Pigeon Pest Control FOR BEGINNERS

Pigeons: Auctions and Races

2011-09-01T14:14:00.000-07:00

While some pigeons have been considered as pests in many places in Europe and the United States, some of these birds are actually treated as precious "gold-laying" birds by some businessmen around the world. Pigeons are bought and kept in captivity for two main reasons: 1. To have them as pets and 2. To have them as racers. Of these two reasons, the latter earns the most money.

Pigeon racing is fast becoming a popular sport in many places around the world, most especially in the West. Pigeon species which are fit to race are bred and trained to become the next big racing champion. These birds are conditioned to finish different kinds of races, some of which can reach up to 1000 kilometres. Of course, like all races and games, people make the most money out from pigeon racing because of betting.

How to find Pigeons that can Race?

There are many ways to get your first racing pigeon. You can go online and buy any of the "racing pigeons" that they sell there or you can go to specialty shops and buy your pigeons first hand. However, the best way to get a racing pigeon that can actually win a race is through pigeon auctions. In these auctions, pigeons which have won races in the past are put into sale to the highest bidder. Of course, it can be expected that the bird will somehow be really costly, considering that many people will want to get the bird for their own sake. But, like what most people who participate in auctions think, the price will definitely not matter anymore, for as long as you get what you want.

Some of these auctions happen in the internet while some happen in pigeon racing arenas and similar places. Just like all other auctions, pigeon auctions also have different approaches. These are:

1. Complete Racing Bird Sell Out - This particular auction involves not just the actual racing pigeon but also all the birds in an owner's loft (including the supplies, equipment and cages). This is best for those who want to start a pigeon racing hobby but do not want to go into the hassles of starting from scratch. This can be very expensive, but like what has been said, in the context of auctions, it is not the money that matters, it is the item that you get.

2. Loft Reduction - This type of an auction is done when a particular owner wants to reduce the number of birds in his/her loft. Many people still like this kind of an auction because it assures that the birds that they will be getting came from a direct bloodline as those birds which have won the races in the past.

3. Special Pigeon Auction - This auction can be likened to auctioning a Hollywood Celebrity's boots or dress. Now, since it is pigeon auction, instead of an item, the owner will put a real winning bird into an auction, but for grabs to those who can afford.

4. Donation Auction - Much like all the other auctions already mentioned, the only difference is that the money earned through it will not be used for personal purposes, rather, it will be donated for charity works. Many people are willing to pay extra for donation auctions because it translates as an act of generosity to the needy.

Tips When Participating in Auctions

Before you participate in a bird auction, you need to make sure that you are already ready to take on the responsibility of taking care of the birds that you will win. Of course, it is already a given fact that the birds that you will get in an auction are "precious" birds and losing them because of poor treatment is definitely both a waste of money and of life.

More Common Types of Pigeons

2011-08-25T09:03:00.000-07:00

In the previous article we have talked about two of the most common types of pigeons. Understandably, there are still other common types of pigeons that were not discussed. We will now be discussing the other species of pigeons in this article. These other types of pigeons are however, less common but they still comprise a big population of the general number of pigeon species in the world. In other words, they are among of those that you most commonly see perching on rooftops or roosting in certain man made establishments. Some of the species are not endemic to US but originated in the European areas. But then they are somehow transferred and were eventually bred into domestication in the area. Here are some of the other species of pigeons that you have to know of.

The Collared Dove

The collared dove's scientific name is Streptopelia Decaocto. They were once native to Britain until 1952. However, in the later years sometime around 1955, they somehow migrated and nested in Norfolk. Now their population extends as far as from Britain to Ireland. And now they are most commonly seen inhabiting the shorelines and boat ports.

Collared doves are not that big of a pigeon species. They are usually medium sized to small and would usually come sandy colors from their head and neck. However in their lower parts in their belly and breasts, they are somewhat paler and a hint of pinkish buff. The reason why they are called collared doves is because of the presence of a collar shaped print on them. The collar band actually extends around their nape area but is cut short that it doesn't reach the front neck area. The collar band is usually colored black and or white and takes a somewhat crescent like shape. However, the younger ones typically don't have this distinctive marking. At flight this collar crescents are quite conspicuous along with stripes of terminal bands.

Biology

Size: Usually 11 inches in length or 28cm from wing to wing span

Habitat: they are commonly found in farmlands in the Britain and Ireland areas. They are also quite prevalent in the urban territories such as parks.

Nesting: They normally build flat shaped nests in trees when in the wild and as well as in buildings.

Eggs: White colored and usually lays two eggs per clutch. Their season of laying eggs are sometime around March to September.

Food: Mainly on grain vegetations, but they are also found to have fruit diets, especially berries.

Hatch time: A normal egg would usually hatch within 11 days.

The Turtle Dove

Streptopelia Turtur or turtle doves are known for their deep purring "tur tur" sounds and we can usually hear this sometime around April to September. These doves usually travel quite a distance during these months as they would originate from the tropics of Africa to Britain. Turtle doves are typically small species of pigeons and they are actually considered to be the smallest resident doves in Britain. They breed mostly in the areas of the South and midlands, but they are sometimes found breeding as well in Scotland and Ireland. However, those instances are quite rare. Usually they breed in these areas in passing and that they then immediately relocate to their destinations down south.

The pigeon's plumage is usually chestnut in color and on their back are black scallop markings. They have pinkish colored underparts, head, rump and flanks but sometimes they are noticed to be grey, with a little accent of black and white stripes stretching around the sides of their necks. Their tails are wedged and black in color, with a strong white color borders at the tip which are quite noticeable during their flight. Their legs are conspicuously red.

Biology

Size: usually about 10.5 to 11 inches in length slightly smaller than the collar pigeons.

Habitat: Turtle doves are most common in the southern and eastern parts of Britain and are only usually found in forest areas and cultivated land. However, there are instances that they can be found perching park trees and residential gardens.

Nesting: they are quite messy in building their nests often out of twigs and are situated high above the tree.

Eggs: typically lays 2 white colored eggs during the months of May and July.

Food: Their main diet is based on seeds and weeds but special diets are inclusive of Chickweed and Charlock and grass.

Hatch time: Usually takes 14 days before they hatch.

Ring Dove

Ring doves and wood pigeons are basically the same species of pigeons and they happen to be the most prevalent species of pigeons in Britain. They also pester farmlands and therefore making them the bane of every farmer in the area.

Shooting campaigns to reduce these species of doves have been going on all throughout the year but have never really ever succeeded in reducing their population. It is said that during autumn culls, wood pigeons are still able to survive despite the limited food supplies during such season and thus have increased their numbers dramatically.

Wood pigeons are actually known for their soft cooing voice which gives any listener the soothing and sleepy ambience and feelings. These coos often take place around spring and summer time. The typical color of these pigeons is grey but lighter in the frontal areas up to its neck. Their tails however are densely black in color. They do have a distinctive tint of reddish tinge in their breast areas. The primary distinctive marks of a wooden pigeon is the white mark present in the neck area and a somewhat large white colored bar on their wings. These marks are quite visible during their flight.

Biology

Size: Are actually the largest of all pigeon species spanning from 15 to 16 inches or about 41 cm.

Habitat: Originally in the woods and forest areas but have evolved to adapt in highly urbanized environment which they are also very common.

Nesting: Flat nests and are usually found in shrubs and trees.

A Complete Beginner's Guide to Pigeon Care

2011-08-25T08:51:00.000-07:00

For starters, there are three primary things that you have to take into consideration when outlining the important factors on how to effective care for you pigeon pet. These three things are: housing, feeding, and water. These three primary considerations are the most important factors in making sure that your pigeons stay safe and in good condition. All these three things have to be optimally and effectively implemented to ascertain the desired output.

Pigeons are fascinating and docile creatures and they deserve every bit of care you can offer to make them live a healthy and safe life. And it's completely up to you on how you will do about that process. Actually, there are many ways on how to ensure your pigeons wellbeing and we will be giving you some of the best beginner instructions on how to effective uphold pigeon care. These approaches are very doable and you can practically do them all by yourself without the assistance of any professional or experienced individual. All you have to make sure is that you completely understand what you will read through in this article and follow precisely through the instructions given. Rest assured, if you are to implement everything that will be mentioned in this guide, you will not have any problems at all.

Guides and Tips on Pigeon Housing

Pigeon housing can either be a loft or a cage. Any of these two housings will do just fine. Just make sure that they are properly built or comfortably appropriated so that your pigeons will never feel inconvenient in any way dwelling in such a place. As much as possible you don't want them to feel as pets but rather household companions or a family member that gets the kind of care that they deserve.

For Cages:

A pigeon cage has to be spacious enough for them to move around. If you can build an entire aviary for a single pigeon pet then feel free to do so, just make sure though that you are capable of coming up with such. Oftentimes, pigeon pet owners are misconceived between the importance of high and wide pigeons. Give more importance to the wideness of the cage rather than its height.

In order to measure the appropriate wideness of the cage that you will have for your pet, make it a point that the containment is wide enough for your bird to stretch its wings fully. Measure the appropriate dimensions in accordance to that level of convenience.

Make it a point as well that the cage is located on a high place or wherever it is improbably accessible to your other pets in the house, especially dogs and cats. They may "meal" their way to your feathered friends without you knowing. Also keep the cage away from drafts, fans and any forms of heat sources. Exposure to temperature extremities may lead to the ailment of your pigeon pets or worse, death.

Most pigeons like their cages when they are semi-open. They like this kind of conditions to protect themselves into the covered area of the cage whenever there is extreme heat or cold. It somehow serves as their refuge.

Ventilation is also very important in pigeon housing as pigeons do still need to breathe fresh air. Also, if your pet pigeon is to be caged the entire time, you have to ensure that your pet pigeon gets regular exercise every time. You can probably allot at least two hours in a day for your pigeon to stretch out.

Like all pigeons do, they like perching and they like perching in flat surfaces rather than irregularly shaped ones. Bricks will do just find as perching areas for pigeons and it could also serve as their nail trimming maintenance tool.

Hygiene and maintenance is important from time to time to make sure that there will be no development of diseases taking place. There are a lot commercial, non-toxic cleaning agents you can purchase, but if you are kind of short in budget, you may just use vinegar.

Feeding Guidelines

Generally, pigeons have always been grain eaters. Protein and carbohydrates are among their fundamental mineral intakes in a day. In feeding grain to your pets, make sure that there is a mixture of a 12-15% ratio of protein in it.

Finding a pigeon feed store can often be tricky and rare. But if you can't find one, you may use chicken feed instead but that's not advisable to go on in the long run. If ever you do find a feed store that sells pigeon feeds purchase from there immediately.

You may also do some personal mixtures of pigeon feeds depending on your preference but make sure that it is still based on the nutritional values given by the feeds. By doing some improvisation yourself, you will be able to come up with a diet that is more complete and balance for your pet pigeon.

Water

Fresh water for your pigeons every day is very important. It is perhaps the most fundamental intake for any pigeon on earth. They may go on without food for days but they can never last longer than a day without water.

There are certain compositions that can be compounded to the water you give to your pet pigeons that can make it more nutritious and thus healthier. For example, Apple cider vinegar is often mixed by a lot of pet owners to the water they give to their pets because of their nutritional value. You may add a little drop of this to the water but then make sure that you still give your pet clear water after. A once per day dosage of this mixture will do just fine.

Other considerations

Nutrition

Since your pet(s) is more than half the time kept indoors, it will need sufficient amount of vitamin intakes. Mineral supplements are also necessary, and make sure they contain Vitamin D3. This vitamin will help energize your pigeon even if kept in a condition where there is less sunlight.

Rarest Pigeon Species

2011-08-24T15:57:00.000-07:00

On this website we have talked about the presence of some rare pigeon species and as well as those that are already extinct. In this article we will be identifying many of the rarest pigeons on earth and we will also give a brief description of them. However, just a disclaimer though, the purpose of this article is not to give you an idea of a shopping list as to which rare pigeon to buy for your personal endeavors but this article is to provide you information and awareness of the present condition of these rare pigeons and how much they are endangered so that you will also take part in protecting them in your own way. Be aware that the list of pigeons mentioned below is truly endangered and any of them could perish anytime if any further hunt will be committed.

It has always been our moral obligation as more powerful creatures on earth to protect those creatures that are weaker than us and to prevent any possibilities of extinction and to preserve all creatures on earth as possible. As humans we have a task to safeguard all that lives in this planet and that would include saving the pigeon species as well from the brink of utter destruction. The best way to start out effectively in our moral responsibility to protect is to know first the creatures that we have to protect. The idea of this article is to enlighten the readers the real endangered state of the species that are going to be mentioned and hopefully it will foster critical thinking and initiative to look for ways on how to truly protect them and eventually save their species of endangerment.

Here are just some but not all of the species of pigeons that are endangered:

1. African Green Pigeon

Its scientific name is Treron Calvus and they are species member of the columbidae family. The African green pigeons are endemically found in Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Democratic Republic of Congo, Botswana, etc. Despite their presence in many countries within Africa, their total number of population is to small that it almost reaches the unviable stage.

2. Band Tailed Pigeon

The Patagioenas Fasciata are average sized birds found in America. These rare birds are close relatives to the Chilean pigeons and Ring-tailed pigeons which are more common in the southern continent. These species form the clade of Patagioenas with the distinguishable trait of a terminal tail band as well as their lustrous plumage in the neck area.

3. Banded Imperial

The scientific name of the banded imperial is Ducula Zoeae. They are also commonly known as the Zoe Imperial Pigeons. They too are members of the columbidae family.

4. Beautiful Fruit Dove

The beautiful fruit doves are rarely distributed species of pigeons in the New Guinea rainforests. They are also found in the islands of Bantata, Salawati, Waigeo, West Papua Indonesia. The female of this species would periodically lay a single white egg in every year.

5. Black Billed Wood

Turtur Abyssinicus are pigeon species found widespread in the African continent and in the Sahara desert. They are able to survive extreme conditions. The black billed wood doves usually dwell in warmer areas for habitation. But their meat are constantly being sought as an ingredient to certain delicacies.

6. The Birmingham Roller

They are actually a breed of highly domesticated pigeons. They are said to originally come from England. They were said to be once developed breeds. They are selected for their unique abilities when flying. They have the ability to rapidly fly backwards and do somersault.

7. The Capuchine Pigeon

Are actually derived pigeons from selective breeding for the purpose of reproducing offspring which would manifest more unique iridescent characteristics. These fancy birds are usually sought and purchased for exhibition purposes for their lustrous appearance and brightly colored feathers. This pigeon's plumage resembles a Dutch's fur overcoat hence the name, the Old Dutch Capuchine Pigeon.

8. Choiseul Crested

These pigeons are actually considered to be extinct species of pigeons at some point until some of them resurfaced around mid 1900's somewhere in the Solomon Islands of Choiseul near the pacific. These species of pigeons were once hunted down for their delectable meats as an ingredient to certain exotic delicacies across the globe. This breed pigeons would have followed after its descendants, the passenger pigeons which have gone extinct during the early 1900's.

9. Dodo Pigeon

These pigeons are literally descendants of the first flightless and huge birds on earth, the dodo. Their appearance also looks just as the same only miniature. These birds are also flightless like their predecessors and are native to the place of Mauritius Island in the Indian Ocean.

10. Galapagos Doves

These are very rare types of pigeons that are only endemic and of course naturally only found in the Galapagos Islands, somewhere near Ecuador of South America. This species of birds are amongst the first subjects of Charles Darwin's initial theories of evolution along with the Galapagos turtles.

11. The Mindanao Bleeding Heart Pigeon

The gallicolumba pigeon (Gallicolumba Crinegera) is species of birds that belong also the Columbidae family. They are endemic only to the island of Mindanao in Philippines. However, some of the species are bred in captivity and they have scattered across the Philippine archipelago.

12. Madagascar Green Pigeons

Are actually species of birds that still belong to the family of Columbidaes. They are naturally found in the island of Madagascar, Mayotte, and Comoros.

13. The Mariana Fruit Dove

Known for their other Carolinian name Mwee'mwe (Ptilinopus roseicapilla) are actually species of birds that mainly feed on fruit vegetations and are endemic in the Mariana's islands. They are usually small and could only range from 22-24 cm long.

14. Tippler Pigeon

This breed of highly domesticated pigeons is usually bred to compete in bird racing and endurance sports. There have been reports that the pigeon can fly non-stop up to 22 hours.

The Old German Owl (Pigeon)

2011-08-24T15:31:00.000-07:00

For some unknown reasons (scientists think it might be because of their big, creepy eyes), pigeons do not like to associate themselves with owls. Many people have even made use of owl decoys to scare away pigeons out of their properties. However, no matter how odd it might sound, there are some pigeons which are actually called owls! Of the most popular ones are the Old German Owls. In no do these birds look like owls, in fact, they look more like doves; they are small and would practically fit in an adult's hand. They are also very friendly and tame, these traits make them easy to breed and reproduce. Most people keep these birds simply because they are fun to own; they are cheerful and sensitive, most importantly, they are very good "parents" -- they are capable of taking care of the young of other pigeons apart from their own children.

Apart from all the characteristics mentioned, these birds are also known because of their energetic demeanour. They can be trained to do acrobatics and will not mind to perform in public. They can twirl and swirl, they are also do some other tricks depending on the extent that they are taught. Moreover, their beautiful plumage makes their bodies very visible while they are on air doing the tricks. This adds to the fun element of watching birds do terrific moved while on flight. Most Old German Owl keepers allow their birds to freely roam around their yard because just like other pigeons, these birds also have very strong homing characteristics (they can find their way back into their homes no matter how unfamiliar their new location is).

Bird Distribution

These birds became known as "old" because there is a pigeon specie that looks like them and are called like them (only without the "old" prefix), they are the German Owls. The distinction was placed in order to determine which birds where introduced in the 1800s and in the 1900s. The "alteration" of the birds happened after they cross-bred with the Anatolian Owls and the Oriental Frills from Germany. Their offspring developed a certain level of distinctness from the original German owls and so in the early 1900s, the prefix "old" was added and the name "German Owl" was then used to refer to the birds that have evolved from the mating of the German Owls and the other birds brought during the 1870s. Nevertheless, it was only in 1956 that the government showed active participation is preserving the original German Owl breeds. Since then, the two birds have reached a very stable level of population, and each breed has been treated as distinct and separate from the other.

In addition, these birds (both the old and the new ones) have long been acknowledged by the United States government as an important entity that needs to be protected by the state. They are listed in the "National Pigeon Association's Encyclopaedia" as one of the more sought-after pigeon breeds in the world. However, the new breed of German Owls were the first ones to be recorded by the association that many people used to believe that the "old German Owls" are actually the new breed and the German Owl breeds are the first ones to exist. Well, this error has long been corrected by many people who have interest on pigeons, it is really just up to the reader of this post to choose which side will he/she take.

Bird Description

Although it has been argued that the Old German Owl is an "old" breed, somehow it can be considered as a "new" one. Beyond this, we know that these birds have already made it big about 40 years ago when popular animal magazines and news channels have started to make a fuss about these birds. Eventually, these birds became so rare in the United States that some dealers are able to sell each of these birds by $150 each, not to mention that these birds actually need companion in order to stay active and alive. That means that anyone who wishes to own a German owl should invest at least $300 on a pair of pigeons.

If we look closely to the German Pigeons, we will realize that not all of them look the same. This is because there are 3 varieties of German Pigeons that are known to us. Overall, about 19 different types of colors and shades have been recorded to be exhibited by these birds.

The three varieties can be distinguished through their marks; the three marks are called shield-marked, self-colored and tail-marked. These three are mere general labels and the different appearances of these marks simply fall under these general descriptions.

Most Old German Owls have the same size as that of ordinary field pigeons, but the latter have less broad breasts and their tails are not as pointed as the first one. Old German Owls have wings which are snugged into their bodies. Their legs are also relatively shorted that that of the field pigeons and they also have shorted necks. Moreover, the German Owls have excess feathers around their neck and head areas. Scientist argues that these excess features may have been used to support the bird's neck.

Up-close, it can also be observed that the German Owls have very big and dark eyes which are surrounded with cares which can be liken to human eye bags (although they are extremely different). These excessive feathers around the neck are also called the Shell Crest. Now, many other pigeon birds may not be getting the proper attention that they need, thus better watch out for my future posts as well as my posts from the past to get good insights as to how these birds should be raised.

The German Owls are not the only ones which were called owls instead of being called pigeons. There's the European Owl, the Spanish Owl and so many other pigeon species. Scroll down into the archive section of these blog to learn more about pigeons.

Pigeon Racing and Medication

2011-08-24T15:21:00.000-07:00

Did you know that pigeons are not only domesticated to become pets but they are also bred to become participants of a racing sport that has been a growing trend of hobby to many pet pigeon enthusiasts? Some people would find it weird to hear the phrase "pigeon racing" as most people are not yet accustomed to this kind of sport. It's not a surprise thought that a lot of people still don't know a thing about pigeon racing as it is just new and still gaining popularity. And not only that; as of the moment the said sport is still exclusive to only those that know it. One may never know anything about pigeon racing at all.

They say thought that the sport has started all the way back during the early 1900's, when they have discovered that not only can pigeons be used as an ingredient recipe to delectable delicacy, they could also be bred for recreational purposes, in the same way with horses. They can be raced with each other. The said sport is said to be the foundation of the evolution of pigeons being used to deliver top secret messages across seas during the World War II. But at present, only the sport lives on since there hasn't been any war as much as the WWII and technology now is far better than it was before and suppose there's no need for messenger pigeons anymore with cellular phones and hi-tech radio communications around.

Although the sport hasn't gained widespread appreciation yet and its popularity is still limited, those people that are accustomed to the sport do the best that they can to showcase the beauty of the sport in the light of hope that they could foster interest to those that witness it. They hold public events so that many people are able to watch the actual sport. However, most of the time it's exclusive since there aren't a lot of areas where the sport can be conducted; rest assured though, if the sport has gained sufficient popularity, venues wouldn't be a problem anymore when the time comes.

Pigeon Care

Like any animal sport, the owner of the competing animal should always make it a point that their pet is given sufficient care that they need so it will be able to perform optimally during the competition. The same thing goes as well with pet pigeons for racing. They also need to be taken care of and being a different kind of animal, they also have a special set of care guidelines, even a specific set of medications in order for them to stay healthy and competitive for the sport. Also another goal to having specific sets of appropriate medication is to ensure that the pigeons will produce robust offspring using the most natural approaches. This is important because through natural means, the immune system of the younglings will never be compromised in anyway. Unlike using artificial approaches or medications wherein a lot setbacks often do take place.

There are actually two general types of medicines that are induced to a racing pigeon for it to become fit. One is the preventative type of medications and the other is curative. You can already deduce the difference in the function of both medications but for your further comprehension we will be discussing both types thoroughly as possible in this article.

