Pigeon Birth Control Program: The most humane solution to resolve a pigeon problem

published Mar 16, 2021
2 min read

Pigeons are considered to be one of the daily headaches of the urban population. Their tendency to multiply in numbers rapidly is just outrageous. But what makes your blood boil is nothing other than what they leave behind. Be it your precious car or the terrace; it’s sure to have one if not many hideous, intoxicating droppings.

Unfortunately, it’s very hard to exterminate or even control the populations of these birds completely. Shooting the pest and getting rid of it is certainly common, but it produces the complete opposite outcome. The pigeons keep increasing in numbers. Where there’s food, there are pigeons, where there’s even the teeniest place to breed, there are pigeon eggs. Food is basically their secret superpower. Stop giving them food intentionally as well as unintentionally, and you’ll surely see a positive outcome. However, this way is not very effective and cannot control their birth. The best possible pigeon birth control solution is no other than the birth control program.

Pigeon control tactics

Ovocontrol to the rescue

Ovocontrol is a type of food that can effectively reduce the rate of birth among pigeons. How is it, you ask?

Ovocontrol, if consumed regularly by pigeons, can form egg formation deformities. As a result, the baby pigeon never has a chance to hatch out of the egg. This method is perfectly humane and liberal. What’s more, this kibble-type food effectively reduces the flock sizes and completely cuts down the larger ones. You no longer have to be worried about pigeons and whatever they tend to leave behind.

Artificial Nesting Technique

This is the other humane method we are going to discuss in detail here. Here is a guide on how to implement this tactic.

Grab the egg and replace it with a fake one

Pulling the wool over the pigeon’s eyes is the wisest way. Artificial nesting sites are built and installed for the pigeons to roost and breed upon. These are usually nesting boxes or sometimes dovecotes. With pigeon feed as the bait, pigeons are lured to breed and roost in these nesting sites. As soon as they lay their eggs, they are suddenly nicked away and replaced with artificial ones. This process is repeated regularly to maximize the outcome. By using this process, the pigeon population can be halved and effectively taken care of. Another use of dovecotes and nesting boxes is that they can easily be moved away when necessary. This way, pigeon flocks can slowly be moved away from suburban sites to less populated and rural areas.

No food, no pigeons

Overflowing garbage cans and dumping areas of waste are a source of delight for stray cats and dogs and pigeons. Pigeons will eat anything as long as it is or was once edible. This is mainly the reason why these pests have taken over the public parks, rooftops of residential places, and other public sites. If cleaning could be maintained regularly, then the pigeons would not have the source of their survival.

There are a few pigeon lovers who like to feed pigeon flocks literally out of their hands in every town. These people are actually putting the birds at greater risk. This is because due to food availability, the pigeons begin to group together, eventually creating a huge flock. When matter gets out of hand, usually the neighbours call the pest exterminators. As a result, highly inhumane and inefficient methods of removal are used.

Say no to flat surfaces

Pigeons especially look for flat surfaces or rooftops to settle, roost and breed. If you want a pigeon-free and pigeon-dropping-free environment, avoid building and utilizing flat surfaces or, more specifically, flat rooftops. Flat rooftops are their prime choice. Discourage them from doing these things over your homes by altering roosting structures so birds can’t land on windows or rooftops. Other alternatives include bird wire which is of three types, and each can be used wherever necessary. Spikes and coils are strung onto the walls, while netting is mostly done around yards.

Importance of pigeon birth control

Public health regarding pigeon droppings

People usually kill pigeons because they are believed to spread diseases. More specifically, their droppings. Histoplasmosis, for example, is a fungus that grows on soil that has been in contact with droppings. It might or might not directly lead to infections. Eighty per cent of the time, people don’t even know that they are exposed to the fungus.

Slip and fall jeopardy

It’s a common fact that bird faeces cause slippery and slimy surfaces. Many people have met small accidents all because of these grimy droppings. It seems as if these creatures have resolved to look for new places to drop their faeces. Droppings are thus found in quite unexpected places.

Perilous effects of droppings

Sometimes, pigeons and other bird droppings fall on a wire or electrical pole, which can be quite dangerous. Also, in the right set of conditions, the mixture of urine and pigeon faeces can cause steel and even concrete to corrode.