon problem on your own. A quick online search offers plenty of DIY tips, like setting up fake owls or using shiny objects to scare them off. While these tricks might work briefly, pigeons are intelligent and quick to adapt. Once they realize there’s no real threat, they’ll return and carry on as usual.
Attempting to trap pigeons or remove nests without the right tools or expertise can also expose you to health risks, particularly if you come into contact with droppings or feathers. Rather than risking your health or wasting time on short-term fixes, professional pigeon pest removal provides a safer and more effective solution to address the issue for good.
Pigeons Pest Removal in Seattle with Sentinel Pest Control
Unlike smaller birds like starlings, pigeons are much larger and typically roost on the exteriors of buildings rather than inside. The key to effective pigeon pest removal is straightforward: make your property as unappealing and inaccessible to them as possible. While this might sound simple, achieving it often requires a combination of technical expertise and specialized tools.
At Sentinel Pest Control, we employ a variety of methods to exclude pigeons from roosting areas. These include:
- Bird Spikes: Installed on ledges, roofs, and other common roosting spots, bird spikes prevent pigeons from landing comfortably.
- Netting: Durable and nearly invisible, netting blocks pigeons from accessing specific areas like overhangs, balconies, or eaves.
- Chemical Repellents: Applied in strategic locations, these create surfaces pigeons find unpleasant to land on, encouraging them to move elsewhere.
- Electrical Currents: Low-voltage systems can be installed to deter pigeons from landing without causing harm to the birds.
- Physical Deterrents: These include sloped surfaces or other modifications to make roosting areas less inviting.
Each of these solutions is carefully tailored to your property’s specific needs. By combining multiple approaches, we ensure that pigeons are removed and discouraged from returning.
If you’re dealing with a pigeon problem, let Sentinel Pest Control help you regain control. Our expert team has the experience and tools to protect your property and keep these unwelcome guests away for good.