Preventative Medications

You can say that all birds are endanger of the risk of contracting diseases at any time through the circumstances of their environment or surroundings as well as in the activities that they do. In order to ensure that these external factors of risks will not reach your racing pigeon, you have to make sure that your pet is boosted with the necessary supplements and vitamins it would need to become healthy and sick-free. This type of medicines is called preventative medicines; medicines that are basically induced to ensure that the contraction of any diseases will be prevented by keeping your pigeon as healthy as possible.

Usually preventative medicines are associated with boosting the immune system of your racing pigeon pet. It ensures that your bird has a natural resistance to any forthcoming diseases in the environment. Having a racing pigeon will surely pose the risk of it having certain illnesses and when it does happen it will definitely compromise its performance. Also, most preventative medications help prevent respiratory diseases in birds.

Curative Medicines

When there is a disease outbreak that takes place during the racing season, then that's the time curative medicines will be used. As the name would imply, it exists the cure an ongoing disease. It is equally important to that of the preventative medicines as it is crucial that ongoing diseases be cured right away in as much as it should be prevented. Since, we can't be truly certain that there will be no disease that would ever inflict our pet pigeons, even when we have already used preventative medications on them. Hence, there is always the need for curative medicines.

It is important though that the sick bird be brought to thorough observation first to make sure what type of disease it has contracted. This way, you will be able to know which appropriate curative medicine you should use to deal with the disease at hand. As it is called "curative" medication, it is only used to destroy diseases and not used as a supplement to boost the immune system. Using curative medications as preventative means would only result to negative side effects to the pigeon's system. The side-effects could range from sickness due to wrong inoculation of dosage and sterility.

These methods of medications should collaborate with each other in order to ensure that your pet pigeons will always be healthy and competitive during competitions. Don't allow lapses in implementing these medications as they can be the cause why your entire efforts will fail at the end of the day. Make sure that you sustain the medications all the way so you won't have to fear any possibilities that your pigeon will contract any disease.

Pigeon Loft Basics

2011-08-24T15:10:00.000-07:00

Pigeons as pets can be quite controllable. Unlike having pet cats or dogs or any other critters, they don't litter around everywhere, and you wouldn't have to keep track all the time of the mess that they do to your home as they can actually be confined in one place like a cage or a loft that would encapsulate all the mess that they do instead having scattered all around the house. However, there is a need for you to ensure that level of control by making it a point that their lofts are well built. If you don't build a well-secured loft for your pigeon pets, there is a big possibility that they may cause hassles to you and to your clean and peaceful living. Plus, it would also risk in the danger of losing your pet knowing that pigeons do fly and they may very well escape your domestication. Therefore, you have to make sure that your pigeon's pet house is sturdy and has the necessary capacity to control all the mess that pigeon do. However, you need to know first how to do that.

More than half the time, people who have pet pigeons build pigeon lofts out of haste and immediate urgency, making their pigeon lofts quite unstable and unable to sustain the pigeons living in it. The truth is, there are prim and proper ways to do about building a pigeon loft than just hammering nails and woods to create a box. The dimensions should be well forecasted as well as the interiors should be well braced. There are also other factors that have to be considered so that your pigeon pets will be able to live in peace and harmony and not in unintentionally inconvenient restriction. As a good pet owner, you would want your pet to not feel as pets but instead they would feel like that they belong. Even though that they are just animals, they do somehow feel the sense of difference between being imprisoned and the feeling of being in a good habitat and it is your responsibility as the owner to make sure that they do feel the latter.

The basics in building a good pigeon loft is quite simple and you really don't have to consider rocket science on it. In fact, most of it is just common sense and the preparations you would need are not necessarily found in high end stores. You can readily find all the preparations you would need in your garage and your toolbox. In this article you will find the most important and crucial considerations in building an effective pigeon loft. The rest of what has to be done can be derived from your resourcefulness and creativity. Make sure that you read through the points in this article thoroughly and understand what they meant. Rest assured, if you are able to follow through and understand all the factors to be considered enlisted in this article; you will surely have a better pigeon loft which will definitely make your pets feel better being domesticated by you.

1. Proper ventilation

You have to understand that like humans, animals also need a breath of fresh air every time to ensure that they do live healthily. Make sure that there is sufficient ventilation in the pigeon loft that you are building. Create windows and openings big enough to permit sufficient air into the loft and at the same time not that big to warrant escape for your pets. You may opt to create a pigeon loft that looks like a cell instead of creating a close house that would most likely restrict the circulation of fresh air. If a loft is created this way, ventilation will surely not going to be a problem at all.

2. Make sure it's dry

You have to be aware that moisture or sudden shifts in the humidity within the area is a primary factor that causes the sickness of birds. Therefore, you have to ask yourself when building the pigeon loft, "will it really stay dry?" Make sure that the location of your pigeon loft is far from areas where it will get wet when it rains. You also have to make sure that the loft is elevated from the ground as ground temperatures could often cause the wood components of your pigeon loft to go damp. Nothing good will ever come out from a wet or damp environment, especially to your pet birds. Install a pole to elevate the loft from the ground and make sure that you make use of a wood that is sturdy and wouldn't easily brittle even if it gets old over time. You can also opt for wood (plywood) flooring installed on your loft to make sure that the interiors would stay dry. This is still an effective to insulate dampness within the loft.

3. Sunshine

Sunlight is important to all living creatures. And you don't have to be a genius to know that your pet pigeons will also need that. Therefore, make sure that apart from proper ventilation and wetness insulation, your pigeon loft is also inductive of sunlight. Make sure that the loft is not utterly boxed out of light cause that would eventually weaken the inhabiting pigeons in it. Make sure that the loft has sufficient openings to permit sunlight. You may also make it a point that the loft is placed on locations where it will be directly hit by sunlight during mornings.

4. Easy to Maintain

Of course, you would have to clean your pigeon loft from time to time to make sure that your pet pigeons don't contract diseases from its unsanitary surroundings. Pigeon dumps are often the causes why pigeons contract diseases that could potentially lead to their fatality. You may be able to grant yourself full access in cleaning up your pigeon loft by installing detachable components to it. This will enable you to access the interiors of the loft and properly clean every part of it.

Pigeon Protection Laws (Part II)

2011-08-24T13:36:00.000-07:00

In our previous discussions regarding pigeon protection laws we have talked about the introduction of the law and the implementing agencies that enact the clauses of the law. In this article we will be discussing the other clauses of the law as well as its scope and provisions. Hopefully, this will provide enlightenment to all individuals who are to implement pigeon control methods in order to deal with their pigeon problem at homes or at work. To ensure that they will be employing methods those are appropriate and in line with the scope of the law provided for pigeons and all other bird species in the area.

The law actually isn't only limited with the providence of counsels or advices to individuals on how to approach their pigeon control methods. The law actually implements sanctions to individuals who use inappropriate lethal methods in dealing with pigeons. The deterrence of the law will be further felt if the rest of the community is aware of the consequences it will have to face if they have undone pigeons. One has to understand the legal responsibility of ensuring the safety of the lives of pigeons falls on the individual property owners and that any employment of illegal lethal methods to rid of pigeon problems will befall on the owner himself and not on the commercial pigeon control contractors. Nevertheless, if the circumstances would dictate so, the ignorance of any pigeon control contractors will also not be tolerated granted that the legal infringement has taken place within the client's property.

The wildlife and countryside act of 1981 mainly deals with the control of any feral pigeons that infringe human territories and the necessary counselling needed in order to become aware the people of what approaches to use. They specifically provide advice to deal with the use of any lethal methods or the possible destruction or removal of pigeon nests in the area. However, for the matters that concern the deliberate or unintended cruelty of individuals to pigeons in the light of the circumstances of protecting establishments with the use of deterrents, the legislation that should appropriate this kind of situation is the Animal Welfare Act 2006. Usually, the issues that relate to cruelty and unnecessary sufferings often come with culling operations, but they are also often associated with the use of inappropriate pigeon control methods. For example, if a person or contractors have used bird netting mechanisms but then have failed to relocate the ensnared birds immediately causing them to suffer and then eventually starve to death, the owner of the property wherein the bird net is installed will be compelled to face the necessary prosecutions in line with the unintentional animal cruelty that took place. The appropriate legislation to be used for this matter will be the Animal Welfare Act of 2006.

Provisions of the Acts

Part I of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981

This provision of the act is entitled "The protection of wild birds, their nests and eggs", has these following confirmations:

• Individuals who will be subjected to the provisions of this act are those:

• Anyone who injured or kills and takes any wild bird;

• Anyone who destroys, damages and or takes the nest of any perceived wild birds while the nest is currently being built or used; or

• Destroys or takes an egg(s) of wild birds, will be subjected to a sanction

• Subject also to the provision of this act if anyone has a possession or control of:

• Of any dead or alive wild bird or a part that came from a particular bird; or

• The possession of any wild bird's egg shall be indubitably guilty of the offence

• A person shall not be guilty in accordance to the provisions of this act if he or she manifests that:

• If the wild bird or egg has not been actually taken or destroyed otherwise if it's in contravention of anything relevant to the provisions; or

• If a bird, egg or any other things in his possession that were apparently sold to him or in any other person, otherwise if there will be any contravention of the provisions of the act. The "relevant provisions" of this act are any of those that fall under the subsection of the act made under it.

• Also, subject to the provisions of this act, if a person will intentionally:

• Disturbs the peaceful living of any bird while it is in the process of building the nest or while it's near its nest or the nest wherein there are eggs and younglings.

• If he or she disturbs the habitation of the younglings or eggs of the wild bird while it is inside the nest area.

• Any infringement of any of the provisions will be subjected to a special penalty or sanction.

These are more or less the provisions and sanctions of the animal welfare act of 2006 and this has been effectively implemented all throughout the time since it's been legislated. It is also made to be the basis of many of the pigeon control methods in the market. They made it a point that all control methods will conform to standards prescribe by the law and anyone who will dare infringe the provisions of the act through the usage of inappropriate methods, whether deliberate or unintentional, will be sanctioned accordingly.

It is important still though to uphold the greater importance of appraising the value of preserving the environmental balance rather than just simply obeying the implemented rules and regulations of the land. One must seek a greater sense of responsibility not out of fear of sanctions but through the genuine sincerity and thoughtfulness of keeping the ecosystem safe from the lethal approaches of mankind. Pigeons may just be birds, but they do serve a greater purpose as well to the entirety of the earth balance and that alone is reason enough for you to care about the approaches you will make in controlling them.

Racing Pigeons and Embryonic Death

2011-08-24T13:25:00.000-07:00

Pigeons are not only domesticated for their meat. Today, more and more people decide to keep pigeons for pigeon racing. This particular recreation is not very new to the human civilization, in fact, it was recorded that pigeons have been raised for the same purposes even during biblical times. However, it is only in the recent times when this form of recreation has actually made it in the mainstream. The number of participants to scheduled races has also increase over the years and today, huge pigeon pens have been built to accommodate massive racing pigeon reproduction.

The most common problem encountered by pigeon keeper is embryonic death. For some reasons, there have been cases in the past when more than 5% of all the eggs would not hatch because the bird embryos inside simply die. It is said that when the embryonic death rate reaches this level, pigeon keepers should act fact and immediately reassess the condition of the entire population kept in the pigeon loft or pen. It was found out that the most common reason why the death rate of the embryos reaches to this level is the presence of the salmonella virus. This virus can cause infections which are fatal to the yet undeveloped bird. Pigeon keepers should make themselves aware of the many reasons why pigeon embryos die in order to prevent further deaths. In general, embryonic deaths can happen during the three different stages of development of the pigeon. These are:

Phase 1: 2-3 days after the eggs are laid (the onset of the incubation)
Phase 2: During the 10-day growth period of the embryo (that is between the 4th and the 14th day)
Phase 3: 2-3 days before the egg hatches

Phase 1

The main reason why embryonic deaths happen during this stage is temperature dropdowns. Once the egg is subjected to inadequate temperatures, the embryo inside it becomes injured and after subsequent injuries, it will experience genetic problems which can lead to death. Genetic problems include anomalies that mutate the embryo into something which cannot support life. The only way to diagnose if the embryo is experiencing this mutation is through an autopsy. Pigeon owners should invest in the autopsy in order to know what the cause of the embryonic death is. This is the most viable way to know how to deal with the problem and avoid further deaths in the future.

Embryos would get injuries because of temperature changes because of their excessive sensitivity to vibrations. When the temperature is not right, the embryo inside the egg vibrates, jarring itself into the egg shell which in turn can cause the injuries. The main reason why the temperature drops is poor parenting. When the adult female pigeons prove to be incapable of incubating their own eggs, then it is imperative that the owner take the initiative and place the eggs in an incubator. Some owners do not even wait to see if the female pigeons would incubate their eggs properly; right after the eggs are laid, owners are quick to remove them from the nests and place them in an incubator to make sure that they hatch.

Phase 2

Embryonic deaths at this stage are primarily caused by malnutrition. The embryo needs extra nourishment during this stage because of the growth that it experiences. This is also the longest phase in the incubation process. The good news is that only a modicum fraction of all embryonic deaths happen during this stage. The main reason is probably because of the fact that the egg in itself is already capable of providing the embryo with all the nutrition that it needs. However, in cases when the egg contains less than the required amount of nutrition, then the bird would die. Unhealthy female pigeons are most likely to lay such kinds of eggs.

Nevertheless, apart from malnutrition, the embryos at this stage can also die out of infection. The cause of the infection is the bacteria commonly called as Salmonella; the other bacteria that causes the same infection is called Chlamydia. The female pigeon may be the carrier of the bacteria and hand it down to its offspring, but is some cases; the bacteria may directly infect the eggs right after they are laid. This happens when the egg shells are contaminated by anything that is a carrier of the bacteria. The first signs of infection are: appearance of fine lines on the egg surface and translucency of the egg.

Phase 3

The most obvious reason why embryos die right before they are hatch is the hatching process itself. This happens because the bird would have to undergo a "difficult" shift as it is being prepared to be hatched. While it is still inside the egg, it gets the air it breathes from the chorioallantois which is found inside the eggs membrane. A few days after hatching, the bird is made to breath outside the membrane without the chorioallantois. This process happens in two stages and in some cases; the birds are only able to survive the first stage.

During the first stage, the bird would have to use its small beak to prick a small hole into the egg's membrane and starts to breathe the air in this portion of the egg. After 12 to 24 hours, the little pigeon will then be able to break through the egg shell itself for its first glimpse of the outside world. The second stage would then start as the bird "drinks" the last remaining amniotic fluid inside the egg. It is during this stage when the chick gets the antibodies that it needs in order to withstand the different pathogens outside the shell. Now, some chicks would already become so exposed to the outside world before the antibodies get into their bodies and they become infected with different kinds of diseases before these antibodies can help them combat the viruses and bacteria that cause them. Thus, the chick dies before it completely gets out of the egg shell.

Endangered Species: Pink Pigeon

2011-08-24T13:16:00.000-07:00

In our previous articles we have talked about extinct as well as other endangered species of pigeons on the planet. From extinct passenger pigeons to endangered crested pigeons. However, there are those certain species that happen to be truly even more extinct and we ought to talk about them.

One of the most endangered species of pigeons in the planet is the pink pigeons. They have been dubbed and enlisted as one of the endangered species on January 12, 1995 because of their noticeably dwindling species population. Pink pigeons are the largest known species of pigeon birds in the planet up to now. However, with their rescinding numbers, these large species of pigeon birds will soon be out of the picture and another pigeon bird species will soon assume the throne of being the largest pigeon species. The scientific name of pink pigeon is Columba mayeri; other names and subspecies would include: Nesoenas mayeri, Streptopelia mayeri and naturally belongs to the animal group of birds.

The thing about pink pigeons is that they are often found prevalent in certain areas, but are minimal in a particular location - the Indian Ocean (Mauritius). But still, the accumulative number of species of pink pigeons still count as below viable population and therefore are still considered endangered.

More About Pink Pigeons

The pink pigeon species are actually very rare species of pigeons that are endemically found in the island of Mauritius in the Indian Ocean. These species of pigeons are actually considered to be the largest species of pigeons and dove species on the planet. It is said that an adult pink pigeon can reach an entire body span of 12.6 inches in length measuring from beak to tail feathers. They could also weigh in as much as 12 ounces. The reason why this species of birds are called pink pigeons are pretty much obvious. They have light pink colored feathers. They also have brown wings, as well as dark pink bills, legs and feet. Pink pigeon's tail is colored brown and their eyes as well. But their eyes are surrounded with a red skin ring. However, they have come to be so rare that they have been considered to be almost extinct.

Normally, this type of birds would prefer inhabiting upland areas of evergreen rainforests but they are not that prevalent. They are seen feeding and even roosting in minute flocks in some trees and often they are really that difficult to detect because of their small numbers. In a given area of upland forest, there could only be a maximum of 2-3 pink pigeons in those area and sometimes they are not seen at all. Their diet is comprised of small insects, flowers, some fruits, buds and as well as seeds of some exotic plants and vegetation in the area. when these pigeons mate, they group themselves into two, a pair of female and male where they then build their nests and thrive to protect their newly borne territories. A female pink pigeon would average giving birth to one or two eggs per sitting. It would take them 12-14 days to fully incubate their eggs until it hatches. Typically, pink pigeons take turns in incubating their eggs. The female of this species would incubate their eggs at night while their males would incubate the eggs during daytime.

It is believed that there are only about 20 of these birds that thrive in the wild and the rest of about 200 are bred in captivity in order to preserve the species until they reach a viable population. Only by then they will be set free to roam the earth once more. The dangers to their existence are not only consisting of human beings, but as well as their natural predators such as cats and hawks. Diseases are also among the primary threats of the species. In 1963, the Jersey wildlife preservation park has been established to serve as home to this endangered species of pigeons and also serves as an aid to their dwindling existence.

At present, pink pigeons are still endangered and they are even more threatened by the unprecedented influx of poachers that seek them. The remaining 20 pink pigeons in the wild could have possibly diminished in number over time. The legislation and promulgation, as well as the implementation of the laws that restrict the hunting of this pigeon species are not as effective as they should be considering that it would be quite difficult to enforce the law in some unchartered wild areas. Considering as well, that there are still people who take less heed on these legal restrictions, the species may very well be in danger still to this day. Sooner or later, if the attempts to preserve the pink pigeons would fail, they would most likely become like their former relatives, the passenger pigeons whom have gone extinct in the 1900's.

Passenger pigeons are actually extinct species of pigeons. They were once very prevalent in the American areas and they apparently outnumber any bird species population in the area before. However, due to massive hunting for their meat, they have gradually diminished and finally been wiped out from the face of the earth. The last of this species was last seen in the early 1900's in captivity. Due to old age, the bird died out of natural causes.

The pink pigeons are about to face the brink of extinction as well any time soon if we are not that careful in our means to control certain species of animals. We have to make it a point that we would always conform to the specific laws that deal with the preservation of pigeon species on earth so as not to accidentally cause the destruction of their species. We have to understand that despite our dominion and power over everything else as humans, we still have that sublime responsibility to protect them from sheer obliteration. We have to understand that we will still be the one who will suffer the consequences of our wrong actions.

Different Breeds of Common Pigeons

2011-08-24T12:29:00.000-07:00

There are many different species of pigeons in this world and some of them we may not even know of. Most of them are already explored and existent and only a very few of them happen to be extinct or endangered. Pigeons are perhaps one of the most prevalent creatures on earth and they belong to the family of birds which is one of the reasons why they thrive throughout time in longevity and are hard to perish; as birds can freely fly in the air becoming less prone to the dangers that beset the grounds. However, there are times when a lot of them are hunted down. This is the reason why one species of pigeons became extinct: the passenger pigeons. Passenger pigeons were hunted down for their meat and hunted down massively; an entire area of passenger pigeons could be wiped out in just one hunting season. Eventually, their species dwindled in numbers until it reached a point that they no longer have a viable population, and its last remnant perished sometime around early 1900's. This kind of thing could happen to all other species of pigeons that live today, especially those that are already enlisted as extinct species.

No pigeon or any other bird species on the planet is safe from human greed. As long as humans will continue to have purpose for some things they find useful, like pigeons for meat, they will always continue to hunt down the poor species. Fortunately, the legislation of bird protection laws came to be and have now implemented certain rules and regulations in the prevalence of hunting down pigeon meat as well as other bird meats. Species protection protocols are now at hand and multitude of pigeons are now well safeguarded from the clutches of poaching. However, there are still instances that these rules prove to be insufficient as there are still those that find their way around the enforcements of the law. As a result, they continue to kill rampantly endangering more species of pigeon on earth. It is now your burden as an individual person to stop this kind of things from happening. You, as a human being have the moral obligation to protect the many different species of pigeons from sheer destruction by your own kind. Oftentimes, you yourself are held responsible for the deaths of a few of them by your own unintentional ways, such as your approaches to pigeon control methods. Sometimes, there are setbacks to these methods that lead to the utter harm of these pigeons and even you kill some of them unintentionally.

Pigeons may have to be controlled as they often become pests by their sheer numbers, but they don't deserve to be killed by the methods and devices we use to control them. They only have to be relocated to their proper habitat at most as their sanction for infringing human territories and never to die in any way deliberate at all.

One way to do about protecting and safeguarding the pigeon species in the planet is to know more about them and getting to know the different species that you get to encounter most of the time.

Here are some of the most common types of pigeons human usually encounter:

Columba Oenas (Stock Dove)

Stock doves are endemic species of pigeons in U.S. and may look pretty much alike their relatives the wood pigeons. However, there are certain highly distinguishable traits that would enable us to identify them from the latter. Traits such as their relatively smaller sizes and the absence of white areas in the wings and in the necks make them different from wood pigeons. However, their size is somewhat the same to another family of pigeons called the Rock Doves apart from the brown pale rump and semi-bold wing bars which are not found in Stock Doves. Their plumage is somewhat grey and somehow paler underneath. A ruddy tinge on its breast area it also has a purples sheen on the neck. There are also two identical bars short at the base of its wings that also happens to have black border on its upper part and as well as to its tail. The bill of a stock dove is yellowish but turns red to the base. Their feet are colored deep pink.

This species of pigeons are not that dominant and prevalent compared to the wood pigeons and they are fairly populated in certain habitats which are absent at the far north areas. Their species is often overlooked along with other pigeons. This species is not that much of a pest to humans compared to a wood pigeon can be. Its main diet is on weed seeds.

Columbia Livia (Rock Dove/Feral Pigeons)

Did you know that Rock doves are actually being kept as food and is quite popular during the middle ages? They are also resident to European territory. But a lot of them are able to escape from the devecotes and thus their descendants of feral pigeons commonly found in city squares, streets and sometimes in railways stations. The feral pigeons we now see today can actually be still interbred with rock doves at present. The rock doves are actually considered as the wild forebear of a modern "domestic or homing" pigeon. This would include other species of pigeons of the same family such as fantails, black and whites, tumblers, chequers and racers.

