12 Natural Ways to Get Rid of Pigeons [Homemade Pigeon Repellent]

Pigeons are beautiful birds but they are a nuisance. They are infamous for dropping their feces anywhere and everywhere. They also often drive away other birds that you may want to have in your garden.

Also, not to mention the huge variety of diseases they can spread. It is safe to say that pigeons are less than ideal to have in your garden. So naturally, it makes sense to get rid of them.

Thankfully there are various natural and safe methods to get rid of them without having to burn a hole in your pocket. Here are some natural ways to get rid of Pigeons. 

How To Get Rid of Pigeons Naturally?

Below are 12 effective natural ways explained with step by step process to get rid of pigeons. These methods include natural pigeon repellents, homemade pigeon repellents and several other home remedies to get rid of pigeons.

1. Bird Spikes

Bird Spikes are a great way to discourage pigeons from nesting in your house. The most common areas for pigeons to nest are window-ledges, rooftops, chimney tops, etc.

When you install bird spikes in those areas, the pigeons will not be able to sit and so they will be deterred away from your home. Eventually, they would stop pestering your garden. 

Required Items:

• Bird spikes 
• Screws or silicone (as required)

Step by Step Process:

• Identify all the potential pigeon nesting areas in your house. Any window ledges, rooftops, chimney tops, patios, sheds, etc, can become a pigeon nesting area. You can also see where pigeon droppings are most frequent to identify these nesting areas. 
• Place the bird spikes in those areas and attach them using silicone or screws, as per the instructions on the box. 
• Now if a pigeon tries to sit down or nest in those areas, they will get poked with sharp spikes and thus they will be discouraged. 

Precautions:

Bird Spikes can be dangerous for pets, so only place them in areas where your pets do not have access. 

2. Reflective devices

Birds such as pigeons are not a fan of bright lights, and they especially hate flashing lights. Since these birds primarily come out during the daytime, it is very easy to distract them using the reflection of sunlight.

To do this, you can add different types of reflective materials on and around your house. Some of the most common things used for this purpose are reflective tape, mirrors, reflective decorations, etc.

These things will reflect sunlight which will distract and scare away any pigeons that come near your house. 

Required Items:

• Reflective tape
• Mirrors with a string 
• Reflective spirals

Step by Step Process:

• Hang reflective mirrors and spirals from your windows or your sun sheds using the strings or hook. Make sure that they are in an area of your house that gets ample sunlight throughout the day. 
• You can also apply reflective tape on your window sills and on your walls or even your rooftop if you want. Just make sure that it is facing the sunlight. 
• The reflective surfaces would reflect sunlight in all different directions, which will distract the pigeons and will deter them away. 

Precautions:

Always use plastic or acrylic mirrors for this purpose, because real mirrors may fall and shatter everywhere. 

3. Mylar Balloons

Similar to the last method, mylar balloons also have a reflective surface that can help scare away pigeons.

However, these balloons can also work as scarecrows when they are filled with helium and placed outside. You can also buy specific scarecrow balloons, however, that is not necessary. 

Required Items:

• Reflective mylar balloons
• Helium 
• Long fishing lines or strings 

Step by Step Process:

• Fill up your mylar balloons with helium, and close the valve. 
• The ballons should already come with strings, however, if you want it to be longer, attach a piece of fishing line or string to make it float higher. 
• Take these balloons outside and tie them to something stable, such as a fence, a tree branch, or a pole. Secure it well, so that the balloons don’t fly away. 
• Make sure to put them in certain positions that get ample sunlight throughout the day. You can also make sure that they are placed in a position where they receive some wind. 
• The balloons should float and reflect light in all different directions, which will distract any pigeon that comes near them. The pigeons may also be scared of the moving balloons, by mistaking them as predators. 

Precautions:

Make sure that the valve is secured properly so that the helium does not escape and deflate the balloons easily. Also, make sure to tie the balloons securely to objects so that they do not fly away. 

4. Bird Repellent gel

Pigeon repellent gel is a jelly-like substance that is very sticky and uncomfortable for pigeons. This gel can be used for discouraging pigeons from landing or nesting in your house.

It may be difficult to use this type of gel everywhere in your house, however, it is very effective for keeping pigeons away from windows, attics, and sheds. 

Required Items:

• Bird repellent gel

Step by Step Process:

• Identify the areas that have the most pigeon droppings or where the pigeons usually sit in your house. 
• The gel usually comes in a tube or a caulk tube, so it is easy to apply. Apply a straight line of the gel on the window ledge or rooftop or anywhere else that you may need to apply to. 
• The gel usually lasts for 6 months or so, given that there is no extreme weather condition. 
• Whenever a pigeon sits in the area, its legs and wings will be coated with the sticky gel, which will discourage them from coming back. 

Precautions:

Do not apply this gel to the ground, because other animals can get stuck on it. 

5. Bird Shock Tape

Bird shock tape is usually only good for a specific spot, so if you have a problem with pigeons sitting in a certain area, you can use this method to drive them away.

