PIGEONS
David E. Williams
State Director
USDA-APHIS-Wildlife Services
Lincoln, NE 68501
Robert M. Corrigan
Staff Specialist
Vertebrate Pest Management
Purdue University
West Lafayette, IN 47907
Fig. 1. Pigeons, Columba livia
Damage Prevention and Control Methods
Exclusion
Screen eaves, vents, windows, doors,
and other openings with 1/4-inch
(0.6-cm) mesh hardware cloth.
Change angle of roosting ledge to 45o
or more.
Attach porcupine wires (Cat ClawTM,
NixaliteTM), ECOPICTM, or Bird
BarrierTM to roosting sites.
Install electrical shocking device
(Avi-AwayTM, FlyawayTM,
Vertebrate Repellent System
[VRSTM]) on roost sites.
Habitat Modification
Eliminate food supply. Discourage
people from feeding pigeons in
public areas. Clean up spilled grain
around elevators, feed mills, and
railcar clean-out areas. Eliminate
standing water.
Frightening
Visual and auditory frightening
devices are usually not effective
over long periods of time.
Avitrol® (a chemical frightening agent)
Repellents
Tactile:
various nontoxic, sticky substances
(4 -The BirdsTM, HotfootTM,
TanglefootTM, Roost No MoreTM,
and Bird-ProofTM).
Odor:
naphthalene flakes.
Toxicants
Oral:
DRC-1339, used under supervision
of USDA-APHIS-Wildlife Services only.
Avitrol®, depends on bait
concentration.
Contact:
Rid-A-BirdTM perches containing
fenthion (use with great care; can be
hazardous to nontarget species). (Editors Note: This product is no longer
available).
Fumigants
Generally not practical.
Trapping
Several live trap designs are effective.
Shooting
Where legal.
Other Control Methods
Alpha-chloralose (immobilizing agent
used under the supervision of certified
personnel only).
Nest removal.
Editors
Scott E. Hygnstrom;
Robert M. Timm;
Gary E. Larson
PREVENTION AND CONTROL OF WILDLIFE DAMAGE — 1994
Cooperative Extension Division Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources University of Nebraska -Lincoln
United States Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Animal Damage Control
Great Plains Agricultural Council Wildlife Committee