The true or pure rock doves can now be only found in rocky appendices and cliffs of northern Scotland and Ireland. The rock doves that you see on inland cliffs are actually derived breeds and are domesticated which also eventually became wild or feral. They make noticeably untidy or gruel nests in the cliffs and caves and they lay eggs in intervals throughout the entire year.

There are still other species that are not yet mentioned in this article. They will however be discussed in a follow up article after this. The other species are less common though, but they are still worth recognizing.

Caring for African Owl Pigeons (Part II)

2011-08-24T12:13:00.000-07:00

Find the time to read the first instalment of this article so that you will get the overall learning experience that it brings. This article is meant to complement the first two tips outlines in its first part. But you also start with this part and simply proceed to the other later.

3. Be Ready to Hand-feed

Part one of this article has already discussed about the "feeders" or the foster bird parents which are supposed to raise the pigeons until they are capable of eating on their own. However, it should be noted that at some points the young birds have to be hand-fed (some circumstances will make this the only option in order to save the bird). Thus, it can be said that a real pigeon owner should somehow know hand feeding. Moreover, hand feeding is one of the most effective ways to make the birds tame and acknowledge their owner. This is extremely important because it increases the bird's sensitivity to its owners command (this makes training way easier). Majority of the most successful African Owl breeders/racers say that they owe their success to the time and effort that they have spent in feeding their birds by hand.

Thus, if you plan to be a successful breeder yourself, then you should learn how to do this too. Fine, you can keep feeders, but you should allocate at least 7 to 10 days of the entire development stage of the bird to feed them on your own. If you have a lot of birds, you can feed them on a schedule, this way, you will be able to cover all your birds while still giving them enough time to be fed by the feeders which are really good providers. Since there is a chance that you will not be feeding them enough if you do the feeding on your own alone, it is very wise that you feed your birds alongside your feeders.

Methods of Hand Feeding

Of course, pigeon owners have also devised their own ways of feeding their birds by hand. But, the most popular ones involve the use of a ketchup squeezing bottle. This particular container has been widely used because of its long nozzle which makes the feeding easier. The food mix is placed inside the bottle and then it is simply squeeze to squirt out the food into the chick's little beaks. Baby pigeons learn very fast and after two to three feedings, they will already suck the nozzle on their own once you draw the bottle near to them. This is better because when you control the amount of food that gets into their mouth, you might end up giving them more that they need and thus you might even choke them in the process. If they suck the nozzle on their own, they get to decide for themselves if they still want more food or if they already have enough.

However, ketchup bottle feeding is not advisable if you are feeding very small baby pigeons. The bottle is best used when you are dealing with 10-day old chicks or older. For younger ones, you can try using syringe so that you don't choke the chicks with the size of the nozzle that you have to slip into their beaks. At this stage, the chicks should not be given anything more than 20 cc's of food mix. When they about 10 days old, you may start giving them 20 to 30 cc's of food and gradually increase this amount until they reach their 20th day (it can reach up to 60 cc's). At this stage, the birds will be able to feed on their own, so all that you would have to do is to food enough food inside their feeding plate and you can let them do the rest.

Don't be surprised, but there really is baby bird food available in the market. So, you do not really have to make these mixes on your own. The most popular baby bird food is called "Kaytee Exact". This baby food was originally developed to nourish young parrots but eventually, pigeon owners started to use it and after a couple of years it became a staple baby pigeon food. It is very easy to prepare; all that you need to do is to mix it with lukewarm water and mix it up until its consistency becomes soupy. Of course, you can use other baby bird food brands, one of which is from "Roudybush". You can also do your research and look for other options, just make sure that the nutrition value of the baby food that you will choose is high and it contains the nutrients that a baby African Owl pigeon needs. But, if you have enough time to make your own feeds, you can also try grounding turkey meat and use it as to feed your birds. This is actually a cheaper option but it would take away a portion of your time. Moreover, turkey meat can't be introduced to the birds using the syringe so you will be limited to using it to older birds. Well, the choice is really completely up to you. You can also join forums and read blogs on baby pigeon feeding in order to improve your skills and increase your knowledge about it.

4. Warm and Dry

Don't forget that African Owls like the habituate dry areas and they also love the sun. This particular breed tends to become sickly when they do not get enough sunshine or they you make them live in a wet environment. There have been cases when they caught respiratory illnesses just because their loft is not dry enough. If you are not careful, you might just end up killing your entire stock (that is such a waste in terms of money, time and energy). This scenario should be avoided and the best way to do so is to give the owls exactly what they look for is an environment.

Caring For African Owl Pigeons (Part I)

2011-08-24T12:02:00.000-07:00

It is said that the most difficult pigeon breed to raise is the African Owl; nonetheless, these birds have long been kept by different owners all around the world as pets -- most of these learned how to care for them via hand-on experience. But this should not scare you. Now that the internet is very much widely used, information on caring for these birds has also become available. No longer are aspiring African Owl pet owners required to go through the "ignorant" days when it comes to pigeon-keeping. Today, anyone can just go online and make a research himself/herself about the birds and end up like a pigeon expert himself/herself!

This particular article, for example, is one of those materials that a would-be owner can read (even those who have been taking care of pigeons for some time can also learn something new from this). The caring techniques outlined below are hinged on the concept of manipulating the innate characteristics of the pigeons to aid the breeding program of the birds and at the same time, keep them comfortable during the entire time that they have to be kept in lofts and in pigeon boxes. Since African Owl requires more attention than most pigeons, it is normal for first-time pigeon keepers to cringe about the idea of having these birds as their first pigeon pets. But, if you are really after having a bird that is tame, docile and very attracted, then by all means pursue the African owls and read the simple tips below to prepare yourself for the responsibility.

1. Get the Best Stock

You might have started to become interested in pigeons after you learned that these birds are involved in a kind of "sports". Well, this can be understood because pigeon racing has indeed become so popular these days; it is that popular that there is even a very fat chance that you want keep pigeons for this purpose too. That's alright through, for as long as you take care of the birds properly and treats them humanely. Now if this is your intention, make sure that you get your birds from a participant in the races that owns pigeons that are consistently winning. This is important because in pigeon racing, the overall health of the birds can greatly affect their performance (the same with humans and horses, actually). Thus, if there is an owner who is able to get multiple wins during different periods, you can also assume that he/she keeps very healthy pigeons. This also means that the pigeons that he/she owns have a good bloodline and this can be seen in the performance of the bird, as well as in its appearance.

Of course, we all know that racing skills are not hereditary. But when you choose young birds from a good pigeon family, you can be almost very sure that you will have no problems when it comes to the immune system of the birds, as well as their susceptibility to various diseases (which is actually hereditary). However, you have to realize too that the genes of the African Owls are quite recessive; getting stock from a good bloodline is not a 100% guarantee that you will get good adult birds in the future, but it is still better than just randomly picking any birds.

2. Good Feeder Birds

African Owls do not thrive well in the wild because of their physical characteristics. You see, these birds have very short beaks. Thus, a mother African owl will definitely have a hard time feeding its own chicks. In most cases, when these birds are in the wild, one or more of their chicks will die because of malnutrition. When they are domesticated, owners somehow shoulder the responsibility of making sure that all the chicks survive. Some owners feed the chicks on their own but this is actually a very painstaking task, especially if the owner keeps a lot of birds. The best possible approach is to get "foster" bird parents. These birds are made to assume that they are feeding their own chicks. It is the responsibility of the owner to find a really good foster parent for the birds so that they get all the food that they need.

The switching of the birds happens immediately after the eggs are hatched. The eggs are placed in an incubator until they are fully developed and then they are left for the care of the foster bird parents. They birds are known as the "feeders". If you are a serious breeder, then this is the option that you should be taking. All the other options have been proven to have loopholes.

Many pigeon owners prefer to assign one foster parent to each African Owl chick. Since African Owls normally lay two eggs, it is also important that the owners keep at least two foster parents for each pair of African Owl he/she owns. This is the surest way to keep each chick well fed during the development period, something which is very important if you are training these birds to become future racers. Examples of good feeders are the Flying Flights and the Racing Homers. These birds can take on big jobs and are normally very passionate about their young. They are not very particular with the appearance of the youngster too (some birds can easily identify chicks that do not belong to their breed). You can also explore your other options and try other feeders because these two common ones are quite expensive. However, you should know that many birds are incapable of caring for the African Owls and during your "experiment" period, you might end up having some casualties. But the choice is complete up to you.

Important

These two tips do not sum up everything that you need to know about these birds; look for the second instalment of this article down in the archive section below. Do not forget that you need to know as many things about African Owls pigeons in order to prepare yourself for your future ownership of such birds.

Having Pigeons as Pets: A Pet Pigeon Guide

2011-08-24T11:49:00.000-07:00

It has been a stereotype to most people that pigeons are common, odorous and pestering birds that bring about nothing but nuisance to a household where it roosts. They are considered as such because of the prevalent occurrence in the continent of America wherein almost all establishments are perched or roosted by these bird species. While this can be true about pigeons, it is however, wrong to generalize that all pigeons are like that. The thing is, there are actually a lot of wonderful characteristics that pigeons possess that are not found in any other species of birds. Those that recognize and appreciate these pigeon characteristics are most likely to domesticate one in their homes and turn them into house pets. Pigeons have great homing instincts and are often way even better than the homing instincts of a dog making them way even better pets than man's best friend. Due to this unique characteristic, turning pigeons into pets has become an increasing trend of the present times' pet mania.

While it is true that having pigeons as pets is a great and excellent idea, there are things that you would have to consider first when taking care of them. These are the rules and regulations that deal with the appropriate handling of the species and the guidelines on how to keep them. These considerations go hand in hand to ensure the safety and survival of bird pigeons once domesticated and if you happen to be an owner or soon to be an owner of a pet pigeon, you would have to know all this stuff. Nevertheless, taking care of one would prove to be simply straightforward eventually as long as you make it a point to follow the ramifications that will be mentioned below. The difficulty of the tasks enlisted in this article is just moderate and you need not have to consider rocket science to make an effective implementation out of it.

Here are the steps on how to properly care for your pet pigeon:

1. Have a place for them to live in

A dwelling place for any creature feral or domestic is a crucial basic need. If you have a pet pigeon at home, you can't just let it flutter on the ceiling and across the room can you? You have to make sure that it has a place to live in where it can peacefully rest and feed for the entire time it is under your custody. You can either build or buy a pigeon dwelling place or loft. One you have built them one, your pet pigeons will then eventually grow to consider the loft as their natural home which is where they will transfix their homing instincts with. By then, no matter wherever your pigeons may fly to it will always know its way back to you. Building a loft may take some time and a handful of considerations as well, such as proper ventilation, dryness and sunlight. But once it is done you can be assured that your pet pigeons are in a very comfortable place. However, if you are the kind of person who doesn't want to get his or her hands dirty, purchasing pigeon coops may just be the right thing for you. You can readily buy coops in your nearest pet shop and they will always come with instructions on how to construct them. You can also add up extra perks on the coops to make your birds feel more comfortable living in it. The rest of the embellishments will be completely up to you. However, if you happen to have other domestic pets like cats or dogs, you have to really make sure that the coops are far from the reach of your other pets. You don't want to wake up and find out your pet pigeons have already become your dogs breakfast.

2. Maintain diet

Another important consideration when keeping pigeons as pets is to make sure that they are fed on regular basis. Pigeons are sometimes fragile creatures and would immediately feel week if they are not fed properly. That's why you have to make sure that they are well fed every time. A weakened starving pigeon could also pose the risk of contracting or developing diseases. A pigeon's diet isn't really much so you don't have to worry about any possible extravagant expenses. Their diet is mainly based on crop and grain vegetations like rice, barley, popcorn and peas and surprisingly, all of this stuff can be readily found in your nearest market area. Don't take for granted your pets though by simply feeding them with human food leftovers. There are certain types of human food that are indigestible to birds and you have to be aware of this.

3. Water

Of course along with food, is water. You have to make sure that they can conveniently access water whenever they would need it. Make it a point to place the water in containers that are readily accessible to your pets. Don't place them in locations wherein your pet pigeons would have to struggle first before it can ever drink water. Also, you have to ensure that the water will not stagnate for a long time as it can also lead to the moisture and dampness to the loft's environment making the area non-conducive for pigeon habitation. You also have to make it a point that the water is changed from time to time so that your pigeons will not have to drink dirty water.

4. Don't Restrict them Forever

If you restrict a pigeon forever, it may never learn to sustain itself and they could potentially die out of isolation and seclusion. Believe it or not, pigeons are social animals and they like to interact with their fellow species. So, take an initiative to allow your pet pigeons to fly and feel free every once in a while instead of confining them inside the cage or loft the entire time. But only do this when your birds have already developed a sense of homing instinct so that they will always find their way back to you. You will know this if your bird has reached a certain level of comfortableness being domesticated by you.

Keeping Pigeons

2011-08-24T11:38:00.000-07:00

There are a lot of things one would have to know about pigeons apart from considering them stinking pests; we all do know they are definitely more than just that. Pigeons are wonderful creatures and they have been the oldest known domesticated birds to mankind. They have served humanity in many different occasions and a variety of purposes and even helped to win a war. Most of the pigeons that we see every day aren't truly domesticated and we often call them feral or "wild". Sometimes, they are also called rock doves. You may be able to know the difference between a feral and a domesticated pigeon by the bands present in their legs. Apart from the domesticated and feral breeds of pigeons, there are also pigeons for exhibition. Exhibition pigeon breeds often have audaciously brilliant and unique characteristics that make them easily distinguishable above all other pigeon species. Sometimes they also manifest odd flying behaviors. This type of pigeons is often rarely found and even endangered. Because of their brilliant appearances they are always sought by many well-off individuals. This is also the very reason that the species of their kind have become mostly endangered as since they are already rare, they are also being hunted down for domestication. An example to this type of pigeons is the crowned victory pigeon which has always been wanted by many rich people for exhibition purposes. Having one of these rare pigeons is indeed of considerable value and would also serve as status recognition.

Some pigeon breeds are also kept for sports, particularly on flight racing competitions; thus the sport pigeon racing. A lot of people nowadays are inclined to this sport and they have fostered many different species of pigeons that are well adaptable to this kind of activity. They are usually well attended as they would always make it a point to capitalize on the pigeon's health to ensure optimum performance during competitions.

A regular lifespan of a pigeon would range 10-15 years. They are perhaps one of the longest living birds in the planet. The oldest known pigeon is about 19 years old. Pigeons and doves are relatives and that they belong to the family of Columbidae.

How to Select and Buy Pigeons

Most of the pigeons being domesticated by humans are not actually bought from pet shops as they are usually caught during hunts. Though, there are many ways to acquire a pigeon apart from that. Sometimes, they are sold on pet shops as well, but usually those that are sold in this sort of establishments are not good for exhibition purpose. If you wish to purchase an exhibition quality pigeon, you would have to go to bird and or pigeon exhibition shows. There you would be able to find the best quality, even sometimes the rarest species of pigeons. However, you have to understand that the price of these pigeons is often skyrocketing, and you're lucky to even find one that isn't auctioned. But most full pledged pigeon breeders would take the risk of purchasing these high end pigeon species. You will also likely find information about sold pigeons on the internet. Online pet auctions are often viable sources of pet pigeons.

For starters, a beginner pigeon buyer would have to search for reputable sources and not settle for substandard markets where usually sellers are anonymous. Also when selecting which pigeon to purchase, make sure to go through the sorting the process of breed or gender identification. Knowing the breed and the gender of the pigeon would definitely aid the quality of the purchase. Also, one would have to make it a point that they buy those that are robust for they assure you of a healthy physical condition of the pigeon. When purchasing many pigeons at a time, a flock perhaps, you have to make sure that the males don't outnumber the females as this could cause fights between pigeons during mating and for territories as well.

Sometimes, local animal shelters avail of pigeons for adoption. Typically, animal shelters that allow adoption would also be send packages inclusive of free supplies. But that's not always the case though.

If you have purposes of breeding your own flock of pigeons, you have to make sure that you purchase young pigeons rather than old ones. Often, older pigeons have already turned sterile or incapacitated to breed anymore. It would be a wise choice to purchase a pigeon within the age bracket of 3-6 years old. Although, purchasing older pigeons would be okay if you're only having them exhibition purposes. The same thing applies with purchasing racing pigeons, you would also have to make sure that they are still young enough to face the physical challenges of the sport.

Feeding and Care

Often commercial pet pigeon food is difficult or tricky to find but it is available. Sometimes, pigeon clubs also sells pigeon feeds for breeders or they could also be found in livestock and poultry feed stores. It completely depends. Usually the feeds are a compound of grains and pellets. Sometimes, it could just be one over the other. One would also have to understand that when grains are used to fed grit should always provided in order aid the digestion process.

If pigeon happens to be unavailable, you may also opt to have chicken feed instead, but only for adult pigeons. Young pigeons may have indigestion if they take in chicken scratches as meal.

Some pigeon breeders would find it necessary to only feed their pet pigeons only once in a day and some would also find it appropriate to feed their pets twice. The feeder container should always be in a condition wherein the pigeons are restricted from messing up their food. Also, clean water is a very important factor to a pigeon's diet as they do need water more than half the time. Also, one of the usual factors as to why pigeons are able to contract diseases is due to unclean to water.

Special Pigeon Recipes

2011-08-23T04:34:00.000-07:00

Many famous restaurants in Europe and in the United States have been serving pigeon meat for some time now. Some of these recipes have even made it big and got published in various cookbooks authored by the finest chefs in the world. Many of these meals are somehow expensive and not so many people would want to spend money on them. But if you are curious how pigeon meats scores against other meats we commonly cook in the kitchen, try the following recipes and know for yourself.

Pigeon Squab in Mango Sauce (served with Watercress Salad)

Check the laws in your locality allow you to butcher young pigeons or squabs. Some states would penalize anyone who would harm helpless pigeons so you better validate if you are not restricted to do so in order to avoid getting into trouble. This particular recipe needs the following ingredients:

4 pigeon squabs (cleaned and roasted)
1 cup red wine
1/2 tbsp. minced ginger
1 tbsp. minced garlic
1/2 tbsp. mustard (dry)
1/2 tbsp. juniper Berries
2 medium-sized limes (juice only)
2 tbsp. canola oil
1 tbsp. sugar
1 stalk celery
1 whole onion chopped
1 medium-sized carrot (chopped)
1/2 tbsps. black peppercorns
1 cup mango puree
1 tbsp. soy sauce
3 tbsp. butter
Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Directions

1. Chop the pigeon squabs and use the breast and leg portions only. Mix ginger, garlic, wine, juniper berries and oil in a bowl to make the marinade. Soak the meat in the marinade for 4 hours.

2. Brush butter in a skillet pan and fast fry the marinated meat for 3 to 4 minutes on each side. Pigeon squab meat is better tasting when eaten rare.

3. To prepare the watercress salads simply mix the lime juice, sugar and oil in a bowl. Toss in all the nuts and the vegetables left and season to taste.

4. To complete the recipe, serve with mango sauce. To make the sauce, just mix thyme, ginger, soy sauce, and pepper in a bowl. Add the mango puree and continue mixing until the mixture will have a uniform consistency; this sauce should be kept warm to complement the squab meat.

5. This recipe is best served when properly presented. It will look very appetizing when it is served in a white plate. Crossed squab legs would appear really fancy when garnished with nuts with the salad on the side.

Pigeon Pie

This recipe is an all-time favourite. Kids and adults alike love this, making it ideal for family occasions. To make the pie, you will need the following ingredients:

4 pigeon squabs (peeled)
2 large eggs (hard-boiled and chopped)
1 cup fresh milk
3 tbsp. all-purpose flour
12 mushrooms (do not use canned mushrooms if possible)
1/4 tbsp. paprika
1/2 tbsp. celery salt
3/4 tbsp. pepper
1/2 tbsp. salt

Cooking Directions

1. Remove the giblets from the squabs before peeling off the skin. Combine the chopped squabs with paprika and celery salt. Add water into the mix and simmer for an hour or until the meat becomes tender. The giblets should be added back into the pan and cook for another 20 minutes

2. Separate the meat and the giblets from the broth. Set aside at least 2 cups of the broth. Remove the bones from the meat and chop the meat finely. Place the chopped pigeon meat into a 2-quart casserole (do not forget to grease the casserole before doing so). Add the giblets on top of the meat followed by a layer of mushrooms and then the eggs. Season the pie with pepper before setting aside.

3. Now combine milk and flour in a small bowl. Stir the mixture until it becomes smooth. Add the broth that you have set aside and continue stirring until the mixture becomes thick and bubbly. Add salt and pepper to taste and then pour this mixture into the casserole.

4. To prepare the pastry, all that you need to do is to roll out your dough to a thickness of about 1 inch. Make sure that about half an inch of the dough exceeds the size of the casserole's mouth. Press the edges into the side of the casserole to seal the pie.

5. Finally, bake the pie into an oven for 25 minutes. The over should be pre-heated to 400 degrees Celsius. As a general guide, the pie is cooked if the pastry turns brown.

Additional Information

If it is illegal to kill little pigeons in your state, you may use adult pigeon meat; the two meats basically differ in tenderness but they task almost the same. Just remember that when you are using adult pigeons, you have to keep watch of the various diseases that infect adult birds. Look for a trusted pigeon meat dealer to be sure that you are getting good quality meat. If you hunt pigeons on your own, take the time to examine the birds before dressing them. Look at the eyes of the pigeons as well as its feathers. Sick pigeons would have loose feathers and swollen eyes. If you are not confident, solicit for advises from friends. But if you do not want to go through all these hassles, you can simply go to a good restaurant and order a serving of one of their popular pigeon recipes. That would be way better than preparing the meat and cooking the entire meal.

Moreover, you have to be extra careful with the kind of pigeon that you cook or eat. Some hunters do have been reported to shoot pigeons which are not considered as pests in the city. You have to realize that most states allowed pigeon hunting simply because it is one of the surest ways to reduce the population of the pigeons in their respective areas of jurisdiction. This means that it does not cover harming birds whose population do not need to be controlled. Before hunting pigeons, familiarize yourself with pigeon species which you are allowed to kill in order to avoid any complications.