The shock tape has to be attached to a battery pack, which will shock the birds whenever they sit on the tape. It is usually very easy to apply and quite effective. 

Required Items:

• Bird shock tape
• Battery pack 
• Batteries

Step by Step Process:

• Apply the bird shock tape to your desired area of the house. This may be your roof, window ledge or sun shed, etc. 
• Attach the battery pack to the shocking tape and insert the batteries. 
• Switch on the mechanism. 
• Whenever a pigeon sits on the tape, it will be shocked by a jolt of electricity. They will fly away immediately and they will be discouraged from returning to the area again. 

Precautions:

Never place this tape in an area that can be accessed by your pets or your child, as it can shock them as well. 

6. Motion-activated sprinkler

Motion-activated sprinklers are great for driving away any type of animals and birds including pigeons. This is also one of the most effective ways. To make sure this works, you must use a sprinkler that can rotate 360 degrees.

Anytime a pigeon enters your garden it will get sprayed by a generous amount of water, which will distract them and discourage them from entering your garden again. 

Required Items:

• Motion-activated sprinkler 
• Water pipe 

Step by Step Process:

• Install the motion-activated sprinkler in an area of your garden where it can access the complete garden. 
• Attach the water pipe to it and connect it to a water source. Turn on the water source and then the motion-activated sprinkler. 
• If a pigeon enters your garden, the sprinkler will immediately spray it with water. This will not only distract the pigeon, but it will also temporarily stop them from flying. 
• This will discourage them from coming back to your garden again. 

Precautions:

Make sure to turn off the sprinkler if you are going to work in your garden, otherwise, you will also get sprayed. 

7. Invisible wires

The way that these invisible wires work is by stopping the pigeons from being able to fly towards your house. This is a great way to discourage pigeons from coming back to your house as well.

You can use a clear monofilament or clear fishing line for this purpose. This is a totally safe method for your pets and your children and it also does not hurt the pigeons significantly. 

Required Items:

• Clear monofilament or clear fishing line
• Poles

Step by Step Process:

• Install a few poles around your garden or your yard. Keep them close to your house. 
• Tie the invisible string onto one of the poles and then extend it and tie it around the next one. Wrap the string and bring it back to the first pole. Do this a few times in a zig-zag pattern to create a barrier with the strings.  Keep in mind not to cover any walking space with this string. Only tie it high up on the poles. 
• If you are trying to protect a balcony, you can install the poles on the corners of your balcony and tie the strings to them. In this case, you can cover the whole length of the pole with strings. 
• When a pigeon flies towards the barrier, it will get hit by the invisible strings. This is not only uncomfortable for the pigeon, but it also physically prevents it from entering your balcony or on your house. After this happens a few times, they will stop coming back. 

Precautions:

The strings can break with an extreme weather event, so keep an eye on them to check if they are still intact. 

8. Optical gel

Optical gels are a commercial pigeon repellent product that works by distracting pigeons using multiple sensory distractions. It has a strong smell, a light, and a sticky surface, all of which aids in distracting the pigeons.

You would need a lot of optical gels to be able to get rid of pigeons from all over your house, but if you are looking to prevent pigeons from sitting in a particular area, this is a great option. 

Required Items:

• Optical gel 
• Silicone 

Step by Step Process:

• Choose the area that you want to protect using optical gels. This could be your balcony, window ledge, or your rooftop. 
• You would need at least 1optical gel per square foot of area that you are trying to cover approximately. 
• Place one optical gel per foot and attach them with a small drop of silicone glue. 
• Allow the silicone to dry for an hour and it is now ready. 
• These devices prevent pigeons by using multi-sensory deterrents. They have a strong smell, a bright light, and a sticky surface, all of which will repel the pigeons from the particular area. 

Precautions:

These devices usually last for 3  to 4 years. So you will have to replace them after that time. 

9. Homemade Pigeon Repellent

If you are in a pinch and want to drive the pigeons away from your house without any extra cost you can easily make a repellent spray at home using ingredients you already have in your kitchen.

This simple concoction has a strong smell that will drive away pigeons from the areas that you spray it in. 

Required Items:

• Garlic
• Chilli powder 
• Dish soap
• Water 

Step by Step Process:

• Take one garlic and peel off the cloves. Blend them with 1 cup of water in a blender. 
• Let the mixture sit overnight in your fridge. 
• Strain out the water and add 2 teaspoons of chili powder to it. Also, add 1 teaspoon of dish soap to this mixture. 
• Transfer this mixture into a spray bottle and use it in all the areas that you want to repel pigeons from. 
• Spray the mixture every 3 to 4 days to keep the smell strong. In the meanwhile, you can store the mixture in your fridge for up to 2 weeks. 

Precautions:

Do not accidentally spray this mixture into your eyes or nose, as it will sting and burn. 

