A Complete Guide on How to Deter Pigeons From Your Garden

Welcoming wildlife into your garden can add a touch of nature’s serenity to your outdoor space. However, if pigeons begin to overcrowd the space, they can quickly turn from a pleasant sight to a pestering presence.

These common birds, while seemingly harmless, often come in flocks and can damage plants, desecrate surfaces with droppings, and deter smaller, more colourful birds. Also, thanks to their persistent pecking, can wreak havoc on your garden too, feasting on seeds and young shoots, and some may even decide your ledges or eaves are the ideal place to settle down.

Maintaining a balance of nature and neatness is key to enjoying your garden in the summer months. Here, we want to help you humanely discourage pigeons from turning your cherished garden into their playground. Whether you’re looking to protect your lush greens or simply enjoy your morning cuppa in peace, we are here to guide you through the best strategies to keep these birds at bay without causing them harm.

Let’s reclaim your green space and restore tranquillity in your garden with our guide to deter pigeons.

Understanding pigeon behaviour

By understanding the behaviour of pigeons you can effectively manage their presence in your garden. These birds, often seen as a nuisance, follow predictable patterns which means that through targeted actions you can reduce the likelihood of them returning again and again in your garden.

Feeding habits

Pigeons are opportunistic feeders, which means they’re constantly looking for easy access to food sources. A few key points to note about pigeons’ feeding habits are:

They primarily eat seeds and grains, but certainly wouldn’t turn their noses up at fruits, vegetables and food waste.
They’re actively searching for food early in the morning and late afternoon.
They’ll adapt quickly to various food sources, which is why you’ll often find them scavenging for scraps.

Nesting preferences

Where a pigeon chooses to nest can give you guidance on how to prevent them from settling in your garden. Understanding their nesting preferences helps you to put in place preventative measures.

Pigeons prefer high ledges, roof spaces, and under eaves for nesting as these spots offer shelter from elements and predators.
They’ll build nests from sticks, grass and debris. If a spot remains undisturbed they’ll go back to it time and time again.
Pigeons don’t have a specific breeding season, which means they’ll continuously reproduce throughout the year if the conditions are right.

Social behaviour

Pigeons are highly social creatures, and this can affect the way they impact your garden:

Pigeons will typically forage and roost in flocks, which can range from small groups to large congregations, depending on the food available.
If they’re given ample food and places to nest, then they’ll likely congregate in large groups in the area.
Pigeons aren’t always put off by humans, so some will be bold enough to populate in areas where you may be.

Attractants

What draws pigeons to specific environments? Here are some attractants that can turn your garden into a pigeon hotspot:

Food availability: Unsecured garbage bins, accessible compost heaps and outdoor pet food dishes are major draws.
Water sources: Birdbaths, fountains or any stagnant water can attract pigeons looking for a drink.
Sheltered resting spots: Overgrown shrubs, vine-covered pergolas and other sheltered garden structures offer perfect roosting spots.

How to deter pigeons from your garden

Modify feeding practices

Secure bings and compost – ensure that bin lids are closed tightly so you don’t attract pigeons with food scraps.
Use pigeon-proof bird feeders – choose feeders that are designed for small birds in a bid to keep pigeons away.
Avoid ground feeding – Don’t scatter food on the ground, use high bird feeds instead.

Restrict access to potential food

Protect your plants with garden netting to stop pigeons from accessing crops and sown seeds.
Use decoys like plastic owls or hawks to help scare pigeons away, these are both natural predators of the birds.

Deterrent strategies

Hang reflective tape or discs that move in the wind, this will startle pigeons with the bright reflections.
Install anti-roosting spike strips on your fences and ledges to stop pigeons from landing there.
Use ultrasonic noise devices that emit sounds that are unpleasant to pigeons but aren’t typically heard by humans.

How to keep pigeons out of the garden

There are a number of options available to you to help keep pigeons out of the garden.

Think about your garden layout, by reducing the number of flat surfaces for pigeons to land and nest on you can help keep them out of your garden. You could also consider installing a motion-activated sprinkler system, this will startle the pigeons and hopefully shoo them away when the water gets them.

There are specific plant species that aren’t particularly appealing to pigeons, like lavender and mint. Planting prickly plants is another option to keep pigeons away, just be careful if you have pets or small children in the garden though.

It’s also beneficial to make sure that you keep on top of garden maintenance and tidy away things like fallen seeds and fruits which can attract pigeons.

What scares pigeons away?

Use innovative scare tactics like realistic predator models of hawks and falcons to frighten pigeons from your garden. You can also install things like wind chimes which can sometimes scare pigeons, or strips of reflective materials that flutter in the wind. When they move the bright lights can help to keep pigeons from your green space.

How to Stop Pigeons Eating Grass Seed

Stopping pigeons from eating grass seed in your garden can be quite challenging, but with the right strategies, you can effectively protect your newly sown lawns and ensure that seeds have the chance to sprout and grow.

One of the simplest ways to prevent pigeons from accessing your grass seed is to cover the seeded area immediately after sowing. You could lay burlap sheets over the seeds, which not only protects the seeds from birds but can also help to retain moisture which encourages germination.

You could also use repellants to keep pigeons from eating grass seed. Certain substances will deter pigeons from visiting your lawn without harming them. Some sprays will make the seeds taste bad, but don’t harm the plant or animals, you need to make sure that anything you put on the seed is suitable for use on grass seeds.

Adjusting how you prepare and maintain your soil can also prevent pigeons from poaching seeds. Hydroseeding mixes grass seeds with mulch, fertiliser and a bonding agent – spray this mixture onto the soil. You could also try raking the soil lightly once you’ve scattered the seeds so they sit just under the surface , rather than on top. Hopefully, this will make it harder for pigeons to spot them. A final tactic is to keep the soil moist, a wet surface can deter pigeons as they typically prefer to dig for seeds in dry soil.

How to Stop Pigeons Nesting

If you want to stop pigeons from nesting around your home and garden, you’ll have to be committed and strategic with your plans. The key is to make the environment unappealing and inaccessible to them.

Sealing entry points is crucial; pigeons look for quiet, sheltered spots to build their nests, such as under eaves, in roof spaces, or on ledges. Use mesh or wire to block off these areas, ensuring there are no gaps for pigeons to squeeze through.

Installing anti-roosting spike strips on ledges, window sills, and along rooflines can also prevent pigeons from settling in these areas as they find the spikes uncomfortable and cannot land securely. Slope adapters can also be installed on flat surfaces where pigeons typically nest, preventing them from building nests as they cannot balance on the angled surface.

Regular maintenance is also essential in preventing pigeons from nesting. This includes removing any existing nests (which is best done outside of the breeding season to avoid harming the birds), cleaning the areas thoroughly to remove all traces of pigeon activity, and applying a non-toxic repellent. These repellents make the area less attractive to pigeons due to unpleasant textures or tastes.

By understanding pigeon behaviour and implementing these strategic deterrents, your garden can thrive as a peaceful, pigeon-free zone. If you’re still struggling with pigeons around your home, get in touch with us and we’ll be happy to provide some advice on what’s best to do next.