Diseases Commonly Suffered by Pigeons (Part II)

2011-08-23T04:27:00.000-07:00

Four pigeon diseases have already been discussed in the first instalment of this series of article on the diseases the make pigeons suffer. If you have not read the first instalment yet, check out the article archive at the bottom of this page. In this particular article, we will talk about five other diseases namely: Paratyphoid Salmonellosis, Pigeon Pox, PMV-Paramyxovirus, Adeno Virus and Circo Virus. Most of these diseases are simply named after the kind of virus or bacteria that cause them. Let's start:

1. Paratyphoid-Salmonellosis

Like most pigeon diseases, this one is also caused by a flagellated gram-negative bacterium which is very mobile. The bacterium can float in air and live in water thus it can be transmitted in many different ways. In most cases, this disease is spread through one infected pigeon which has been mixed with the healthy pigeons in a single loft. Thus, it is very important for pigeon keepers to make sure that they screen new birds properly or else, the health of the entire flock would be compromised. Apart from infected pigeons, rodents and cockroaches can also spread the bacterium. It is best if you keep their food and water away from any possible contact with these carrier pests. As much as possible maintain the cleanliness of the loft to avoid the spread of the bacterium in the air. It is also better if you choose younger birds when adding new pigeons to your flock since only adult pigeons carry this bacterium.

An infected bird can be identified through its droppings. The bird's bowel movement will suffer and its droppings would come out wet and slimy. The droppings will also appear green. Because of this, the bird will lose appetite and at the same time, lose weight. Some birds have symptoms which can be as severe as having "twisted necks". In the rare cases when young pigeons become infected with this disease, they would show signs of having difficulty in breathing. In worst cases, young pigeons even die inside the eggs even before they hatch.

To treat this disease, veterinarians use Nolvasan which is a disinfectant. They incorporate this drug to Improver products and introduce the "drug" to the infected birds in a regular schedule. A teaspoon of the disinfectant should be mixed with a gallon of water and the bird will only be given nothing else by treated water and Improver. This method of treatment has been proven to work very effectively.

2. Pigeon Pox

The virus that causes this disease is carried by mosquitoes. Pigeons can be vaccinated to resist this virus but unprotected birds are very much susceptible to it. The virus enters the bird's body through its bloodstream and then in a matter of 5 to 7 days, the bird will start to have wart-like lesions all over its body. The lesions contain puss that is yellowish in color; when pricked, the puss with ooze out along with their blood. This disease is not fatal and the lesions just dry off after sometime. Thus, it is better if the infected birds are simply left alone so that they can heal on their own and not cause any troubles to the other birds in the loft. In order to prevent this disease, the birds need to be vaccinated. However, the vaccine is only 75% reliable so there is a chance that treated birds will still catch the disease. To be sure, the lofts should be kept mosquito free.

3. PMV-Paramyxovirus

Classified as a viral infection, this disease is also known as the PMV-1. It is very common amongst racing pigeons and is very contagious. Infected pigeons can spread the virus that causes this disease both directly and indirectly; sick birds can make the other birds in the loft sick by normal body contact and they can also infect them with the disease through the food that they eat. A bird with PMV-1 will have watery droppings and would lose any desire to eat. This condition can lead to severe weight loss and at the same time it can also make the bird's feathers to fall. In some cases, infected birds will experience paralysis of the legs and of the wings. Some birds would have "twisted necks" which normally lead to death. In order to prevent PMV-1, pigeon owners are advised to submit their birds for vaccination. The most popular vaccine in the United States in in some regions in the Europe the most popular vaccine is called Lasota.

4. Adeno Virus

The disease which results from Adeno virus infection is also called "Adeno Virus"; many other pigeon diseases are named after the kind of viruses that cause them. This particular disease infects birds with weak immune systems. It is subdivided into two types; type 1 Adeno Virus can make the birds vomit and suffer from diarrhea, this type is not fatal; type 2 Adeno Virus is more dangerous because it infect the bird's liver which can lead to death within 2 days after the contraction of the virus. Unfortunately, no vaccine that can best protect birds from the Adeno Virus has been developed yet. Thus, the best way to protect the birds is to keep them healthy by giving them the right food and supplements which can improve their immune systems.

5. Circo Virus

Just like the Adeno Virus, this disease is also named after the kind of virus that causes it. However, this disease affects the birds in a very different way. Circo virus weakens the immune system of infected birds; it affects the birds in the same way that HIV-AIDS affect humans. When the birds have contracted this virus, it then becomes susceptible to many other diseases, most especially those disease that attack birds with weak immune systems like the Adeno Virus. An infected bird will have a dry beak and would have very watery excretions which would appear yellowish. Unfortunately, it is not easy to identify an infected bird while the disease is still in the early stages, thus in most cases, the disease is also brought into attention when it is already in the advanced stage which makes the treatment difficult.

Diseases Commonly Suffered by Pigeons (Part I)

2011-08-23T04:21:00.000-07:00

When the words "diseases" and "pigeons" are used in a single sentence, we often only concern ourselves with how these two words interplay in the human health. Seldom do we think about the diseases that pigeons suffer from since most of the time we worry about the diseases that we catch because of these birds. This article is all about the illnesses and diseases that have contributed to massive pigeon casualties every year. The diseases which will be discussed in this article are Canker, Coccidiosis, Collibacillosis and One-eyed Colds. For the other diseases please refer to my other posts (you can find these articles in the archive section below).

1. Trichomoniasis Canker

Canker is considered to be the most common disease that pigeons suffer from. Most birds get infected by this disease by drinking unsafe water which may contain dangerous microscopic protozoans. Although this disease is not very harmful to the actual sufferer, the bird casualties associated to this disease is due to the fact that sick birds cannot effectively feed their young. Thus, many squabs (young pigeons) die each year because of the inability of the parents to rear them.

An infected bird is easy to spot because of their changed behaviour as well as the physical signs which the birds might show. You can tell that a pigeon has Canker if it becomes lethargic, staying only on one place without moving or without doing other activities. Examples of physical changes, the most obvious are: loss weight, diarrhoea and ugly, ruffled feathers. Although this disease has no record to being transferred to humans, it is still wise if you know how to prevent it. For pigeons, you can use anti-fungal products to control the stress that they would feel after ingesting the dangerous protozoans that cause the disease. Of course since it is impossible to make sure that the birds will only drink from clean water sources, the best that you can do is to secure the birds themselves by monitoring and controlling the feeds that you give them (this is especially true if you allow your birds to roam around). There are anti-canker products which you can use too. These products/drugs are better because they really target the problem.

2. Coccidiosis

Just like Canker, this one is also caused by microorganisms that live inside the intestines of birds. Coccidiosis is not as common in pigeons as it is in some other birds but many pigeons in the city are still found out to have this kind of disease. Fortunately, only young pigeons are susceptible to this disease because adult pigeons have somehow developed a kind of immunity to it. Nevertheless, young pigeons which are subjected to stress caused by different circumstances can die because of this disease. Coccidiosis kills the little birds by taking away their appetite to eat or drink. The birds would become lethargic and would prefer sleep over other activities. After sometime, the birds will lose so much weight and energy that its body will collapse. Birds infected with this disease can be identified through their droppings. When they have Coccidiosis, their droppings will look green and would come out watery.

Anti-fungal products are enough to prevent Coccidiosis. If you are keeping pigeons, you might as well improve the cleanliness of their lofts. As much as possible, make sure that the feeds and the droppings will make no contact. The water that you give your birds should also be cleaned and sanitized. If you are adding a new pigeon to your flock, take the time to isolate the new birds first and see if it is a carrier of some disease, most especially Coccidiosis.

3. Collibacillosis

This disease is more commonly called as E. coli and it is somehow prevalent among pigeons. Most pigeons catch this disease through dust particles mixed with airborne E.coli bacteria. The bacteria come from their droppings or from the droppings of rodents. This disease is quite difficult to control once one of the birds catches it because almost immediately, the E. coli in its droppings will become airborne too and infect the other birds in the loft. Thus, the best way to deal with this disease is to prevent it from happening. The best way to do so is to keep the lofts clean and sanitary. Do not allow rodents to find where you keep your bird feeds because they might infect the feeds and leave behind dropping which carry E. coli. You can also monitor the ammonia level in the loft to be extra sure. Birds infected with E. coli can be identified through their droppings too. The droppings would be loose, greenish and is sticky. The birds would also lose weight because of fast bowel movement and they would develop respiratory problems.

When a bird is found out to have E. coli, it is best if it is given proper shots of antibiotic, over-the-counter antibiotics will do. If this does not help, you can resort to higher dosages of antibiotic; just consult with a veterinarian to know which antibiotic to choose. If you medicate you bird without a professional advice, you might end up hurting the bird even more since wrong antibiotics can damage the bird's micro flora.

4. One-Eye Colds

Just like what the name suggests the birds with this disease can be identified through their eyes. Both eyes would become watery and to some extent one would be completely shut because of the infection. The eye can swell up and continue to water until the lids can't separate anymore. This disease is often caused by a simply physical injury in the eye. Because of the way the injury evolves into an infection, many people often confuse One-eye colds with mycoplasmosis (another pigeon disease with the same onset symptoms). To keep injured birds safe from this infection, you have to make sure that your cages or lofts are not overcrowded with birds. Overcrowding can compromise the cleanliness of the lofts which can lead to having airborne pathogens of different kinds of diseases and infections.

Electronic Devices Used for Pigeon Protection

2011-08-23T04:11:00.000-07:00

While we are most familiar with pigeon netting and spikes when it comes to pigeon control, electronic devices are also slowly making it big in this industry. Many people do not trust electronic products as much as they trust the two common control methods but it is almost certain that in a few years, these products will eventually replace them. Here are some of these products:

1. "BirdXPeller PRO Bird Repeller"

This is a sonic repeller that emits sounds which birds like pigeons find irritating. This particular device can cover an area of about half an acre in radius. Birds would consider this area as a "danger zone" and would not land anywhere in it. BirdXPeller is actually a distress "crier", meaning, it produces sounds which mimic the sound that the common predators of these birds produce. It has 8 sounds and the volume by which each of these sounds is emitted can be controlled by the user. It can even be set to have silent times and would "cry" only at specific times in order to mimic the real predators.

So far, there are 3 BirdXPeller models in the marker, these are: 1. BXP-PRO 1 (used for pigeons, gulls, sparrows and starlings), 2. BXP-PRO 2 (used for ravens, blackbirds, crows, cormorants and grackles), 3. BXP-PRO WP (used for sapsucker birds and the woodpeckers). These devices are quite expensive but they are really worth every penny. Regular price is around 240 euros. The additional batteries can cost up to $20 per set and the sun-operated charger is about $160. If you don't mind about the cost for as long as you get real protection from pigeons, then this device is right for you. Well, if you have more funds you can also try the Super BirdXPeller. These devices can cover up to 6 acres of land. This device costs 595 euros, excluding accessories.

2. "Mega Blaster PRO Sonic Bird Repeller"

This device is for large-scale applications, it can cover up to 30 acres of land! It is mainly used for agricultural applications and acts similar to the BirdXPeller. But this one has to be set up in a tower for maximum coverage. It has 4 speaks and each of these speakers has an output of 125 decibels. It is even advised that people who come close to the tower must wear ear protections.

The Mega Blaster has eight pre-recorded audios of different bird predators and just like the BirdXPeller; you can also set the silent time mode of the device so that it will sound more realistic. The control operation of the tower is kept in a NEMA-type box which is also the same with the windmills and other tower-mounted devices. Additional features are: has 3 "harassment" sounds, 3 realistic "cries" form terrifying predators and has very power ultrasonic effects for high-impact noise.

3. "Ultrason-X Repel Birds"

Of course, there are certain places that need protection from pigeons but cannot afford to have the noise coming out from the other devices. Gas stations, hospitals, hotels and restaurants are examples of such placed. The Ultrason-X is built for this type of an application. The device does not produce any sound; in fact it is called the "silent" bird repeller. It produces sound which is inaudible to the human ear but is already very irritating to birds. The set is comprised of four heavy-duty speakers and a separate control box. The speakers are directional and are connected to the control box by a 100 feet long wire. This means that each of these speakers can be conveniently places in the different corners of the area in order to ensure maximum coverage. It is very easy to operate and works with a 110 Volts power supply. The maximum area that it can cover in 3600 square feet, or about 900 square feet for a single speaker.

This device is highly programmable. It has three customizations: high, medium, and low. These settings indicate the frequency by which the ultrasonic sound is emitted by the device. Because of its special function, this device is quite expensive too. Relative to the area it can protect, it is way more expensive that the first two devices. It is currently $590 in the market, all accessories are still excluded.

4. "BalconyGard" Ultrasonic Bird Repeller

If you are only seeking for a device that can protect you balcony or your porch from perching pigeons, then this device is a perfect choice. It is affordable, costing only about $60 each. It can produce irritating noises which pigeons cannot stand. Thus, instead of perching in your balcony or in your patio, they would rather go someplace else. This device is also pre-built with infrared sensors so that it only turns on when it senses a bird. This feature saves power and at the same time, it prolongs the life of the devices. The sound that it produces is still inaudible to the human ear. With this device, you can already protect your place from pigeon droppings and the dangers that these excretions can bring. And, since this device is mainly for outdoor application, it is also designed to withstand rain.

The user of the BalconGard should expect that the pigeons will not leave the balcony or the patio immediately after it is installed. The birds will still come back a couple of times more until they realize that the place is not conducive for habituation anymore. The user should also realize that this device does not work like throwing a pebble to the birds (which scares the birds right away). Assuming that you are a pigeon, you would experience irritating sensation that slowly builds up while you stay in the area protected by BalconGard. Eventually, you will not be able to stand the irritations anymore and you will have no other choice but to leave the place for good. The manufacturers of BalconGard assure users of a 70-feet area protection guarantee but some users have reported that the device was able to cover as much as 900 square feet. This device best works when accompanied by visual scarers like holographic predator eyes hanging from the ceiling or by owl images.

Random Facts about Pigeons and other Birds

2011-08-23T03:56:00.000-07:00

You might think that you know everything about pigeons simply because you see them every day as you drive through the city streets in your way to your office. But there are so many other things which you might not know about these birds. Read through this article to see which facts are new to you.

- Pigeons used to be very significant in the 17th century that a decree declared the birds as the property of the monarch of England.

- Before pigeon droppings became known as carriers of harmful bacteria and viruses, these excretions were used as the main ingredient in making gun powder.

- Pigeons have been living alongside human civilizations for more than 5000 years already. Archaeologists were able to find pigeon paintings that date back to 3000 BC.

- Unlike other birds, pigeons can see in full color. They also have very excellent vision and they can see ultraviolet light which the human eye can no longer see. This exceptional vision capability is the reason why pigeons are used in many search and rescue operations.

- Just like doves, pigeons have been mentioned in the Bible as part of the customary offerings.

- Male pigeons are a little larger than their female counterparts. This characteristic is true to most animals.

- Until now, some armies are still using pigeons for communication purposes. Nonetheless, pigeons are indeed used to deliver letters and other important parcels in the past. The founder of the Reuters even used pigeons for the same purposes.

- The most commonly found pigeon in the world is now extinct. They are the passenger pigeons whose population reached to about 5 billion in North America alone in the 1800s.

- Pigeon produce a kind of secretion that is very nutritious. Because pigeons use this to feed their young, it became known as pigeon milk. And, would you be surprised to know that both male and female pigeons can produce pigeon milk?

- It only takes 18 to 19 days for a pigeon egg to hatch.

- The rock pigeon specie became widely domesticated not as pets but as a meat source.

- England's Queen Elizabeth is so fond of pigeons that she ordered that pigeon lofts are installed in her estate in Norfolk.

- Sikhism considers pigeons as sacred birds and feeding on their meat is assumed to bring forth benefits to the person eating it.

- Many people use the terms pigeons and doves interchangeable although these two actually refers to two different types of birds. The two may have a lot of similarities but they also have very distinct characteristics. In general, pigeons are a bit larger than the doves. Both birds belong to Columbidae which is a very large bird family.

- The famous wealthy family in Europe, the Rothschild, increased their wealth by using pigeons to communicate for their business. They have used the birds in the 1800s and from then on, the family is able to expand their networks throughout Europe and the later on, to the rest of the world.

- The most common pigeon predators found in the cities are the cats. In rural areas, the predators include the eagles, owls and raccoons.

- After hatching, a baby pigeon will only need six months to reach puberty. At this stage, the birds are already capable of reproduction. Pigeons can live for up to 15 years and continue to reproduce during their entire lifetime.

Other Bird Facts

You might be interested to learn some random facts about other birds too. Read through the following:

- Green Herons have developed human-like behaviour in fishing. They use baits to lure fished close to them before they dive in to make the catch.

- Measuring 47 centimetres, the Australian Pelicans are considered as the birds with the longest beaks.

- There is a kind of bird that can poison anyone who tries to eat their flesh. These birds are known as the Hooded Pitohui.

- The only bird that can fly backwards is the hummingbird.

- The Dodo bird which is related to the overpopulated pigeon species in the cities is now extinct. As of now, only photos of the Dodo remain for the human civilization to see.

- The heaviest bird that can fly in the world is the Great Bustard. If we include those that can't, of course the Ostrich would get the honour.

- If we account for all the parrots in the world, we will reach a count of 350 different species.

- As a form of courtship, the Male Frigate birds use their inflatable throats to attract their female counterparts. The throats are red and are very bright.

- You will know what a specific bird species eats in the wild by simply examining its beak.

- According to records, about 1 billion birds die every year.

- Some parrot species do not mind flying over a distance of 500 miles each day just to look for food.

- While you might assume that for an animal to be classified as a bird, it has to have wings. This is not the case with the Kiwi found in New Zealand. It is considered as a bird because of its other features although it does not have wings.

- The longest hatching egg in the bird kingdom is that laid by the Royal Albatross. It takes about 79 days because it hatches.

- The world's smallest owl weighs 1.5 ounce only.

- The bird that lived the longest life in captivity is named Charlie. It is a Macaw with blue and gold colors and was originally owned by Winston Churchill. His children inherited the bird that celebrated its 104th birthday last 2004. No news about Charlie has been reported but if it is still alive, it should be around 110 years old.

If you are interested to learn more facts about pigeons, read through the articles I have posted in this blog. You can find these articles in the archive section below.

Pigeon Meat Delicacy

2011-08-23T03:24:00.000-07:00

It's not an exaggeration to say that most Americans hate feral pigeons; in fact, this disdain against these city birds is not exclusive to the Americans, there are many other places in the world where a lot of people consider pigeons are pests that need to be controlled and eradicated. However, it is also this popular opinion against these birds that makes most people unaware that there is a growing market for pigeon meat. Many farmers have already made good money by selling pigeons that they catch within their lands; some of these meats have even found their way into the racks of large grocery stores. Ironically, cooked pigeon meat is loved as much as live birds are hated.

The pigeon meat market actually started as a by-product of the efforts of the governments to deal with pigeon infestation. Among these efforts include the proper disposal and processing of their excrement called guano. Because of its high organic content, guano is actually very good when used as a fertilizer. Apart from their droppings, the government has also exerted efforts on reducing pigeon population in the cities. Since the goal is to reduce their population, the government has allowed massive pigeon hunting whether for leisure or out of pure disdain. Eventually, some people started to hunt pigeons for their meat.

The introduction of pigeon meat to the public has done two real good things to various communities: 1. it has offered the people an alternative source for protein and 2. It has encouraged them to hunt down pigeons for money (thus reducing their population more quickly). This is a very good compromise considering that government agencies, private companies and even homeowners spend a good deal of money on pigeon control alone. If all these cash is added up, it can reach up to a couple of billions of dollars each year, an amount too large that it could have been used for some other purposes and achieve great things. Well, the only issue about encouraged massive pigeon hunting is that it might actually threaten pigeon species and push them to extinction. Of course, this is not very apparent now but with improper supervision, it might just happen.

Thus, it is important for the state to set strict rules about pigeon hunting. It should be emphasized that only feral pigeons which commonly come in a flock of a hundred or so can be killed for their meat; all the other species are still protected by the law. This should be made clear because most of the other pigeon species do not cause as much trouble as the feral pigeons. For example, it is the latter that perch and roost on buildings in the metropolis thus if this is the problem faced by the owner of the property, killing the non-pest pigeon species will not solve the problem, instead it will only cause problems in the biodiversity of the planet granting that the pigeon killed belongs to a specie that is not abundant anymore.

The Bird, the Plate and the Table

Believe it or not, when pigeons are served on restaurant tables, they can cost up to $10 for each serving. The meat of this bird is also very flexible when it comes to the kinds of dishes that can be cooked using it. For example, it can be used in soups and in majority of the "meat-based" recipes that we know. Pigeons are dressed pretty much the same with how chickens are dressed. Their heads and a good portion of their limbs are simply cut off; of course, that's after all the feathers of the bird has been removed as well as its internal organs.

Most restaurants serve pigeon cutlets because many people are uncomfortable about being served with a recipe that includes meat which resembles a pigeon. Like what has been already established, many people can't help it but be hostile to the birds and although they might love the meat of these birds, they might prefer not to taste it because of a pre-moulded idea that they will be eating "pests". Well, apart from this concern, there's nothing else that seems wrong or bad about pigeon meat. As children, we might have some fond memories on feeding pigeons in parks or in going to pigeon-inspired parks and resorts. But as we start growing we realize that pigeons can cause as much damage as a horrible typhoon can do, at least in a relative sense. And now as adults, we can start gathering fond memories again, this time of delicious pigeon meat served on porcelain plates.

Here's one pigeon-based recipe that you might want to try at home the next time that you caught or killed a pigeon. It's called the Pigeon Stew and with the following ingredients you will be able to cook a dish that can feed 4 to 6 people (depending on their appetite).

Ingredients:

6 Oven-ready Pigeons (should be dressed with giblets kept)
6 ounces melted butter
6 bacon slices (should be fatty)
2 ounces Brandy
1 thinly-sliced Truffle (drained)
4 ounces Button mushrooms (drained and cooked well)

For the sauce:

8 ounces Chicken stock
8 ounces white wine (dry)
1 ounce butter
1 ounce flour
1 garni (a whole Bouquet is better)
1 onion (minced)
1 small-sized carrot (chopped)
Salt and pepper

Directions for cooking:

1. To add flavour to the meat itself, rub salt and pepper on every surface of the pigeon which you can reach. Roast all 6 meats in a preheated oven (about 180 degree Celsius); don't forget to add a spoon of butter into the roasting pan you are using. To enhance the flavour of the meat, place bacon over each of the bird's breasts. Cooking time should be around 40 minutes.

2. You will have to remove the skin of the birds after they are roasted. The skin contains too much oil that it can compromise the taste of the stew that you are cooking. Well, on top of that, bird skin is also very high is cholesterol and removing it will be very healthy for you.

3. Slice each skinned pigeon meat and arranges all the slices in a casserole. Add the other ingredients (mushroom, brandy and truffle).

4. To make the sauce simply mix all the ingredients listed above. Simmer the sauce until about 25% of the sauce has already evaporated into thin air. Use salt and pepper to adjust the taste.

