How to Keep Pigeons Away From Your Balcony? 10 Proven Methods

If you’re a balcony dweller, you’ve likely experienced the nuisance of pigeons flying by your windows and perched on your railings. It can be annoying, unsightly, and downright inconvenient. So how do you keep the pigeons away from your balcony?

The best way to deter pigeons from taking up residence on your balcony is by making it as uninviting as possible. Start by removing any potential food sources like bird feeders or water dishes that may be attracting them.

Also, try using a reflective surface or material to make them uncomfortable. You can also try using bird spikes and nets to block access, as well as sound or light deterrents.

If you’re looking for tips on how to keep the birds away, read on to find out what measures you can take to protect your balcony from pesky pigeons.

What are the Best Ways to Prevent Pigeons from the Balcony?

Pigeons are common visitors on balconies, and while they may be a pleasant sight to some, they can also cause problems. Pigeons can create a mess with their droppings, damage property, and even pose a health risk to humans.

Therefore, it is necessary to take precautions to keep them away. Here are some of the best ways to prevent pigeons from the balcony.

Maintain a Clean Balcony

Pigeons are attracted to locations where they can easily find food. Therefore, keeping your balcony clean and free of any food remnants is important. This entails sweeping regularly, refraining from leaving pet food outside and clearing away any food scraps or crumbs.

Moreover, it is necessary to ensure that pigeons can access no other nearby food sources. For instance, if you reside near a restaurant with outdoor seating, pigeons may be fascinated by the leftovers left behind by customers.

In such a scenario, it may be necessary to communicate with the restaurant owner to explore ways of preventing pigeon access.

Incorporate Reflective Elements

Incorporating reflective elements onto your balcony can serve as a deterrent for pigeons. Consider implementing the following reflective objects:

• Reflective Tape: Procure reflective tape from your local hardware store and cut it into strips. Adorn your balcony with the strips, and let the breeze sway them. The tape’s reflective quality will reflect the light, effectively discouraging pigeons.
• Old CDs: Repurpose old CDs by suspending them around your balcony. The reflective surface will deter pigeons.

• Aluminum Foil: Crumple aluminum foil and hang it around your balcony. The shiny surface will also discourage pigeons.

Use Birds Repelling Gel

Birds can be a nuisance, especially when they roost on your balcony or other areas where they are not welcome. Fortunately, bird repelling gel effectively prevents pigeons from landing and nesting on your property.

This sticky substance is a specially formulated, non-toxic substance that creates an unfavorable surface for birds to walk on. To apply bird repelling gel, wear protective gloves as the sticky substance can be difficult to remove from the skin.

Applying a thick layer of the gel on surfaces where pigeons are likely to land will create a tacky consistency that will last for several months before reapplication is necessary. This innovative solution is safe for the environment and will not harm the birds.

Implementing Decoy Strategies

As territorial creatures, pigeons naturally have a natural aversion to areas with potential predators. Consequently, deploying decoys on your balcony can prove effective in discouraging pigeon infestations.

Several types of decoys are available for this purpose:

• Rubber Snakes: A toy store staple, rubber snakes can be placed on your balcony to intimidate pigeons.
• Plastic Owls: Garden centers typically stock plastic owls that can be used as pigeon deterrents on your balcony.
• Eagle Decoys: Online retailers offer eagle decoys that can be placed on your balcony to intimidate pigeons.

To maximize effectiveness, relocate the decoys periodically. Pigeons will eventually recognize the decoys as non-threatening if they remain in the same location for extended periods.

Avian Deterrent Spikes

These spikes are an efficacious physical solution that effectively curbs the landing of pigeons on your balcony railing or other surfaces. Available in diverse sizes and shapes, they are crafted from plastic or metal.

For a successful installation, thoroughly clean and dry the surface where you intend to place the spikes. Apply an adhesive to the base of each spike and ensure even spacing while affixing them to the surface. Alternatively, you can employ screws or cable ties to secure the spikes in place.

Avian deterrent spikes are a humane mode of pigeon control, as they do not cause any harm to the birds. These spikes may not prove effective in all situations. For instance, if adjacent landing surfaces exist, the pigeons may simply shift to an alternate area.

Netting

If you have a large balcony, you may want to consider installing netting to prevent pigeons from landing on it. Netting can be attached to the sides of the balcony and draped over the top to create a barrier.

When installing netting, make sure to use a sturdy material that is strong enough to withstand weather conditions. You may also want to consider hiring a professional to install the netting, as it can be difficult to do on your own.

Bird Fence or Wire

A viable alternative for deterring pigeons from alighting on your balcony is the employment of a bird fence or wire. Though comparatively pricier than netting or spikes, this option constitutes a more enduring solution.

Installation necessitates the attachment of the fence or wires onto the periphery of the balcony and the formation of a barricade that exceeds the height of the railing. The spacing between each strand of wire or segment of the fence has to be sufficiently narrow to impede the ingress of pigeons.

Trained Predator Birds

Employing trained birds of prey is an alternative course of action for deterring pigeons from nesting on your balcony. Trained falcons and hawks possess an innate urge to hunt pigeons and can serve as a powerful deterrent to discourage their presence on your balcony.

More so, using trained raptors is costly and may not be feasible for everyone. Furthermore, it is a crucial measure that trained raptors are only employed by professionals who are well-versed in handling these birds of prey.

Pigeon Repellent Spray

The avian deterrence solution, commonly known as pigeon repellent spray, is a non-hazardous substance that is highly effective in preventing the roosting of pigeons on your balcony. It operates by releasing an odor that is repugnant to these birds.

To apply the pigeon repellent spray, simply administer it on the surfaces where pigeons frequently perch. Notably, this product is safe for both humans and pets; however, it must not be administered near water or food sources.

Securing Entry Access

To impede the access of pigeons to your balcony, a highly efficacious measure is to obstruct all entry points. This entails the meticulous sealing of any crevices or apertures that may facilitate the entrance of the birds to your balcony.

Conduct a thorough inspection of the perimeter of your balcony to detect any potential openings or gaps, and proceed to apply a suitable sealant, such as caulk, to seal them.

Be sure to extend this process to encompass any locations where the pigeons may have established their nests or roosting spots.

Can You Kill Pigeons To Scare Them Away From The Balcony?

Killing pigeons to scare them away from your balcony is not recommended. Killing pigeons can be inhumane and may also be illegal, depending on your location.

Furthermore, killing pigeons does not address the root of the problem: your balcony is an attractive location for pigeons.

In fact, in some areas, killing pigeons can result in fines or legal consequences. Instead, you can use our mentioned methods to discourage pigeons from gathering on your balcony.

More humane and effective ways to discourage pigeons from frequenting your balcony exist.

Effective Ways to Deter Pigeons from Balcony

Conclusion

Keeping pigeons away from your balcony may seem like a daunting task, but it is possible with the right strategies.

By removing food and water sources, using deterrents like reflective objects, bird spikes, and nets, and making your balcony less attractive to pigeons, you can successfully deter these birds from roosting on your balcony.

Remember that killing pigeons is not recommended, and human alternatives exist to manage their presence. You can enjoy a pigeon-free balcony and all the benefits that come with it, such as a clean and delightful outdoor environment, with a little bit of effort and dedication.