Pigeons splashing in a puddle by a red car

Why Are Pigeons Attracted to Your Business?

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If pigeons are lurking outside of your business, not only may they be giving your customers the wrong impression, but they can also be causing damage. Although pigeons sometimes find a place they like for no discernible reason, often, when pigeons are a consistent problem, they are likely attracted to something on your property. By working with a pigeon control specialist, you can pinpoint the source of your issue and deal with it appropriately, so the birds that are plaguing your business stay away for good. What could be bringing pigeons to your business? Here are some of the potential reasons your property looks like an appealing home.

Your roof gives a good view of a good source of food.

There are several reasons that pigeons come to roofs to hang out, but if your roof offers a good vantage point to keep an eye on a favored food source, then you can bet that pigeons will be reluctant to leave on their own. The food source can be anything from a restaurant patio where diners may drop food to a dumpster with lots of potentially tasty trash to pick through. If the food source is on your own property, you may be able to address your problem by relocating the source, but in many cases, businesses with pigeon problems can’t do much to eliminate this issue. For example, if you’re a restaurant with a busy patio, you can close off that dining space and lose business. In these cases, putting anti-roosting spikes on your roof may be the best solution.

Your gutters aren’t screened.

Gutters are the perfect place for pigeons to roost. Their curvature gives pigeons a place to rest comfortably, while still giving them a good view of what is going on around them. The build-up of pine needles, leaves, and water makes them even more inviting. Getting your gutters cleaned regularly can help dissuade pigeons from setting up there, but it may not be enough to keep them away for an extended period of time. Instead, try using gutter screens. Screens still allow water to filter through your gutters, but they help to keep pests out, including pigeons.

Your warehouse ceiling isn’t netted.

A warehouse ceiling looks like home to pigeons on an instinctual level. The height, the expansiveness, and the nooks and crannies all give pigeons the idea that the area is safe and ideal for roosting. Netting is an effective way to make it impossible for pigeons to make their home in your warehouse ceiling, since it prevents them from getting access to the areas they like. Additionally, ultrasonic sound deterrents may help to keep pigeons from even trying to come inside. It is also helpful to make sure any vented windows are screened.

You don’t clean your grounds regularly.

You may not think that there is an obvious food source for pigeons on your grounds, but if you don’t maintain your outdoor space regularly, then there may be. Your parking lot could contain food that customers drop on the ground or that falls out of people’s cars. Your trashcans could contain food waste that is easy for pigeons to get. This kind of food waste doesn’t have to be large or plentiful to bring pigeons around. For example, if there is a picnic table or bench outside your business that customers or employees sit on while eating, the leftover crumbs could be enough to make pigeons come calling. Cleaning your outdoor spaces regularly will reduce the risk that there are unknown food sources on your property.

You already have pigeons on your property.

There is a reason that you often see large groups of pigeons together in a single location. When a pigeon finds somewhere to roost, its presence, scent, and droppings are a signal to other pigeons that the location is safe. All it takes is for one pigeon to call your business home, and you’re likely to see many more gather there. Keep in mind that pigeons were once prized for their honing capabilities, so even when the pigeons who have decided that your business is a safe haven leave, they can easily find their way back.

You’re using pigeon control methods that don’t work.

Pigeon abatement requires skill and patience. Many people find that DIY control methods are ineffective. Contrary to popular belief, cayenne pepper, plastic owls, reflectors, mothballs, and balloons designed to look like predators don’t work. Killing pigeons is not only inhumane—and usually illegal—but it is completely ineffective when it comes to dealing with a pigeon problem in the long run.The best way to deal with a pigeon infestation is to call in the professionals at Premier Pigeon Control. Our experts know how to deal with residential and commercial pigeon problems with solutions that help you get rid of your pest invasion once and for all. Get a free pigeon control consultation in Tucson by calling (520) 882-0078 or in Phoenix by calling (480) 437-4093.