5. Finally, you are not ready to pour out the sauce into the casserole. Serve hot.

Pigeon cooking at its best ;-)

Sound Emitting Pigeon Control Device

2011-08-18T03:33:00.000-07:00

Most people would think that sound emitting devices are less to not effective at all in dealing with pest problems inside the house. Sometimes this can be true depending on the type of pest being dealt with or how the device is used particularly in terms of installation and the location of the installation. These factors are often the causes why the sound emitting device will be rendered les useful or ineffective at all. Therefore, you have to make certain that you have placed the devices on the most strategic locations as possible. However, the efficacy of the device may also depend on the quality of the device itself. If you happen to purchase a second rate brand of sound of emitting device, which happens to be a total rip, then most likely the device will fail in its purpose due to the substandard components it is comprised with. Therefore, you also have to make sure that when you purchase a sound emitting pest repellent device, you purchase them at the most reliable store that the general people know or the most trusted brand of such a device. In this article we will be giving you one of the most reliable and popularly used sound emitting bird repellent devices at present.

Also, other points that will be discussed in this article are how to install the device, what are the types of devices should you compound the sound emitting device with, and how it works. Such pointers may come in handy when you are about to install the device and if you are to ensure that it will truly work in deterring the pestering pests away from your house. Most people are too lazy to innovate the functionality of the device that's why it often fails in their output. We will also be incorporating some tips on how to make the device work effectively and of course there will also be an identification as to which types of pests will it work with.

The Ultrasonic Sound Emitting Device

One of the primer innovations of technology that deals with pest pigeon control is the discovery of sound as a powerful deterrence against any pigeon. Knowing that sound can actually prevent pigeons from roosting or perching in your property, scientist have long invented devices that incorporate the functionality of sound as a factor to combat pigeon infestation. Thus, we now have what we call the Ultrasonic Sound Emitting Device. Such device is commonly used by many household across the world in order to deal with their bird problems at home. Not only are they installed in households, but they are also being used in vast varieties of establishments, from boats to office establishments in urban areas. Such devices have proven its effectiveness throughout time since it first came into the pest control market. Though the predecessors of the present generation of sound pigeon deterrent devices weren't as effective as they are now, but through constant improvement and innovation, we now have the most potent mean to thwart any unwanted flyers.

The device can actually be considered as two devices into one since it has dual different features that cater different aspects of deterring any bird incursions. Its first side of functionality refers to the ultrasonic frequencies that produce sonic sound frequencies which are actually harmless to the natural environments as well as to human beings. Except for those who happen to have highly sensitive sense of hearing, they will most likely detect the sound being produced out of this device. Nevertheless, the sound they will probably hear are just nearly inaudible ringing sounds which most likely will not cause any hassles to anyone, though you may experience a slight discomfort at first. Rest assured, the discomforting feeling will eventually come to pass right away as one could easily foster a level of tolerance to it. The second aspect of the device is actually bird voice simulating machinery, wherein the device mimics that distress calls of actual birds. When birds hear distress calls from another bird, they will most likely stay away from the location where the distress call originated. Therefore, the device doesn't only give a nuisance feeling to the birds hearing senses, it also scares them away.

Just in case, there are certain people within the household who apparently can't tolerate the other sounds that the device produces, they can be conveniently turned off, leaving only the ultrasonic to function. These ultrasonic sounds are nearly impossible to be heard by humans unless of course a person happens to have very keen sense of hearing. However, the best results of the deterrent device relies on both its sound functions, therefore it is advisable to switch both mechanisms on.

The device actually comes with four pieces of speakers. The ultrasonic sound the device creates circulates through the four output speakers. Better effects can be attained if it is placed to create a surround sound effect feeling. The ultrasonic function of the device works 24/7 while the other sounds can be configured according to your personal preferences.

Compound Devices

The device in itself is already potently effective. But still, it would be best if you could employ other methods or devices to aid the device in keeping the annoying birds away. One compatible device is the bird laser. Bird lasers are devices that produce laser lights to distract birds in their flight. The laser light can be too strong for birds to tolerate and often it signals danger to birds that come by. Birds will eventually turn away from your house because of the perceived pseudo-danger. Along with the ultrasonic device, the effects can be both quite compelling and convincing.

Setting-Up

Setting up the device can be quite a hassle especially if it's your first time using it. It would be advised that you seek out instructional manuals or a professional guidance first before you install the device. Professional assistance would enable you to strategically place the devices properly in order to achieve optimal effect and quality output.

Three Ways to Scare a Pigeon

2011-08-17T11:43:00.000-07:00

Statistically speaking, hundreds of property owners (especially those who own buildings and other structures within the metropolis) are spending thousands, if not millions, of dollars each year just to clean-up pigeon droppings and repair the damages that the habituation of these birds have done in their properties. It is not difficult to see then why these people are willing to invest on bird control methods and devices just to get rid of these birds. Well, apart from aesthetic concerns, these birds also threaten human health. In fact, is has been established that these pest birds can carry and transmit at least 60 different kinds of diseases. That being said, the owners of these properties are compelled to sanitize and treat their properties from possible health hazards apart from spending on the repairs and clean-ups! Clearly, there are serious financial advantages when the habituation of these birds has been prevented in the very first place.

Private companies and even the government agencies have been burdened by the presence of these birds since they started living in urban areas. The need for regular clean-ups and maintenance is really adding up to the expenses which these companies and agencies have to deal with on a yearly basis. Thus, the best possible approach is to invest on a method or a device that will "repel" these birds for good. This is the only way to cut down on the regular expenses on clean-ups and repairs. While the onset capital for these devices and products may seem too much, the real benefit is that it is a onetime expense, unlike cleaning up and repairing which can recur forever. Now, since we are talking about relative huge onset investments, it is but right that we also choose the best "bird barrier" that we can get. To be able to so, start here:

1. Audio Repellents

Such types of pigeon repellents are very common in houses because they are the most affordable ones. The manufacturers of these devices claim that they can be effectively used to repel pigeons from perching and nesting in areas within and adjacent to the house. Examples of such areas are the garage, sheds and the warehouses which homeowners seldom do complete and thorough cleaning. These devices are also known as audio bird "scarers" because of its primal function which is precisely what this name suggests, it scares the birds. One trait of pigeons is that they do not like loud and sharp noises. Now, since these devices produce this kind of sounds, pigeons are technically scared to come anywhere close to the source of the sound.

2. Visual Repellents

Can you imagine a scarecrow in your yard? Well, that's how visual "scarers" work but of course these devices do not resemble a scarecrow which can definitely ruin the aesthetic value of your home. Instead, they come as flash tapes and poles which reflect sunlight. Pigeons are distressed by flashing light and would rather stay far from its source. Thus, reflection poles are very effective in irritating the birds. This can also be used on rooftop surfaces as well as on porches and other areas. Moreover, you can also wrap the trunk of a fruit tree with a metallic sheet so that the trunk would act like a flash pole. This way, you will be able to scare away the pigeons from fruit-bearing trees. For some reason, pigeons can also identify shapes. Many bird control specialists have made use of this characteristic to control them. For example, they have used predatory images to act like flash poles which also have the same effects to the birds.

3. Bird Spikes

The use of spikes is very common to buildings with areas that are prone to pigeon habituation. These spikes are considered as traditional but so far, they are also the most effective. In most cases, the spikes are simply mounted on boards which are then laid out on building tops and other areas commonly perched and roosted by pigeons. But there are instances when each spike is mounted on the surface of the building. This is done when the surface that needs protection does not have a vast flat area. Cement or strong metal glues are used to attach the spikes in place. Moreover, in order to enhance the effects of the spikes, bird control specialists also try to incorporate visual repellents into them. To materialize that, they simple add a predatory image along with the spikes. For example, they might place a decoy owl or a falcon on the area where the spikes are mounted. The most effective predatory bird decoys are those which are three-dimensional. The spikes are also used in other pest control applications. Apart from pigeons, spikes are also used to repel squirrels and other rodents.

Reminders

Although it has been said that you need to invest on bird control devices and mechanisms in order to avoid higher expenses on cleaning after their mess, it does not mean that these products would be so expensive that you would need to spend all your fortune on them. In fact, in a relative sense, these products are affordable. You can even ask for big discounts from their dealers and retailers if you are ordering in bulk. You just need to explore your options and continue to seek for ways by which you can cut down in your expenses.

If you are not sure yet as to which of these bird control devices best suits your needs, then it is wise for you to do a little research first. You can start by participating in various pigeon control forums in the web. You can also do light readings on different topics about bird control and ultimately, you can commission the help of a bird control specialist to help you determine the kind of solution that your bird problem needs. Of course, do not limit yourself to what a single specialist tells you. If in doubt, consult other people and compare which solution offered seems to be the best one.

Pigeon Control in Hospitals and Health Care Facilities

2011-08-17T11:28:00.000-07:00

Bird control is as important as mitigating insects and rodents from infesting in hospitals and health care facilities. Because of the need of such places to be always clean and safe from any possible source of diseases, feral pigeons which are notorious for leaving behind huge amounts of droppings which harbors a lot of harmful bacteria and viruses are also treated the same and equal as rats, mice, mosquitoes and flies. However, it is not uncommon for the maintenance managers of these facilities to act late when it comes to pigeon eradication. The thing pigeons and other pest birds like sparrows and starlings is that they can make their presence undetectable for some time until the amount of damage that they have already made will reveal their presence. That is, in most cases maintenance managers would only realize that pigeons have already been infesting in the roof void of their facility when signs of their habituation already becomes obvious. This is problematic because at this time, it is possible that the droppings that have been accumulated in the roof void or in the other areas in these facilities may have been enough to cause infectious diseases to the weak patients in the facility.

Nonetheless, this kind of situation can be readily avoided by regular and thorough inspection. Large hospitals and other treatment facilities are actually very keen about such happenings that most of them have already invested on pigeon control methods and at the same time, hire personnel whose main job is to make sure that no pigeon will ever enter the vicinity of the hospital or the health facility. This is a big job actually, considering that feral pigeons are very prevalent in cities and other urban areas. Taking note that a single flock of pigeons which is composed of about 100 birds can leave behind wastes which can amount to about 4,800 pound a year and that there are hundreds if not thousands of pigeon flocks in the metropolis. All these droppings contain organic compounds which do not only corrode structural materials but also carry different kinds of pathogens, microorganisms and parasites which can greatly compromise human health. This is the reason why bird control is such a big deal in the context of hospitals and health facilities.

As a side note, these birds carry and transmit histoplasmosis which may not cause serious problems when confined only in the lungs of the patient but is dangerously fatal when it infects the parts of the body. This disease is often caught in caves and other places where the droppings of bats and other birds have greatly accumulated over time. The infection becomes airborne in these places so victims do not really realize that they have already inhaled harmful pathogens not until they would experience the symptoms associated to the disease. Now, many people underrate just how much droppings pigeons can leave behind that they do not consider that these birds can cause histoplasmosis until it is already too late. Just imagine just how much insult it brings on to a hospital whose patients have caught such kinds of diseases inside their premises. IT actually defeats the entire purpose of the health facility itself.

Programs and Methods of Control

Putting the interest of the hospital in line, maintenance manages resort to bird control programs and methods which have been proven to be effective. However, since health care facilities also need to secure the other interests of their patients they can only choose from a limited list of bird control measures. For example, they cannot use devices that emit noise which are known to be effective in scaring away pigeons. Other control methods that hospitals cannot utilize are the use of fireworks, guns and poisons. The last one is highly discouraged because of the nature of the facilities and at the same time, many pest control operator would also agree that poisoning is one of the most useless bird control methods ever used in history. The methods that the hospital can use are:

1. Bird Removal

The name of this method already gives away what it does. Basically, the goal of this method is to remove the birds from the facility. Because of certain factors, this method is only limited to trapping pigeons alive. That means that the most that the maintenance manager can do is set up traps and use bait foods to lure the birds into these traps. Now, since pigeons cannot be relocated because of their strong homing traits (that means that if you release them elsewhere, they will still find their way back into the place where you took them), the only way to deal with the birds is too euthanized then elsewhere. The most common methods of bird euthanasia is gassing and drowning. However, the problem with this method, apart from catching the ire of PETA for massive pigeon killing, it also requires a lot of effort from the maintenance manager or to the bird control personnel in-charged. The traps have to be checked on a daily basis and the food baits have to be replaced as soon as they are consumed. Nevertheless, since hospitals do not have that much of a choice, this method is still extensively used.

2. Bird Exclusion

No matter what the prime bird control method the maintenance manager has chosen, it is almost imperative that it should include this method to some extent. It is already a given fact that hospitals and health facilities have large geographical scopes and some areas just have to be secured from the birds by exclusion techniques. Examples of exclusion devices are spikes, sloping landing, netting and electric shock strips. There are other exclusion devices but these four are amongst the most popular ones. These devices are generally used to secure certain surfaces, ledges and other architectural features from the birds. However, the real problem with this strategy is that it does not really stop the birds from destroying properties and threatening health. All it does is that it "pushes" the birds to go elsewhere, simply say, to damage other properties and compromise the health of the other people outside the vicinity of the health facility. In a communal sense, this method is self-defeating.

The Smartest Ways to Approach Pigeon Control

2011-08-16T03:55:00.000-07:00

Not a lot of people may be aware that pigeons are the smartest of all the bird species in the planet. You may not feel too relaxed after knowing this, thinking that it is possible for this type of birds to find their way out of your traps. You would have to think of better ways to prevent the otherwise, you will definitely suffer the consequences of not having been able to do more than expected. Thankfully, there are smart ways on doing that; smart ways which are sufficient enough to outsmart the pestering pigeons perching on your rooftops and vents.

How Smart Pigeons Are?

Being the most intelligent species of birds in the planet, they are capable of doing some feat that no other birds are able to do. One feat for example is the fact that they can actually recognize their reflection in the mirror. There are only 6 species of animals in the planet and pigeons are the only ones among these species which happens to be non-mammal.

You may not be able to teach a pigeon how to speak human, but you can actually teach them the alphabet. If given proper training a pigeon may recognize the entire 26 letters of the English alphabet. Trained with proper bird communication, it can translate the letters it has learned and therefore communicate with a human person. This approach of letter recognition has been used since World War II, wherein pigeons are employed to send secret messages or intel across war zones.

Did you know that pigeons can identify two different human beings in a photograph? If given the proper positive reinforcement training, a pigeon may be able to identify you from someone else, giving you the sole control and ownership of a pigeon if you take it for a pet.

Granting that a pigeon could have that much intelligence, you could say therefore that it is a much easier task to ensnare pest rodents in your house, or solve other pest issues that will take place, than planning on controlling pigeons. Ever since, apart from their sheer multitude, pigeon control has always posed a tremendous challenge to any homeowners in the world.

The Wrong (not-so-smart) Ways

Up to date, there are already many new innovations and a completely new breed of pigeon control methods at large. Consequential to the growing demand of the majority, the innovations have become more convenient and efficient over time, extending the coverage of protection to not only residential urban households but as well as commercial exterior areas. Later, people have realized that pigeons have a bad habit of pooping in almost everywhere it perches, even as it is on flight and that cleaning up the droppings happens to be just another challenging task apart from the fact that these droppings could bring about a handful of diseases. People then have sought ways to somehow immediately deal with the pigeon problems and have resorted to expedient lethal means. However, the environmental advocacy lobby clamours that such approaches should be stopped and therefore gave birth to the prevalence of the usage of humane pigeon control methods.

Here is a list of some of those smart (humane) methods:

Balloons and Foils

You may think that balloons and foils are only good to be used on parties. But guess what? They could actually be used as a pigeon control method as well. You see, birds like pigeons often identify brightly colored large objects as predators and they would feel intimidated by the presence of anything that resembles such. Therefore, when you place a balloon, colourful to catch a flying creature's attention, which also dances and weaves with the motion of the wind, they could pretty much serve as a scarecrow at your rooftop. Foils could also help prevent pigeons from perching in your balconies or roofs by reflecting the sun to glaring any flyer-by. However, foils may prove to be futile at night as there isn't enough light to reflect with. Same goes as well with balloons, as no matter how large and brightly colored they are, they would always be less visible at night.

Spike the Roof

Pigeons may be very good creatures of flight and they do pretty well in flying across long distances. However, sooner or later these creatures will seek rest and would definitely find a spot to land on. You now have to make sure that they're not taking R&R at your beloved rooftops. You can do so by installing bird spikes on it. It deters pigeons from landing and perching on your rooftops by providing spike obstacles on the area. Pigeons don't really like to complicate things, knowing that your house is not safe to land on because of all the spiky things on it, pigeons would most likely find someplace else to rest instead. This makes this method or device both humane and effective.

The Vexing Electrocution

One of the things most hated by pigeons is when they get annoyed with something and they would immediately take their course and leave. The same principle is applied with the use of electric shocks. The devices would emit electric shocks that slightly electrocute pigeons that perch by in the area. However, these devices run on batteries, and you have to ensure that these devices would keep on running; otherwise you already know what will happen to your house.

The Sticky Solution

Earlier, it was mentioned that annoyance is one of the pigeon's greatest circumstantial enemies. Since purchasing electric pulsating devices could cost quite much and if you happen to be that kind of person that thrifts in everything, then purchase a sticky gel or create one instead. The sticky solution may not repel pigeons right away. But it definitely gives quite a deterrence to pigeons once they are acquainted with how annoying the gels could get. Pigeons get stuck in the gel solutions for a while and would begin to flutter their way out. Once they have identified that area as an unlikely place to perch into, they will no longer come back to have more of the vexing feeling.

Painful Pigeon Death Caused by Avicides

2011-08-16T03:44:00.000-07:00

How often have you received a recommendation from pest control companies that the best way to resolve whatever problems you have with pigeons is to poison them? Amongst the most popularly recommended bird poison also known as avicide is the Avitrol (DRC-1339). However, in reality, do we really know how painful a death from Avitrol can be? Most pest control companies will only tell you a surface-scratch understanding of the poison. For example, these companies can go as far as explaining to you that the presence of avicides in an area is enough to "scare away" pigeons and thus disperse huge flocks in a matter of days. While this explanation is true to some extent (pigeons will naturally avoid an area where a good number of birds have already died due to a certain threat) it hides away the reality of what happens to the birds that die because of the poison.

Avitrol and the other avicides available in the market are made from very toxic chemicals that can cause immense pain to birds and other animals when ingested. These poisons impair the nervous system of the birds making them disoriented. This condition leads to tremors and erratic flight movements which eventually end up to hours of violent convulsions. During the entire process, all that the birds will feel is acute pain and in most cases, this pain is what drives the birds to death. This picture is already very horrible to imagine, so much more if it involves non-target animals like pets, unsuspecting birds and raptors. Many of these animals have been reported to suffer from the ill effects of Avitrol because of accidental ingestion.

The Main Problem with Avitrol

It is really difficult to justify why pigeons should not be killed in such an inhumanely manner granting that many sectors of society do not give that much care to "pests", but despite this, there are other problems associated to the use of Avitrol. One significant problem is the fact that endangered birds in the wild feed on dead animals like pigeons which died because of Avitrol or some other bird poison. The thing about poisons is that its chemical compounds do not dissipate when the animal that has ingested it dies. The deadly chemicals remain in the bodies of these dead animals making them the new "poisoned bait". Because Avitrol does not kill the pigeons on the spot, these birds still have enough strength to fly into places where endangered falcons would find them and feed on them. Falcons eating poisoned birds will definitely get poisoned too. Amongst the other protected birds that have suffered a great deal because of feeding on poisoned pigeons are the peregrine falcons and the red-tailed hawks.

This clear harm is the reason why cities have already discouraged the use of Avitrol in their territories. Some of these cities are: San Francisco, New York, Colorado and Boulder. However, even to this date, the use of these poisons is still not prohibited and the market is still very wide open to sell more of it.

Harmful and Ineffective

It might also come as a surprise to you to know that all the harms that the society is willing to face just to have an effective bird control product such as the Avitrol is put to waste because in reality, such products are ineffective. Pigeons are wise birds, in fact they are considered as the wisest of all city-dwelling birds. When they sense that a specific area has been implanted with poisoned baits, they will simply relocate into another area adjacent to their old location. Sure, pest control companies can then set the baits in that new area and the birds will again relocate. This will only result to a never-ending cycle of brutal killings.

If indeed, the intention is to simply control the birds and avoid the possible damages that they can cause, you can simply resort to non-lethal methods. As far as statistics in concerned, these methods are more effective and practical. Examples of non-lethal bird control methods are: the installation of nettings and spikes and the use of frightening devices whether mechanical or electronic.

It should be understood that simply killing the birds through the use of poisons is a short term solution. After the current population is killed, another generation of pigeons will come after them. If you continue to resort into using poisons, you will end up repeating the same process over and over again. Of course, it will cost you a great deal of money and that expense will be perpetual. You should know that to serve their best interests, pest control companies that rely on poisons as well as the manufacturers of these poisons themselves will not reveal this reality to you, else they will be hurting their own industry. It is up to you to be wise and choose the kind of control method that will both give more value to your money and to the life of the animals around you.

Helping the Birds

By any chance, if you happen to find a pigeon or any bird that exhibits the symptoms of avicide poisoning, you must act quick and take the bird to a veterinarian. If you are not that much concern about the pigeon because in your own personal assessment these birds are nothing less than rats with wings, then at least have the decency to take the bird and dispose it in a place where non-target animals will not find it and feed on it. Of course, that is if you do not really care about the fact that pigeons who are poisoned with Avitrol and some other avicides are definitely suffering from so much pain.

But, if you are the concerned type, it is best if you report the incident to a "local animal control agency" so that they can help out in investigating how the bird was poisoned in the first place. If you see another bird species apart from pigeons, grackles, sparrows and starlings that suffer from the same symptoms, all the more that you should act quickly because such birds are protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty issued by the federal state. Anyone who harms the birds, whether by poisoning or not, is legally accountable to the law.

Do It Yourself Pigeon Control for Beginners

2011-08-16T03:31:00.000-07:00

Often you would find yourself frugal because you somehow have other much more important fiscal priorities at hand. Don't worry, don't think that you are the only in this world that have undergone such situations. Such occasions are just completely normal and human. Therefore, you ought to find ways that you can improvise and innovate yourself in order to satisfy both aspects of notion of convenience: The aspect in which you are able to save money and the aspect of which you are still able to provide and effective solution to the problem. This kind of situations still happens when it comes to deducing the best pigeon control approach in a particular circumstance.