10. Peppermint spray

Peppermint has a very strong scent that pigeons are not fond of. So, when you spray peppermint onto a surface, you can be assured that pigeons will not come anywhere near it. In fact, you can make this spray yourself at home using only a few ingredients. 

Required Items:

• Peppermint essential oil 
• Rubbing alcohol 
• Water 
• Spray bottle 

Step by Step Process:

• In a spray bottle, add ¼ cup of 90% rubbing alcohol with ½ cup of water. 
• Add 1 teaspoon of peppermint essential oil to it. 
• Close the bottle and shake well, now it is ready to use.
• Spray this mixture on any surface that you want to repel pigeons from. 
• Reapply the mixture every 3 to 4 days or until the smell fades away. This will keep the pigeons away.  

Precautions:

You must re-apply the solution every few days, otherwise, pigeons will return as soon as the smell is gone. 

11. Vinegar

Vinegar is a commonly used household item. It is a mild acid that is used in cooking as well as cleaning. However, it can also be used to drive away pigeons from any surface that you want.

It’s as simple as spraying down the area with the vinegar solution. The strong acidic smell is a natural bird repellent, but it is completely safe for children as well as pets. 

Required Items:

• Vinegar 
• Water 
• Spray bottle

Step by Step Process:

• Mix 1 part vinegar with 1 part of water and transfer this mixture into a spray bottle. 
• Spray down your balcony, window sills, sunshade, patio, or even your plants to repel pigeons from them. 
• Spray again after 5 to 7 days or when the smell fades away. 

Precautions:

Do not spray on exposed wood or metal objects because vinegar can bleach or tarnish those surfaces. 

12. Owl Decoy

Pigeons, like other birds, are afraid of owls since owls are natural predators of pigeons. You can use this to your advantage by installing a few owl decoys around your house.

However, if you do not move around the decoy every few days, the pigeons will become aware that it is a fake. You can also purchase decoys that rotate throughout the day to make them look more realistic. 

Required Items:

• Owl Decoy

Step by Step Process:

• Install an owl decoy in a position that is visible from far away. This will allow the pigeons to see the owl figurine from far away. 
• You can install multiple figurines around your house. Or even opt for a moving decoy that will imitate a real owl. 
• You must move the decoys around to different places every few days. 
• The pigeons will think that there is an owl in your house and they will be afraid to come near your house. 

Precautions:

Unless you move the owl decoy around, the birds will catch on to the fact that it is a fake decoy. 

How To Keep Pigeons Away?

Below are 4 effective natural techniques to keep pigeons away.

1. Pigeon net

A pigeon net is a way to protect your property from being attacked by pigeons. This method is usually used by farmers to protect their land where they grow grains since pigeons often like to feed on grains.

However, this method can also be used to protect other things such as your bird feeder, or your trees.

Pigeon nets usually have small holes, which means that only small birds can get in, while pigeons cannot. This is a great way for preventing pigeons if you have a large garden or if you grow your own vegetables. 

2. Cap your chimney

One of the most common places that you will find a pigeon net is on chimneys. These are the perfect warm yet secluded areas for pigeons to make their nest in, so it is important to protect your chimney tops to prevent them from being blocked by pigeons.

The best way to do so is to add caps to your chimneys. These caps do have to be installed by a professional, but it is relatively cheap and quite effective at keeping out pigeons. 

3. Seal any potential entry points

If you are frequently finding pigeons inside your house, in places such as attics, balconies, etc, then you must check to see where they are entering from.

Usually, there is a window or an opening or a hole somewhere that is giving the pigeons access to your house. You must seal off those areas to stop them from coming inside.

You can do this by attaching planks of wood on top of the hole or the opening, or you can attach a door that can be opened and shut. Or as a temporary measure, you can also use duct tape to seal up these entry points. 

4. Remove any food source

If you have a bird feeder, the pigeons may be attracted to it. If you have a nut tree or a fruit tree, that can also be a potential attraction for the pigeons.

Also if you feed squirrels or any other animal outside your house, those leftover food items can also attract pigeons.

To truly prevent pigeons from coming to your house, you must get rid of these potential food sources, or protect the sources in a way that the pigeons do not get access to. You can add pigeon-proof netting around your bird feeder.

You can protect your fruit and nut trees by covering them with a pigeon-proof net and you can always feed the squirrels in an area outside your garden or home. 

Top 5 Pigeon Natural Repellents

If you are looking for readily available natural repellents to get rid of pigeons, check below listed best Natural/Organic Repellents.

Final Words:

Pigeons can be annoying and even dangerous. Pigeons can carry many different diseases such as cryptococcosis, toxoplasmosis, salmonella, etc.

Their droppings can also spread diseases, and unfortunately, pigeons spread their droppings everywhere. They can also steal grains, fruits, and human food items.

This is why many people prefer to drive away pigeons from their houses or property. Thankfully there are so many natural ways to get rid of pigeons. We hope that you follow the methods provided in our article and can soon get rid of these pesky birds.