Most people would not like to spend a lot on pigeon control approaches and often by not spending a lot, they are willing to compromise the quality of the method or approach that deals with the pestering pigeon problem. While it may be true that with high price comes better quality, it also holds true that not all solutions can be bought and therefore, the best solutions could still be out there to be discovered by yourself manually. By simply being thoroughly logical and creative with your improvisations, you may be able to innovate the best pigeon control solution there is on the planet. Also, you need to foster a certain level of patience when it comes to DIY approaches. Since they are more than half the time without the assistance of automated devices, unlike most purchased solutions are, they would definitely take more time to setup and as well as to take effect. However, rest assured the output you desire would still be savoured just as long as you make sure that everything is in place.

In this article we will be discussing Do-it-Yourself methods on providing solution to pigeon roosting and perching problems. We will be giving handful of helpful advices particularly on what devices to acquire which can be readily found in your garage or in your toolbox and how to set them up and assembling the components altogether to create your own pest pigeon control device(s). However, we will still be mentioning about the best available commercial products there is for your convenience whenever you would need an immediate alternative.

Perching Problems during Broad Daylight

An important consideration whenever you are to find a solution to your pigeon problem is to research or investigate first the nature of the problem. You have to first understand why you are currently having a pigeon problem and then you also have to understand how the entire problem works for you to be able to combat it by using the appropriate solutions.

In this case, if you have somehow noticed for some time that pigeons are only giving you problems during broad daylight, then the next step is to understand why they are somehow attracted to perch in your building. It is important to know and aware yourself of the nature of their stay as you may immediately employ pigeon deterrence that will just simply relocate the pigeons into more inaccessible places. More often than not, they would relocate themselves to the tiles of the roof making them even more difficult to reach and expel. While most people would think that they're better off being in the tiles of the roof and far from the balconies and any near places to your house, there is still a problem. Oftentimes, the pigeon guanos and nesting stuff will cause blockage in the gutter and downpipes especially during rains and it can be quite a problem to have those particular places cleaned up. Therefore, you have to make sure that pigeons will never stay anywhere near your house at all, even inside the roof tiles. But this doesn't mean you have to slaughter each one of them to dispatch them for certain. You do that and you may get yourself with even more severe complications especially those that concerns legal ramifications. You really don't want to have that additional burden into what you already have as of the moment. One thing you have to understand about pigeon control is that you it simply only means that you relocate the problem causers and not exterminate them. There are laws and rules that protect these creatures and you wouldn't want to cross that line.

You have to understand that if the pigeons are perching on your rooftops because they are somehow being fed on sight, installing any ultrasonic pigeon deterrents will simply just move them upwards to the roof tile areas. They would simply just find their way around your deterrent devices as they wouldn't want to leave the area knowing that there is food source around. What you can do now instead is to make sure that their food sources are cut off. If they don't have any food sources to come by, they would become less interested to situate themselves in your place. It becomes more complicated though if you happen to live nearby a food house or restaurant. If that's the case, the best thing you can do therefore is to purchase all sorts of pigeon deterrents to totally keep the pigeons away from your house.

Breeding Problems and Overnight Pigeon Roosting

This kind of problems can't be handled with DIY alone. Although it may be possible that DIY approaches may take effect, however, quality output would greatly rely on the combination of both DIY and commercial options. The first thing you have to do is to identify where the roosting places of pigeons in your house are and look for evidences that suggest they are breeding in those areas. Usually the evidences that pigeons are breeding in those locations are the presence of nests and possibly eggs. You will also have to be able to identify roughly how many pigeons are there inhabiting those areas. This way you will be able to know what sort of approaches you will require to be able to handle the population of pigeons at your rooftop.

The Law Regarding Pigeon Control

2011-08-15T04:42:00.000-07:00

While pigeons can potentially become a pest in one's household, it doesn't necessarily mean that you can be trigger happy about killing them all. In fact, you can't do that because there are certain laws that govern and protect pigeon species. In the same way, all species of the planet are protected by certain rights to preserve their longevity. Pigeons aren't that different despite their population multitude and density, creatures of earth as they are they still deserve to be protected no matter what. It is now your responsibility to know these rules and regulations pertaining to the protection of this bird species to uphold the entire thought of preserving them as well as to avoid legal infringes that could lead to your own hassles.

There are things that you have to consider when dealing with pigeons infestations with whatever way you know possible to deal with them. One consideration is the place that you are currently into. While there are certain places in the world that don't prohibit killing these pestering flocking birds, there are other places as well that uphold ordinances regarding not killing them and or using the appropriate approaches prescribe by the rules and regulation being upheld. For example, there are certain states in US that strictly prohibit the use of guns to shoot down pigeons, as they believe that this is not a humane way in dealing with such poor creatures and also, they may cause impending accidents to inhabiting human beings nearby, including the executor himself. Such things should be taken into consideration first before taking any method or approach in dealing with pigeon control. One best way to prevent any legal ramifications and sanctions later is to know first by researching the rules pertinent to the specific area you are currently into. Libraries and the internet may come in handy when dealing with gathering information.

In UK, rules are strictly implemented when it comes to pigeon control and other bird issues on the area. The control of feral pigeons, and as well as the other birds that are endemic in the area is legislated by DEFRA or Department of Environment, Food and Rural affairs under the courtesy of the provisions of The Wildlife and Countryside Act of 1981. The laws and provisions created under the collaboration of the two legal entities have protected bird species in UK since time immemorial and have effectively preserved the species. Chapter 69 of the act mainly discusses about the proper management of wildlife, the provision of specific licenses, and of course wildlife conservation. DEFRA makes it a point to oversee and charter any necessary rules and regulations that deal with the issues regarding wildlife conservation; however, it doesn't provide any pest pigeon control services as it is no private pest extermination agency. Neither is DEFRA responsible for solving the bird issues that take place worldwide. Naturally, the responsibility of provide the necessary pigeon control solutions is a sole duty of the land or property owners themselves.

However, DEFRA provides information drives and leaflet dissemination that deliver the necessary guidance and advises on how to deal appropriately deal with pigeon problems without having to resort in any lethal means. It targets that awareness of the general public, to inform them of the possible legal sanctions they would have to undergo if they resort into the wrong means of dealing with pigeon problems. DEFRA also provides personal counsel to anyone who wishes to seek their advices regarding wildlife and or bird preservation. However, they will not be responsible for taking care of the extermination job.

The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 Definition

The definition of this act is as follows:

"An Act to repeal and re-enact with amendments The Protection of Birds Act 1954 to 1967 and the Conservation of Wild Creatures and Wild Plants Act 1975; to prohibit certain methods of killing or taking wild animals; to amend the law relating to protection of certain mammals; to restrict the introduction of certain animals and plants; to amend the Endangered Species (Import and Export) Act 1976; to amend the law relating to nature conservation; the countryside and National Parks to make provision with respect to the Countryside Commission; to amend the law relating to public rights of way; and for connected purposes."

The act is a lengthily detailed document that encompasses the different varieties of issues that concerns the preservation of the wildlife species of the area. This would mean that the act is inclusive of the pigeon control issues and all other bird problem concerns.

Commonly Encountered Problem

Despite the sincerity of the act to guide people with the necessary appropriate information regarding pigeon-control, certain specific details concerning the approaches may prove to be quite difficult to find and people may often take less interest in reading through the relevant information that the act provides. Tantamount to that difficulty is the hassling plausibility of having someone from the implementers of the act to assist and guide with you the needed information considering the sheer size of the organization that upholds the act and the numerous departments that comprise their entire organizational entity. The entire process of accessing the needed information may be time consuming and quite laborious. The initiative to counter such problems is to design the document to provide the layman with the relevant overview of the act in such a way that the entire idea of the act is made easily understandable. If a layman would react through the documents, he or she would understand immediately the implications of the act and as well as how he or she would now deal with any pigeon-related issues. One has to ensure that the approaches he or she would employ would fall under the scope of the law provided.

One thing that every individual should be wary of when dealing with pigeon control, is that despite the prevalence of the pigeon control business, one could not be fully reliant that all of these businesses are aware of the act and therefore, there is a possibility that one pigeon control firm may potentially be using approaches outside of the scope of the wildlife preservation law.

Ultrasonic Bird Deterrent

2011-08-15T04:32:00.000-07:00

There are almost all sorts of types of pigeon deterrents on the planet and they could be practically installed anywhere. All of them are built and designed for human conveniences making all of them viable options in any given circumstances and would definitely give you the kind of quality output you deserve. Some of them may entail a skyrocketing amount of investment and some of them may come in cheap and affordable. Some of them may effectively carry out the approach expediently (dealing with the pigeon problem in a short span of time) or some of them may take a while before they can be truly serving its purpose. Nevertheless, all of them are effective and it would now all boil down to the individual choice that you will make. It is important that you materialize your preference; you have to make sure that you have gathered enough information or data to support your choice. Make sure that you have made a wise investment and that you will definitely get to enjoy the quality output you deserve for the amount of investment you have made.

Gathering information regarding pigeon control is most important and imperative at the onset of a decision to be made. Obviously, the information will no longer be valuable if you have already seen through the effects and have disappointed you since it doesn't really quite fit well in your preferences. To gather information is to provide a safety net to your decision making tasks and to safeguard your monetary investments. You have to understand, the despite them all being effective in their own ways and respects, a person will always have choices over the other and that is the value of preferential choice. In order to uphold this value, research has to be done beforehand.

In this article, we will be talking about one of the most effective pigeon deterrents being used in the world today. Being one of the most effective, it would simply imply that it also one of the most popular devices being used. This device is also non-harmful to humans as it has no human side-effects and it is also nature friendly. This means that the device doesn't necessarily have to kill the pigeons that pester your house but it just simply drives them away, thus the name pigeon deterrent. This is a very important aspect of this pigeon control approach as you may have to take into consideration the rules and regulations regarding the protection of the bird species on certain areas. Killing these pigeons ever so mercilessly would cause a certain degree of harm to the natural balance, and it may also cause you to undergo particular legal ramifications along the way, which without a doubt you would avoid as much as possible. You wouldn't want worrying about the bothersome fines later because you have were ignorantly killing pigeons using the inappropriate methods of pigeon control.

This device is an electric pigeon repellent and it has been popularly purchased by a lot of people worldwide that are suffering from pestering pigeon problems. In this post, we will be discussing the advantages of using this device, and how it will be used.

The Advantages of Ultrasonic Pigeon Repellents
1. The device is relatively cheap. They normally only cost around $50 to $69 USD and that would already be inclusive of a motion sensor. The sensor is crucial in the gadgets' effectiveness, as the sensor will be the responsible for identifying the incoming bird that will be targeted.

2. Perhaps one of the most amazing things about this device is that it doesn’t have any chemical base aspects that could potentially harm human beings that dwell in the area as well. Most chemical based approaches to pigeon control will have after effects that could a person to a hospital bed. Also, unlike traps which are gargantuan and inconveniently placed everywhere, these devices are very handy and concealable, keeping your place from getting so messed and making it more difficult for birds to figure out where they are. Having been shocked by the device, birds will no longer find themselves wanting to return anywhere near your home.

3. This device can practically be installed everywhere, but it should be ideally placed on highly conducive areas for pigeon flocking. Like outdoor balconies, terraces, decks and pools.

4. The device is a high frequency sound emitting device that gives the birds a certain level of migraine once they get near to it. However, this high frequency sound that device produces is inaudible to human beings. Meaning, you can't hear it. Except of course if you have a very keen sense of hearing. Nevertheless, you will only come to hear a mild high pitch sound which can be easily condoned of course.

5. The motion sensor that the device is equipped with has a very wide coverage area. It has a range of 35 feet and a 110 degree perimeter sweep.

How to Use the Device

Step One

You have to make sure that scan through the entire perimeter and look for the places that are mostly frequented by pigeons. These places are often your rooftop, balconies or terraces. There are other places as well and it is best that you better find these areas.

Step Two

Upon finding these highly conducive areas, place the device near these areas and activate them as soon as they are installed.

Step Three

Make sure that you have replacement batteries on ready. The device may become less effective if the batteries are already failing. You have to make it a point that the batteries of the device should be changed every once in a while.

The sound emitting pigeon control device is really very easy to use and you need not have to go through reading lengthy instructions to make it work. Right after you have purchased the device, it almost ready to use. All you have to do is to install it on the right places.

Cats as Viable Pigeon Control Approach

2011-08-15T04:12:00.000-07:00

You may have a pet cat or cats inside your house and have them for the sole purpose of having company and finding comfort in their soft plush furs. However, felines may serve another role than keeping you from being alone inside your loft. Unlike dogs, which happens to be man's best friend and are often found to be extremely timid and docile; cats however, are natural born killers. They have been always the predator as they always are in the wild and you may as well assume that domestically, they are the same. You often find your cat pouncing over a loitering rodent or tagging a snack of some lost bird in its mouth. Cats will always have these tendencies of jumping into something that moves and killing it as they go. Therefore, they would most likely not take any semblance of pity or mercy to a wandered pigeon on the porch or inside your house. With that said, we can then therefore assume that cats can actually be viable pest pigeon solutions.

The History of Cats as All-Time Predators

As we all know, cats are not only pets to humans but they also are very handy utility animals as they clean up our rodent mess inside the house. And they have been doing this job ever so effectively since time immemorial and therefore have fostered a sense of trust and reliance from us. We have somehow found a sense of comfort, convenience and reprieve from them knowing that they could take care of certain problems for us and we needn't lift a finger at all for them to get it done. As we are all aware of, one of the most common problems inside the household is having pests around and there are different varieties of pests which could plausibly concur in one place and a time. Cats have been known to take care of some of these problems, making our lives quite easier. We now have grown into fondness and likeness of them and ever since humanity have always considered domesticating a cat from its smallest forms to the largest ones.

In the past few recent years, statistics have shown that there are a growing number of domesticated cats in the U.S. alone and that it has doubled in last 30 years. Having becoming massively populated they have somehow posed threat to the wildlife conservation endeavours. One thing we have to understand is that we're actually referring to two different types of cats. One type of cats belongs to human individuals as pets and the others that are found outside the house (homeless, wild and or feral).

Cats were introduced to domestication sometime around 1700's in Hawaii wherein they board sailing ships. They are somehow employed by ship personnel to deal with the rodent problems up on deck. Ever since their found usefulness, they have been traded in ports as viable pest control pets. Naturalists have also noted that cats are extremely capable of preying on birds in the forests especially, feral ones whom have found their individual comfort far from human homes.

Cats are highly adaptive, and they could blend in as efficient and powerful predators in wherever they are placed. That means they are capable of preying on different variety of animals, including different types of birds, even if they are the types that take flight, they still are not safe from the claws of this scary predators. Cats are almost found everywhere these days. Not only are they found inside human dwellings preying on rodent meals, feral cats are also found to populate the urban street areas wherein they find the convenience of accessing many types of meals for the day. Pigeons are amongst their most favorite dish as they are conveniently accessible in places where they frequently flock. For example, a residential rooftop is among the most frequented places for pigeons and those areas are just within the range of access of cats. The entire hunt will simply go down ever so easily.

In certain areas wherein, particular types of birds have evolved without mammalian predators, cats that dwell as well in these areas would find these types of birds as easy preys.

Apart from pigeons of course, seabirds are among the most frequented meals for cats. They are particularly vulnerable since they are commonly found nesting on the grounds. Naturally, that would put them within cats' reach. In Big Island, a 9,000 ft elevation on Mauna Loa, cats are still prevalent in hunting down these types of birds. Now, seabirds are no longer commonly found nesting on the grounds in these areas as they are now seen nesting offshore where they are far beyond reach of cats and mongooses.

At present, there are now a lot of advocates that support managing and or domesticating cats in order to use them to control rodent pest issues. But eventually they later on realized that the presence of domesticated cats also has impact on the bird population inside the urban areas. It gets even scarier for urban birds like pigeons, when you consider that cats often wander around looking for food even if they are already fed. At this point, they no longer kill for a meal but they are just simply trigger-happy in hunting down and killing other weak creatures. Come to think of it, cats don't just eat rats or mice and their claws could definitely find their way to the pigeons nearby.

Generalization

Cats are indeed viable options for a pest pigeon control approach. However, they could become quite uncontrollable when in you come in terms of their predation behaviors. They could almost eat anything they find killable and therefore making different types of birds unsafe from their presence. If you happen to have bird pets around, it may not be safe for them to be there anymore. You would have to pick one this time which one will you preserve to live. But overall, if you want to get rid of the pest pigeons in your house, cats may just be your kind of friend.

Pigeon Netting Maintenance

2011-08-13T03:28:00.000-07:00

The number one most significant reason why pigeons need to be controlled is their excretion. Since these birds normally habituate buildings and other structures in large flocks, the amount of excretion that the left behind can also amount to tons. Apart from the smell, their excretion is also an eyesore and a threat to human health because of the bacteria and viruses that it harbors. To avoid pigeon habituation and infestation, some owners install bird exclusion systems in their buildings, gardens and other properties. The most popular system uses nylon nets which are more commonly referred to as "pigeon netting". The netting is pretty effective in inhibiting pigeons from coming into the property. In short, the net serves as a barrier between the bird and its target roosting area. Just like all other systems built for the same purpose, nylon nets also need maintenance.

However, before we can talk about maintenance, we need to talk about the nature of bird nettings first. Almost every time, bird netting is installed by specialists because it usually covers an entire building which can be massive. Moreover, since the installation is above-ground, it will be quite difficult for someone who does not have that much knowledge on pigeon netting installation to do the task himself or herself. Unless the installation area is small, a single storey house or a tiny garden for example, do-it-yourself installation is really highly discouraged.

Now, since pigeon netting installation is supposed to be performed by a specialist, it can be expected that many contractors have already made themselves available for such kinds of services. In fact, you can search the internet for these people and expect to get thousands of results. The materials, equipment and tools needed for the installation are also widely available online. Thus, if you prefer to have this type of bird exclusion system, rest assured that you won't have to worry about how on Earth will you ever find what you need. If you don't know anything about pigeon nettings yet, you can also check the internet for blogs like this one you are reading to detailed information and instructions.

You should expect though that pest control contractors are affiliated to netting dealers so if ever you hire one, they would definitely insist on using one type or brand of pigeon netting. These contractors would get an extra commission for every client who gives in to the brand that they endorse. While you can be almost certain that the contractors will not recommend a brand that is not durable (at least to maintain his/her credibility), the problem with the nylon nets that they endorse is that these nets are usually overpriced in order to cover the commissions that the contractors give. This practice actually makes nylon netting expensive, giving some people that a bird exclusion system using nylon nets is not at all practical. Nevertheless, if you know well enough, you would see that nylon nets are inexpensive and you can actually buy the nets and pay for the installation separately.

Reminder

However, if you are particular with animal welfare, you should know that pigeon nets account for the most deaths of pigeons living in the urban setting. While the nets do not appear harmful at all, because of the size of the meshes in the net, many pigeons often find themselves trapped in it, killing them in the process because of starvation. If you do not like the sound of this, explore your other options -- you can try anti-perching and anti-roosting spikes. You can read more about these spikes in my other entries in this blog site, just check the article archive below.

Why is Maintenance Important?

Nylon net is installed by fastening its ends into a base that stretches it so that it can property cover a building or garden. Because of this set-up, nets have to be maintained regularly in order to make sure that the tension in the net is just right to stop birds from flying in. Nets which are not properly stretched will be "baggy". When a strong wind hits a baggy net, the hog rings that attach the ends of the net to the building might fail and the net will fall out. This condition can lead to two things: 1. The entire system will fail at certain points or 2. The net will tear apart. Either of these two is not a pretty result since the installation costs much. You need to know that these conditions are very common because many property owners do not really maintain their pigeon nets as much as they should. However, it should be noted that while maintenance can be costly, re-installation is more expensive.

How much will the maintenance cost?

Like what has been said earlier, the actual net is inexpensive. It only becomes expensive because of the contractors recommending specific brands that give them commissions. But beyond that fact is an ugly truth; everything about pigeon netting can be really expensive. For example, one needs to rent a scissor lift for the installation and this equipment has to be rented for at least £1000.00 per day. The same equipment is also used for repair work, so the whole process can be really financially draining. However, many property owners still prefer to have this option because it does not alter the overall structure of their property and at the same time, the nets are aesthetically pleasing to the eye.

Nevertheless, in order to entice clients, pigeon net installations contractors would often offer service guarantees (some reaching up to 10 years). Within this period, the property owner is assured of a free or a low-cost maintenance service, as well as repair services when needed. Installation services with such guarantees are often more expensive by they are the best options for a property owner who is looking for a long-term pigeon infestation protection. However, some contractors tend to be tricky in the declaration of their guarantees. They would ask owners to maintain the nets in accordance to their guidelines (which can be really difficult) and would not give the guaranteed services if they are not convinced that the owner did follow the guidelines. It is up to the owner to discern which contractor is truthful to their offers and which are not.

Anti-roosting Pigeon Spikes Products: Plastic Spikes

2011-08-13T03:18:00.000-07:00

To make everything simple, let me make it clear that many specialists and property owners consider pigeon spikes as the most cost-efficient and effective device that can be used to exclude pest pigeons in buildings and other structures. There are some experts who say that spikes are 100% effective in stopping pigeons from perching and roosting in a specific area. They also agree that these spikes are cost-efficient because it does it does not need to be maintained quite too often and its can last for a long time. The spikes come in two different materials, steel and plastic. Steel spikes have already been discussed in my other entry entitled "An Extensive Review on Anti-roosting Pigeon Spikes Products: Steel Spikes", you can look for this post at the bottom of this page (down in the archive section). This particular article will focus more on plastic spikes and the different applications and considerations associated to it.

One thing that makes pigeon spikes more popular is that fact that it is very easy to install, so easy really, that almost anyone can do it! That means that if the owner no longer needs the services of a specialist to have the spikes in his or her property, if he or she chooses to do it himself or herself, he can do so. Moreover, such spikes do not only deter pigeon perching and roosting, they can also stop the other birds from doing the same. Unlike nets which have mesh sizes which are specific to bird types (50 by 50 millimetres for pigeons, 25 by 25 millimetres for sparrows, etc.), owners no longer need to worry about having the right mesh size to repel the right birds. Pigeon spikes can repel all sorts of birds at the same time.

Between the two types of spikes (steel and plastic), the plastic ones are known for their price. These types of spikes are usually more affordable than the previous one and they are easier to install too. However, when it comes to longevity, of course the steel spikes win. It is up to the owner to determine which of these two factors will he or she value more, either he or she chooses to give more value to longevity or to money. Whatever is chosen, there is always a guarantee that the owner of the property will not regret his or her choice.

Plastic Anti-roosting spikes

Plastic spikes are also easier to install than the steel one. such spikes can also come in many different colors and textures depending on how the owner of the property wants them to look like. The spikes can be effectively concealed from public view too because of its size. This means that the spikes can be installed in many areas in the building, including the narrower ones which ordinary exclusion systems cannot. It can be installed in the gutters, awning, cabling, eaves, louvers, pipes, chimneys, roofs and all the other architectural features which are prone to pigeon perching. Thus, even the housing of the air conditioners, the I-beams and the glass canopies of the building can be protected from the pigeons too.

It is better if the anti-roosting and anti-perching spikes are installed before pigeons even begin to habituate the area. In almost every situation, prevention is always better than cure. When the pigeons are already occupying the area, chances are, they have already done visible damages in the building. So, the owner would have to hire someone to clean their mess up and repair the damages that they have made. The entire process can cost the owner a lot, something which could have been avoided if the anti-perching spikes are installed before it all happened.

Nevertheless, many experts say that it is also a good thing if the spikes are installed after an infestation has already taken place. That way, the owner can be sure which specific area in his or her property really needs the spikes. One unique trait of pigeons is that after they figure out that the area which they used to perch is no longer "available" because of the spikes, they will simply look of another building and not for a new area in the same building. This means that if you exclude them from the area where they are used to perch, you are also excluding them from your entire building!

Additional Information

There is still a slim chance that pigeons will only relocate within the same building if the other building surround it is not "available" for perching and roosting too. If this is the case, it will be helpful if the owner of the property would hire a specialist to identify which areas in his or her property are conducive for pigeon perching so that they areas can be protected. Although the installation of anti-roosting spikes into every portion of the building which is prone to pigeon habituation can be a little costly because of the number of spikes which the owner has to buy, this is still the best way to be certain that the building is thoroughly protected. It is a good investment actually, plus, if the owner buys spikes in large quantity, there is a very high chance that he or she will be given huge discounts by the dealer of the spikes.

Special Considerations for Plastic Spikes

Plastic spikes should not be installed when the atmospheric temperature is about 45 degree Celsius or when it is below 5 degrees Celsius. This is because plastic can shrink or expand depending on the temperature around it. If the spikes are installed while they are not in their normal state, tendency is, the fixings will not hold perfectly when the temperature stabilizes again. The spikes should not be installed while it is raining too or when the surface where it is meant to be installed is wet and slippery. Before installation, the surface should be thoroughly cleaned, making sure that all the excretions (guano) of the bird have been removed from the area.

Pigeon Facts

2011-08-11T03:36:00.000-07:00

Ever seen a pigeon in your life? Do you know how they look like? How do they behave? What do they eat to live? How do they affect human beings' existence? Are they advantageous to have around or do they pose risk or threat to our very existence? These are just some of the common questions we ask ourselves when we encounter the idea of understanding a creature, in this case pigeons. They can be just questions to some. However, to a few critical people in this planet, knowing the answers to these questions would entail a deeper understanding and consequentially care and appreciation for the species. They deem to gaining sufficient knowledge about the pigeon species will enable them to know their roles as well in their relationship with bird species as well to the other interrelated species of the planet. From there they will know what to do in case they would ever see one, or in case they would encounter certain issues and or problems from the pigeon's presence. Therefore, it is understood, that for us to become better rationally understand individuals, we have to learn more about the things around us. That would include understanding pigeons as well and what they are in our human lives.

More often than not, pigeons are considered as pests rather than pets in the range of human existence. This is frankly because they do cause more direct trouble to human beings rather than giving them a sense of convenience. This is also the primary reason why most people would rather not seek the real understanding on pigeons and would instead delve into looking for the most potent of ways to get rid of them. And then, that’s the only thing they would ever know by then with pigeons.

While this is an okay course of action, there should still be an added necessity to know more about the biological nature of pigeons as this is a better course of action. Knowing more about pigeons will not only enable you to understand them but will also enable you to know the appropriate effective ways on how to deal with them without having to kill them at all. Perhaps most people believe in this strategy, however, this is by far the most effective and efficient way to become truly appropriate in addressing any pigeon problems that may arise.

In this article we will be discussing about the natural biological backdrop of pigeons from its nomenclatures, classification of species, range, habitats and their diet. Hopefully the information you will get out from this article will be able to help you in your undertakings with our little creature friends with feathers.

Pigeons

Pigeon is actually a common name of a family of birds and are practically comprised of different classifications. The smaller of species of this family of birds are called doves, however, their sizes overlap. Pigeons are most prevalent in the warmer regions of the planet. They are also pretty many that their massive population had made it more difficult for human beings to control them. They have then somehow infiltrated to human territories thus regarding them as nuisance in many urban areas.

Description

Pigeons are easy to identify in terms of their physical appearance. They usually have quite small heads, short necks, and short legs as well. They also have some sort of a sleek plumage and often have waxy of fleshy protuberance at the cere which is located underneath their bills. They are usually found of course dwelling in trees, but for those that have migrated in the urban territories, they are often found flocking in the rooftops and some of them would even nest there. Their main diet is on seeds, acorns, fruits, nuts and small insects. When pigeons fly, they are often found to swarm and they fly rapidly. They are most commonly noted for their cooing voices. Pigeons don't build rigid nests but rather loose and flat nest of twigs. Sometimes they use straws, barks, and weeds to build their nests and they keep it that way to ensure the coolness would be maintained and as well as for proper ventilation. A female pigeon produces one or two white or tan eggs in every litter.

Common Species

Perhaps the most common species of dove in the planet would have been the passenger pigeon. However, their species have gone extinct sometime around early 1900's because of a massive hunt for their meat as an ingredient for a certain American delicacy. At the moment, the most common of all pigeon species are the rock doves. The ancestors of rock doves came from the continents of Europe and Asia where they are native. Typically, rock doves are about 13 inches long and would have long bluish grey above and with certain black markings in their rumps and wings.

Scientific Classification

Pigeons actually comprise the family Columbidae, a part of the higher order of Columbiformes. Then the common pigeons are classified under the Columba livia classification. The white crowned pigeon which is also apparently one of the most common pigeon species are classified under the Columba leucocephala order and the band-tailed pigeons in the Columba fasciata. The extinct species of passenger pigeons are in a different family order, the Ectopistes migratorius. So far these are the most common species of pigeons found in the planet and these are their classifications.

Generalization

Some people may find this information quite futile to their current undertakings with the pigeon problems. However, if one would just find the heart and will to use this information in dealing with pigeons, they can be really quite invaluable. For example, knowing the specific type of species of pigeons you have encountered would enable you to employ the appropriate methods to catch them without killing them. Knowing their habitats would also help you in the process of returning them to their rightful places. That way they can better thrive in their existence without infringing the human territories and thus not causing us any problems in the near future.

Click here for more facts about pigeons and other birds.

An Extensive Review on Anti-Roosting Pigeon Spike Products: Steel Spikes

2011-08-11T03:26:00.000-07:00

For obvious reasons, the use of spikes is considered to be the most effective anti-roosting and anti-perching method used in controlling feral pigeons in urban areas. Anti-roosting spikes are now widely used to discourage feral pigeons that come in large flocks from roosting in commercial buildings and other sites. Nevertheless, these spikes are also used for residential applications to control a handful of birds. This popularity can be greatly attributed to the simplicity of the installation of this control product. In fact, homeowners can install these spikes on their own even by simply following some basic instructions.

Pigeon spikes come in two different materials: steel and plastic. This particular article will focus on steel pigeon spikes but if you are interested to know more about plastic spikes, just read my other post entitled: "An Extensive Review on Anti-Roosting Pigeon Spike Products: Plastic Spikes". You can find this article in the article archive list below.

Steel spikes can be installed in almost all types of surfaces (brick, wood, concrete, canvas, glass and metal). Many commercial establishments prefer to use steel spikes because they are very durable and they usually last long without experiencing serious damages despite varying weather conditions. However, because of the material used, steel spikes are also expensive, making it not affordable to most people who would only use the spikes to protect their homes. In short, the main difference between steel and plastic spikes (apart from the obvious that they are made from different materials) is their price.

These spikes are adhered to the surface using silicone gel, but in some cases, these spikes are also be adhered to surfaces using nails, cable ties and screws. In some applications, the spikes are mounted on ply boards which are then laid on the surfaces where feral pigeons normally perch. The latter method is the most popular one, especially to property owners who do not value aesthetic appearance that much, because it does not require serious alteration of the original appearance of the building's surface unlike other methods which basically make the fixings permanent. Spikes mounted on ply boards can be easily removed and placed somewhere else when the perching in one particular area stops (though that is not a wise idea because pigeons might just come back and perch in that area again).

One thing that's impressive about steel spikes is their flexibility when it comes to how they can be used. Originally, these spikes are designed for vertical application, but after a couple of trials, the spikes have been proven to be effective for horizontal applications too (even upside down!). Feral pigeons have cunning ways to perch and roost in buildings, using all sorts of unimaginable positions. Thus, spikes which can be installed in many different ways are really very useful.

Benefits of Steel Spikes

At first glance, it might seem that steel spikes can kill pigeons. Well, it may actually kill these birds if they are completely mindless winged animals that will speed up into sharp spikes to get themselves stabbed, but they are not. Pigeons are intelligent birds and they will not land on surfaces which can cause them discomfort, so much more those that can harm them. Thus, the only thing that the spikes does is "send the birds a message" that the surface is no longer "available". In fact, the use of steel spikes is considered to be humane and non-deadly to birds, as compared to the other means used to control them.

Various pigeon control agencies and organizations like the "Pigeon Control Advisory Service" (PiCAS) and the "Royal Society for the Protection of Birds" (RSPB) even encourage the owners of commercial buildings and other areas to use steel spikes to control the pigeons that roost and perch in their properties. This method of pigeon control is very effective and it does not require too many intricacies too.

Although spikes appear to be the more harmful one, pigeon nettings actually accounts for most of the deaths of feral pigeons in the city. Of all the birds that live in the urban setting, pigeons are thought of as the most intelligent. Thus, the presence of the spikes is enough for the pigeons to understand that the surface is no longer safe for them. However, pigeon nettings do not look harmful at all. What happens then is that pigeons rush into these nets "assuming" that they are safe and then end up trapping themselves in between the net's meshes. These birds will not be able to free themselves and without an external help, they can die in these nets because of hunger.

Steel Spike Installation

Before the purchase is made, steel spike dealers normally inspect the surfaces of the property where the spikes are supposed to be installed. This is done so that the owner will know how many spikes are needed to completely cover the entire area. The spikes also come in different heights and widths; the selection of which spikes which best suit the area depends on the inspection. In most cases, the inspection and the spikes are charged separately. In such arrangements, the owner of the property will have to rent vertical lifts which are needed in the inspection. The rent is usually very affordable. Some dealers offer free inspection services, although it can be expected that they sell their spikes at a higher price.

It is also wise for the owner to buy about 10% more spikes from the same dealer just to cover for possible damages and miscalculations. It is not a waste of money because many dealers accept the return of unused spikes. The advantage of having spare spikes in hand is that the speed of the installation will not be affected by whatever problems related to the materials. Without spare spikes, the owner might need to wait for a couple of days more just to get his or her additional orders. During this period, pigeons may have continued to roost and perch in the area where the spikes are not yet installed.

Understanding Pigeons

2011-08-11T03:15:00.000-07:00

Pigeons are amongst the most prevalent species of creatures in the planet and they are often also considered as pest since their sheer numbers have lead to the infiltration of human territories. However, there is more to understand about pigeons than just regarding them as pests. In fact pigeons are terrific creatures and there is definitely a lot of interesting things you will get to know about them if you try to comprehend their nature.

Despite the pigeons' prevalence, some of their species are already at the brink of extinction and even some of them are already extinct. That simply implies that even their multitude; they still need to be given importance and care. Vulnerable species as they are, they are in the risk of being wiped out from the planet simply because they can be easily destroyed. Considering the level of technology we have at present, destroying the rest of their species can virtually be done with just one click of the button.

Even if pigeons are considered as pests, it is still utterly outright to kill them right on. One would have to understand the important role that pigeons play in the entire ecological balance. Killing them, would simply gradually disrupt that balance and would eventually lead to certain catastrophic consequences. That's why instead of employing lethal methods of getting rid of pigeons, one would instead simply use the approaches that will safeguard the wellbeing of the species and at the same time get rid of them efficiently. This is perhaps the most viable way to give importance to the pigeon's role and existence, as well as giving importance to the general environment.

Another way to appreciate the existence and role of pigeons in the ecosystem is to understand their biological nature. That would entail learning about their species and all that follows with it, i.e. habitat, diet, range, etc. All these things would have to be learned and understood to truly foster a sense of care towards pigeons and neglect them by using or employing methods that can definitely rear towards the destruction of a crucial species.

Learning about pigeons may be deemed as a waste of time to some people. They are over-reliant that since there is a massive population of them that thrive in the world, it's completely condonable to eliminate some or a few many of them. Thinking, that it wouldn't really affect anything in the end since there will still be enough left to pursue their species. However, that's a wrong understanding to how things really work in reality. One example is the extinction of the passenger pigeon species which took place not so long ago. People thought that they could just simply be trigger-happy in killing this species of pigeons since there's just too many of them to have around. Passenger pigeons were the largest population of birds in the North American continent. However, people started to hunt them down massively for their meat and eventually have lead to the extinction of the species. This sad reality that took place is not far from happening now. Especially with how convenient things are now with the introduction of advance technologies, killing them all would simply be just a walk in the park if humanity ever wanted to.

Pigeons Role in the Eco-Balance

It's a no-brainer if you wish to understand pigeons really. It doesn't even have to be rocket science to understand their species. Just by simply looking at them as they fly over the skies and land to sit and rest, you can immediately comprehend the role they give to the balance of nature. But what we do need to understand this is an open eye. It is always that more often than not we close our eyes in the simplest of things. We often regard the simple things small and insignificant and because they provide less relevance to our productivity and advantage we never take the time to pause and think, let alone dig deeper to a better understand of these simple things. These would include the pigeons' existence on earth.

The role of the pigeons is quite simple: they are a food source to many creatures that take them as a part of their diet. In short, they are viable preys to a lot of species of predators on the planet. Among the primary species that feed on pigeons are the hawks. Hawks favorite meal is pigeons since they are conveniently within the range of access of these predators. Also creatures such as owls, falcons, and certain species of cats also include pigeons as their primary source of diet. If you do take them out of the equation, imagine how many species of predators will lose a big portion of its diet. The deprivation of food source among these creatures will definitely lead to dire consequences. You can almost paint a picture of what will happen after if the deprivation would take place.

Another very important role of pigeons on the planet that we often do not know about is that they are crucial factors for plant pollination process. Without them, plants, especially flowers will find it difficult to reproduce sufficiently throughout the areas of the world. Pigeons often find themselves resting in forest areas wherein plants are dominant. The organic attachment between plants and pigeons will give the plants an opportunity to attach their pollens or reproductive seedlings to the pigeon feathers. As pigeons travel across places, they carry along with them nodes for plant reproduction. Imagine, if there would be no pigeons that exist, consider the amount of setback it will give to the reproduction process of plants.

There are quite a number of roles that pigeons play. Some of them are even very unique and specific. For example, a pigeon species found in Africa plays the hygienic role of cleaning up the dental area of alligators and crocodiles. It's some sort of a symbiotic relationship wherein, the pigeon can also benefit from cleaning up the crocs razor teeth by feeding on the food residues.

Cleaning Internal Areas Soiled by Pigeon Droppings

2011-08-10T02:06:00.000-07:00

In the context of pigeon control, cleaning of droppings simply means the removal of the pigeon excrement called guano. Such droppings accumulate in different areas because of the birds' roosting and perching behaviors. While the droppings can soil both the building and its surrounding area, this article will simply focus on the soiling that happens in the building itself. Throughout this article, the term "internal areas" will be used to refer to any type of building, whether presently occupied by pigeons or not, which shows visible signs of guano soiling.

Pigeons normally occupy the roof void of the building, commercial or residential, because it is usually dry and away from human presence. Quite surprisingly, because of the nature of the location in the building where they inhabit, a number of pigeons can live in the roof void for years without giving the owner of the property a hint that a massive infestation is already happening. Pigeons are able to enter the roof void through slipped-off roof tile or damaged gutters.

Nevertheless, it is not in the residential buildings that pigeons are most fond of roosting in large numbers. These birds often come in large flocks to derelict and industrial buildings. According to some reports, there are extreme cases when the guano left by the roosting pigeons would accumulate to such a great volume that its weight was sufficient to bring down an entire floor within that building. One of the most classic example of such a case happened in Newcastle. Every once in a while, the Tyne Bridge found in this place is accessed to clean out the accumulated guano in it. Records show that the last time it was accessed for that purpose, the amount of guano removed reached 12 tons! Of course, this does not always happen to all the properties where pigeons perch and roost. However, it does show just how much guano can pigeons produce and if these excrements are not cleaned out, apart from aesthetic reasons, problems would definitely arise.

What You Need?

Guano should be dealt with utmost precaution. Although it is not harmful in itself, because of its "friendliness" to harmful bacteria and viruses it can harbour diseases which might compromise your health if you are not careful enough. Thus, proper equipment and clothing must be worn when cleaning out guano. These are:

1. Disposable Overalls

Majority of the guano clean-up operations involve the removal of well-dried excrements. Now, when a deposit of well-dried guano is disturbed, it is very likely that dust-like particles will rise up and mix with the air. Guano-contaminated air may pose considerable health threats to the people who breathe it. Almost immediately, the dust can cause minor discomforts in breathing, irritation of the nose and coughing. Those with a pre-existent medical condition related to their respiratory system will suffer more serious problems. Nevertheless, it is almost certain that guano dust is not deadly or fatal in any way. But, to mitigate whatever health risk that dust can bring, it is important for the cleaner to wear overalls. The risk does not have to be so great before precaution becomes imperative, right? A complete overall should include a paper face mask apart from the suit that the cleaner has to wear. More advanced overalls have full face masks attached to a breathing apparatus.

2. Disposable Gloves

Of course, it will be futile if the cleaner will wear a mask and yet leave his or her hands unprotected. While it is not possible for the bacteria and viruses in the guano to seep into the cleaner's skin, they can enter through wounds and other lacerations. It will be safer if the cleaner will work with his or her hands covered and protected so that when accidents happen, the problem will not be aggravated. Moreover, the cleaner should remember that despite having worn the gloves, it is still very important for him or for her to wash his or her hands thoroughly before using them for some other purposes, most especially for eating and for drinking. It is necessary that water for washing purposes is readily available in the site where the cleaning operation is conducted. The cleaner must use disinfecting soaps in washing.

3. Nitrile Rubber Gloves

These gloves are normally used before the actual cleaning procedure. The gloves are used for protection during the onset inspection when the area is still probed for possible dangers and other risks. It should be remembered that in large-scale clean-up operations, these dangers are normally always present.

The Cleaning Process

The best way to start is to remove all the pigeon nests in the area. The nests are usually located on the floor of the roof void; pigeons rarely build their nests at a height, thus if you are conducting the inspection, be extra careful with your steps as you might step on the pigeon chicks on the nest. Once you find a nest with chicks or eggs in it, you are obliged by the law to contact a wildlife rehabilitator to secure the birds for possible rearing. If the site is large, you can be very certain that more than one nest is lying on the floor. Make sure that you have thoroughly inspected the area before you signal the cleaning team to start.

Once the cleaning operation starts, it should continue until the end without ceasing. It should be remembered that if the cleaning operation is left for the next day, the pigeons might just come back during the night to roost again and everything will be as messy as it was before the cleaning operation started. Right after the site is cleared with all the dependent chicks and eggs, all entry and exit points to the roof void must be sealed off so that re-infestation will not happen.

The most important tool used in large-scale pigeon guano cleaning is the shovel. Essentially, because pigeons tend to roost or perch in large numbers, the amount of guano that they can leave behind will definitely give the cleaners a hard time. The entire process requires a lot of hard work too. Dried-up guano has to be sprayed with water first before they can be removed, then after all the guano is gone, the surface of the roof void has to be scrubbed with soap before it is finally rinsed with hot water. But much of the work is actually during the transport for of the guano. In most cases, the excretions have to be bagged or carried out on a wheelbarrow. This procedure has to be repeatedly performed until all the guano in the roof void is transferred out. This task becomes even more difficult because of the fact that the roof void is located on top of the building. Guano bags can't be transported via the elevator because of their smell, thus, cleaners have to carry these bag by hand down the stairs until they reach the ground floor!

Basic Guide on Pest Pigeon Netting

2011-08-10T01:55:00.000-07:00

Nylon nets have long been use to protect properties from pigeons in both rural and urban areas. In the rural setting, the nets are used to repel pigeons and other birds from damaging crops and other agricultural produce. On the other hand, these nets are used in the cities and other urbanized areas to repel pigeons from habituating buildings and other structures which they damage through their excretions. Over the past few years, nylon nets have maintained their credibility in stopping pigeons from damaging properties.

In the cities, pigeons are typically considered as pests because of their excretions. Because these birds stick together to form large flocks, they also tend to leave behind large amounts of excretion in the area where they roost or perch. Their excretions, also known as pigeon guano, have very strong chemicals that can soil the appearance of buildings and structures. Apart from the obvious soiling, the guano can also penetrate through the materials used in the construction of these buildings and weaken their structures causing premature structural failures. On top of these problems, guano is also known to harbour dangerous diseases and illnesses because of the viruses and bacteria that live in it. Thus, although pigeons do not cause direct damages to properties unlike rats and mice, these birds still qualifies as pests to most people in the city.

The Standard Net

Ideally, the most effective nylon net used for pigeon control has a mesh size of 50 by 50 millimetres each. This size is just enough to stop pigeons from penetrating the barrier but is wide enough to allow other non-pest birds to enter. There are some nests that have smaller mesh sizes but pigeon control experts agree that these nests should not be used because it also discourages other birds from perching in buildings, which of course can add to the aesthetic value of the property. On the other hand, mesh sizes which are larger than 50 by 50 millimetres are considered ineffective and is just a waste of money.

The standard net is weaved using a thick strand of nylon. This strand is composed of 6 other stands that are 0.012 inches in diameter. The final strand has a cross-sectional area of about 0.07 inches and a total tensile strength of 52 pounds. Because the net has to be installed outdoors, it is also designed to withstand varying temperatures, the lowest being -110 degrees Celsius and the highest is 115 degree Celsius. During the production of these nets, machines pre-stretch them in order to be sure that they are installed in the buildings; their dimensions will no longer change because of specific conditions.

To blend with the buildings where they are installed, the nets also come in different colours; the most popular ones are black, grey and translucent. However, there are many property owners who ask for custom-made nylon nets to perfectly suit the external appearance of their building. Custom-made nylon nets are normally more expensive that the pre-colored ones but in most cases, clients who order for such end up being happy with the end-product that they receive. Nevertheless, customization is only popular in urban applications.

As an added feature, the nets are also designed to not absorb water. As we all know, water can cause fast disintegration of the net. Thus, because it is designed to repel water, the life of the net is also lengthening. It is also UV protected and it can withstand different types of weather conditions. According to its manufacturers, such nylon nets can stay intact and working for about 10 years or more depending on different factors.

Most Common Pigeon Net: Suspension System

For pigeon control applications, it was made clear that the 50 by 50 millimetres mesh size is most appropriate. Nevertheless, some people also use 100 by 100 millimetres and 28 by 28 millimetres mesh sizes for the same purpose. The first one is actually used for gull control while the latter one is for starlings. But some people use any one of these nets in the hope that it can repel all kinds of birds. Now, although this strategy can be effective sometimes, if the intention of the property owner is to really protect his or her property from pigeons, then he or she should stick to the 50 by 50 millimetre guideline.

Now, since pigeons prefer to roost or perch on the roof void of the building, it is important that the owner of the property also install the net around this area. Since the roof void is normally found in the highest portion of the building, the best way install a net around it is by using the suspension system wherein the net is "suspended" over the roof void to repel the pigeons. This type of installation is often too difficult for a newbie to try, thus it is most advised that the property owner hire a pigeon control contractor to do the job. However, for residential application (wherein the building is not that high), the owner may opt to buy a netting kit instead. The kit includes all the tools that the owner will need in order to install a suspension system bird netting.

Netting Types

It should be noted that the pigeon netting used for exclusion of these birds may vary depending on the type of the application. In a broad classification, it can be said that there are two types of netting: 1. Oriented and 2. Extruded. The first one referred to the type of net that is normally installed horizontally. This net can either be made from polyethylene or polypropylene but whichever the material used it, during production this net is tested by stretching until it maximum tensile strength is determined. This test makes sure that the net can be used for high tensile applications while remaining to be light-weight. The other type is more focused on the mesh sizes. These types of nets are manufactured to have uniform mesh sizes unlike the other nets which are simply knotted or woven together forming irregularly sized meshes. These nets are manufactured to be such because they are meant to be "displayed". Extruded nets are usually installed on walls and other surfaces that are highly visible. Its most common application is for predator control, water filtration and of course, pigeon repulsion.

Pigeon Predators

2011-08-09T02:43:00.000-07:00

Pigeons, small creatures as they are would naturally have enemies that would come after and devour them. Predators would always be around waiting for the chance to pounce on their prey and pigeons will have to do everything that they can to prevent themselves from getting killed. If they end up getting captured, it would definitely mean the end of their small lives. Come to think of it, pigeons were never really made to become predators, but prey to a lot of species of animals in the planet. That's why they do the best they can to prevent such animals from turning them into meals. Generally, pigeons are easy prey to their predators, considering that they have nothing else left for defence than their speed of flight. However, they're not even that fast of a bird to begin with. That's why they get captured ever so easily more often than not.

Hopefully, this article will be able to outline and describe the most common predators of pigeons and the information will probably help you if ever you have pet pigeons at home. Here are some of the most common predators of pigeons.

Hawks, Falcons, Sparrows

Hawks are the natural born enemies of any birds and particularly pigeons. What's surprisingly odd though is that not all hawks are bird eaters, however, if presented the opportunity of attacking one, it will. Even a small bird like pigeons will never be spared. The most common type of hawks found to usually attack pigeons are the Cooper's hawks, Goshawks, Sharp Shinned hawks, Sparrow Hawks, Peregrine falcons, Kestrels, and all the other bird hunting raptors. They are the most feared birds by any pigeon. If pigeons will be able to detect any of these birds on flight in search for food, pigeons will do the best they can to scurry away from the clear and present danger. However, equipped with stealth and speed, no matter how hard the pigeon tries to escape, the still wound up in the talons of the powerful bird predators. As if is almost undisputed that the predators will surely capture the targeted pigeon and it's not because the predators have superb hunting skills, but pigeons are just too weak to do anything about themselves from getting killed.

Falcons normally use their speed to speed their way to their impending prey. Once near its target, it could either stoop or dive to catch the prey off guard and before the pigeon knows it, it's already torn into minces. Coopers, sharpies, goshawks, don't attack their pigeon prey at front but they prefer to scour and take their prey by surprise. Their instincts would tell them that they would make a certain catch if they take their targets right when they are most vulnerable and unexpecting. A lot of hawk species however, are generally not bird eaters yet still they attack pigeons on plain sight. Omnivorous species as they are, they do not really discount having meat for meals every once in a while. And what could be more convenient than to have a poor, weak and defenceless pigeon presenting itself to the predators.

Owls

Owls are not picky. That's one thing for certain. Owls have a diversified diet basis and they could practically eat anything just so they can survive. Owls are also very wise creatures as they would immediately learn to adapt their hunting approaches to appropriate the kind of prey they are targeting. Owls are nocturnal though, and pigeons need to worry about them in broad daylight as these predators are most likely asleep. However, the thrill begins when it's the other way around wherein; the pigeons are the one sleeping. Then again, they have presented themselves to an open opportunity of becoming a prey to the nocturnal hunters. And what could be swifter than to attack the pigeon while it's not conscious of what's happening around them. Owls are very dangerous predators to pigeons, considering that they fly silently due to their highly developed feathers that prevent flight noises. However, a healthy pigeon may have the advantage to escape the clutches of a hungry owl at daylight.

Cats

Felines have always been a potential threat to pigeons since time immemorial. It's a good thing actually that we don't find lions and tigers roaming freely in the urban areas, but these two species of cats would most likely not bother making a meal out of creatures as small as pigeons. However, humans do have a lot to worry about with them around. On the other hand, the smaller members of the family will most likely find pigeons as quite delectable as well as conveniently accessible. Bobcats and lynx are amongst the most frequent predators of pigeons in the more urban areas. Domestic cats can also be pigeon predators. That's why often pet pigeons inside the house aren't always safe with a cat around. You would really have to make sure that your pigeon cage is well-built, otherwise, it might just give in and give away your pigeon to your cat's tummy.

Dogs

Dogs aren't actually full pledge meat eaters and they definitely do not take pleasure in feeding on small helpless birds as they can be quite busy dealing with making sure that the house is safe and pleasing their masters. However, dog fangs may sometimes find their way in a pigeon's neck if they are somehow caught up in rare opportunities that they cross path. Animals as dogs are, they have the instinct to pounce on anything that peculiarly moves. And if ever they do get to kill a helpless pigeon that crossed their path, they will most likely just leave the bloody carcass behind for other creatures to feed on.

Mice and Rats

This kind of pigeon predators don't do the hunting themselves, but they let other do the hunting for them or they just simply wait for the pigeon to come to them already lifeless. They often feed on pigeons when they are given the opportunity to pounce on something that is already helpless or driven out of life.

Crested Pigeons

2011-08-09T02:27:00.000-07:00

In almost everything that we read through the internet regarding pigeons, it is always about how to deal with them as pests. We constantly search for articles that talk about ways on how to control or get rid of them but we rarely look for topics that talk about them not as pests. Is it really because that the rest of the world considers them as full pledged pests that brings about nothing but nuisance to the human race; destruction of properties and impedance to productivity? Do they have no other purpose other than that? Or is it just that we always never fail to look at the bad side of things but barely even notice that the simplest great things?

Pigeons are never really the creatures of destruction. Unlike the other regarded pests such as rats and termites that are truly considered harbingers of destruction, pigeons on the other hand are simply just harmless creatures being in the wrong places. They don't feed on valuable properties or destroy anything, but they only do cause problems when they sit around rooftops and drop dumps everywhere. This is the only generic problem with pigeons and that in itself isn't really a gargantuan task to tackle. Especially with the advancements of technology we now have these days, such problems could be dealt with without executing considerable amount of efforts and labor.

Pigeons should not be hated. Instead they should be appreciated. Of course you would have to deal with the problems they cause to your house when they swarm, but destroying isn't the appropriate course of action in retribution to the issues they give you. In fact, pigeons should be taken cared of because despite their multitude in population, their species are highly susceptible to endangerment. A sustaining killing routing of these pigeons will eventually lead to the destruction of the species like what happened to one of its family species, the passenger pigeons that were once the most numerous birds in the world now reduced to extinction.

There are other pigeon species in the world that also needs taking care of. Slowly they dwindle in numbers and it won t be any time soon that their species will also be wiped out in the face of the earth just like their other relatives. However, protection of these species should not only be limited to them but they have to be to all the species of pigeons that exist in the world. We can catalyze that progressive action by starting with not killing the pigeons as we see them drift near our homes but by simply capturing them and relocating them back to their natural habitats. Also, we can start becoming advocates to safeguarding the species of pigeons by learning more about them starting with learning one of their species and being able to identify them wherever they are present.

In this article we will talk about one of the several endangered species of pigeons on the planet. It is important that we get to know these species of pigeons so that we will be able to identify them once we see them. Identifying them would prevent us from taking any dangerous actions and as well as prevent others who will as well. We will be talking about the crested pigeons that are endemic in Australia.

The Crested Pigeons

Crested pigeons are not really that large of a pigeon as their sizes could only range from 30-35 cm and they could only weigh from 120-230 grams. They are widespread in their range; however, the number of their species is considerably reduced in the outside of their natural habitats. Also, their total number of species is relatively small and should still be considered as nearly endangered therefore, actions that threaten the species should be curbed. Like what was said earlier, crested pigeons are endemic to the Australian continent.

Description

It's not really that hard to identify a crested pigeon as they have certain unique characteristics that make them easily distinguishable. However, when you do see one, don't hurt it and try your best to do something to keep it safe from the possible dangers that might come to it. The upper parts of the crested pigeon are greyish brown. Crested pigeons have very noticeable black scapulars and barring in the coverts of their wings. Also, the coverts possess different varying colors such as tertials, greaters and secondaries have a glossy metallic characteristic in its color. They also poses prominent white fringes in its body. Most of its tail is grey brown, however, the color fades when it reaches the tip.

Often the side of its neck as well as its breast are colored lightly with vinous pink. They have vents that are buffy-grey color. The coverts of their undertail are much more dark grey.

The head of a crested pigeon is colored with soft grey in some of its parts and has a conspicuously long crest (thus the name). The crest is colored grey in its base and black on its tip. Usually the crest is erect and the nape is colored dark grey. The color of their bill would be grey to black with a grey base. The color of their eyes is orange with a pinkish red ring outside.

Habitat

Crested pigeons can often be found inhabiting in dry grasslands near some water deposits which can be a source of sustenance water. They also live in dry open woodlands, often near Eucalyptus trees and some water deposits. Crested pigeon don't like humid, moister environments and would not like damp surroundings. They also drift away from places with arid terrestrials with no or less trees around. However, crested pigeons are able to live through the urban areas of Australia and they have somehow well adapted in the certain disturbed environments.

Range

The crested pigeons can be found in almost all places in Australia but they are most common in the Kangaroo Islands wherein they find the island as the most suitable habitat for them to live in.

Cost of Pigeon Netting

2011-08-09T02:13:00.000-07:00

Because of certain application considerations, the netting used to inhibit pigeon habitation in the buildings within an urban area is completely different to the netting used in gardens and farms. The difference primarily rests on the gauge and type of the net used. Essentially, the nets installed in farms and gardens have to be specifically designed to exclude other birds from being trapped, as these birds are also helpful in the farm. However, this consideration is not much of a big deal in an urban setting because majority (if not all) of the birds in the city are pestering pigeons.

Bird Netting for Agricultural Applications

Bird nets designed for crop, garden and pond protection are normally sold in pre-cut sizes. The length is usually fixed (about 100 metres) while the width may be 4, 6, 8 or 12 metres. In UK, the nets are typically sold with the following retailer prices:

1. General Purpose Use Bird Net (Economy) - Each linear meter of this type of bird net is sold at £2.00. You can quickly identify a general-purpose economy net by the size of its mesh (20x20 mm) and the type of material used to weave the net (extruded polyethylene).

2. Fruit Cages Anti Bird Net (Heavy-duty) - This net has a diamond mesh design sized 20 by 20 millimetres each. The material used in polyethylene and each linear metre costs £3.25.

3. Crop Protection Bird Net (Extra heavy-duty) - Primarily used to repel pets and other animals from damaging crops and fruits. This type of bird net is very durable and yet it is affordable at only £1.5 for each linear metre. The material used in extruded polyethylene and the size of each mesh is 16 by 16 millimetres.

4. Multi-purpose Pond Protection Net (Heavy-duty) - At £2.3 for each square metre, this type of net is already a very reliable form of protection for your vegetables and fruits from being damaged and eaten by birds like herons and pigeons. This net is also effective in collecting falling leaves, inhibiting these leaves from going into the pond. The material used is polyethylene with mesh sized at 19 by 19 millimetres. The price is £2.3 for each square metre.

5. All-around bird protection net (Heavy-duty) - Although these types of nets are sold for pigeon protection, buyers need to be aware that the most effective gauge size of the net should be around 50 millimetres in order to repel pigeons. At 76 by 76 millimetres, this net will not suffice. This net is cheap though, only £0.80 for each square metre. Nevertheless, it can be used as a good way to keep the snow from falling down the roof.

6. Pond Net (Heavy-duty) - This net is originally designed to secure ponds from dirt and other debris without restricting amphibians from passing through it. But because its mesh size is 45 by 45 millimetres, many people also use this net as pigeon netting. At £0.95/square metre, that is not really a bad idea. Material used for this net is polyethylene.

Bird Netting for Building-Proofing

Like what has been emphasized earlier, the netting used for garden/agricultural and urban application is different. One can immediately buy a pigeon netting kit where all the necessary tools and fittings for the installation of the netting are included. The kits are also cut in specific sizes. Instead of the kit, one can also choose to simply buy the net by square metre. However, it is still most advised for DIY enthusiasts to simply buy the kit so that they can install the netting on their own in their homes. It will be difficult to install the netting if you don't have the proper tools and buying the tools individually would be costly. If you hire someone else to install the netting, you will also spend on their service fee. Thus, buying the kit is the most practical approach.

However, if you are to protect an entire building, you might need to hire professional netting installation personnel. There are companies that offer netting services so you might want to check on their prices first before you buy your own net. It is up to you to assess which option will benefit you more. Here is a guide of what to expect with the netting used for urban applications:

1. Gull Net - This net is normally used to protect buildings from gulls, but in certain applications, it is also used to repel pigeons. Each 20 by 20 metre net costs at least £179. The mesh size of gull nets is 75 by 75 millimetres and the material used for the net is polyethylene.

2. Pigeon Net (Ordinary) - Primarily used for pigeon protection. At 50 by 50 millimetres per mesh size, this net is one of the most effective means to inhibit pigeons from habituating in building and houses. Each 20 by 20 metre net costs £183.82.

3. Flame-resistant Pigeon Net - This net is seriously more expensive than the previous one for an obvious reason, it is flame-resistant. At £237.04 per 20 by 20 metres, this net is still a good buy because of its feature. The net comes in two colors: black and red. This is the exact same net as above; the only difference is that it is coated with a flame retardant coating.

4. Starling Net (Ordinary) - Just like the gull net, this one is not really designed for pigeons but are still used for pigeon control. Each 20 by 20 metres of this net costs £357.98 and each mesh measures 28 by 29 millimetres.

5. Flame Resistant Starling Net - Technically the same with the starling net above, only made fancier by a flame retardant coating. Each 20 by 20 metres costs £566.

6. Sparrow net - Very similar to pigeon nets, with mesh size of 50 by 50 millimetres. The material used in polyethylene and costs £566 per 20 by 20 metres. Many people prefer this net because of its known durability.

I've just added another post entitled "Pigeon Netting Maintenance" which contains a lot of useful info regarding the installation of nylon nets and many other important aspects that the average homeowners should know when considering this method of keeping pigeons and different other pest birds away.

A Practical Guide on Cleaning Pigeon Droppings

2011-08-09T01:56:00.000-07:00

Pigeons are most destructive because of their guano or their excretion. It is almost certain that after an entire night's roosting, these birds will leave a pile of their droppings which can cause substantive soiling of the exteriors of the building. Their daytime perching behaviour also damages the buildings in the same way; as they way for food (i.e. from garbage or from the people feeding them), pigeons are inclined to simply stay in one place and at the same time leave their droppings in that same place. Overall, the amount of guano that pigeons leave while they are habituating a specific building would be sufficient to damage the building and at the same time threaten the health of the people who happen to interact with their droppings.

Because these birds have grown excessively dependent on the food commonly available in urban areas, they have also developed the habit of continuously moving around in search for places where food can be available. This mobility also spreads their guano is an eight to ten hour flight radius. But that is not really the main problem, the real threat with pigeons habituation is that they have the tendencies to stay in an area (without moving) for as long as 16 hours! Imagine the amount of guano that hundreds of pigeons can leave in an area after staying for that long.

Types of External Soiling

The damage that their droppings can do also varies depending on how these droppings are left in the first place. For example, if the droppings are due to daytime perching, the damage would seem random and irregular. That is, a larger area of the building will show visible damages. One can be sure that the soiling is caused by overnight roosting when the damage is concentrated in a specific area. That is, all the other areas surrounding the soiled area do not exhibit signs of soiling. These two types of external soiling also depends different approaches in cleaning.

It should be noted that cleaning droppings piled due to an overnight roosting or breeding is easier to do than that cause daytime perching. The reason is obvious, overnight roosting droppings are found in a specific area alone and these can be collected easily. On the other hand, since daytime perching can damage larger areas, cleaners would have to spend more time cleaning out these areas.

Although it is really troublesome to have such soils caused by pigeons, the soils are also very good indications of where the anti-perching products should be placed. This means that the pigeons will not be able to give you any worries anymore because they have given out themselves which area in your building they like to perch the most, thus you will know which area needs anti-perching products. You don't have to worry about pigeons just finding a new site in your building (one with no anti-perching products) because pigeons are most inclined to stay on one breeding or roosting area alone. If their roosting area in your building is no longer available, they will find a new building instead of finding a new area in your building.

Special Considerations

Despite being pests, you still need to apply special considerations to pigeons most especially if you find a nest in the area where pigeon chicks are present. These birds are still very weak to make it on their own and there are laws that protect such helpless birds. If ever you find such chicks (also called pigeon squabs) while you are cleaning, you might want to set aside these birds first (maybe place then is a container and keep them safe for a while as you do your cleaning). Then, it is wise if you call the Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs or DEFRA office to report about the squabs. After informing their office, you will either be advised to take the squabs or the eggs to them or to a wildlife rehabilitator. From there, these professionals will handle the birds and you will be free of the responsibility.

Cleaning Operandi

Remember that guano is a good habitat for bacteria and viruses. If you are not careful enough, you might only catch diseases and illnesses because of your interaction with the guano while you are cleaning them out. To protect yourself, you need to wear proper clothing and use the right equipment. You also need to follow safety procedures in order to be sure that nothing unexpected will happen. You don't have to make the task difficult for you too since you can easily buy cleaning products which are very effective in flushing out guano without you needing to scrub them off. The cleaning solutions which are most often used are the ornithological disinfectant solution and the organisms cleaning agent. These two products are specially designed to kill the bacteria and the microbes that might compromise your health while you are cleaning. These products also make the guano easier to clean out.

However, for small quantities of wet droppings, a hot soapy water solution would be enough to clean out the guano. When pigeon guano is wet, it becomes less threatening to human health and so there is no need for you to buy disinfecting agents to be extra sure. The soapy water solution can be used to splash out the guano from the surface before scrubbing.

Well-dried guanos have to be treated differently. Like what has been said earlier, guano becomes very conducive for bacteria habitation if it is dry. Thus, for such cases, it is important that you use the right equipment rather than simply cleaning with your hands. For example, use a paint scraper (of course wear gloves) to remove well-dried guano that stick on the windowsills and the other architectural features of your house or building. If the guano is too difficult to scrap off, you may spray the guano with enough water to make it softer. After removing these dried guanos, simply wash the area with hot soapy water.

Humane Pigeon Control Methods

2011-08-05T01:19:00.000-07:00

The use of humane pigeon control methods are not only for the squeamish, but it holds I higher purpose than that. All species in the world need safeguarding from extinction and often, the primary beings that certain species need safeguarding from are humans. We are often the perpetrators of endangering creatures in the world because of our virtually unrestricted methods of destruction. Pigeons are among the most targeted creatures in the world so to speak and each time we kill one or two of them, we somehow diminish their population. Accumulatively speaking, the number of pigeons that die each year to the use of inhumane lethal pigeon control methods had reached an alarming rate. Not all pigeons may die but there are specific of pigeons that are already in endangered. Eventually, they will perish and the next species of pigeons will probably be the next ones on the line.

Admittedly, pigeons can be quite of a pest to our human existence. They often swarm in multitude in many of our properties and their multitude would often hamper us in living peacefully. Often, their presence is also a predicament in certain human activities, compromising costs and or investments in different proportions.

However, despite of that character, they still do not deserve to be inhumanely destroyed with the use of lethal control methods. Methods such as kill traps, petrifying gasses, and guns are listed as among the top most violent ways to kill pigeons and still a lot of people are using these approaches. Pigeons as species somehow do not deserve to be driven that way, lest kill them. In fact, having a particular crucial role in the entire ecological balance, they at least deserve to be returned to their natural habitat. However, returning them as well to their natural dwellings would be quite a challenge considering the proliferating urbanization of the places in the world. Their habitats are somehow reverted into very few locations. This is also the very reason why their habitations overlap with humans. Still we are the cause of their flight to our territories.

Fortunately, there are still those people who care about the pigeons existence and have somehow innovated ways on how to deal with them without truly hurting them.

These humane approaches should be used popularly instead of the contrary methods. Using these methods is one way of understanding the nature of their existence and thus at the same time fostering appreciation for them.

A common misconception from people is that when they use humane pigeon control methods, they assume that they are not as effective as using the lethal methods which they see to deliver immediate output - eradication. That's absolutely not true at all. Destroying a creature is never the sole effective way to get rid of it. Human pigeon control methods are enthusiastically innovated in order to cater two prongs of the pigeon problem - getting rid of the pigeons and not killing them at the same
time.

Here are some of the most effective humane pigeon control methods that you can use:

1. The Bird Spike

The bird spike (a.k.a pigeon spikes) is perhaps one of the most commonly used effective pigeon control method on earth. Its popularity is naturally derived from its proven effectiveness. However, bird spikes are not ready made and they can't be purchased as immediate items from department or hardware stores. They have to be assembled. They are actually made to order and attached into rooftops, gutters, awnings, gutters, and ledges. What they do is that it keeps pigeons and all other nesting birds from landing into these areas. The spikes are usually made of steel. Oftentimes, they are made of polycarbonate materials. Birds don't get killed with the spikes unless of course they flat drop into the spikes for some reasons. It can only hurt them a little though; just enough to fend them away by making them feel the predicament of landing into your roof. The spikes are often made and placed to conceal the entire ledge in order to seal seams which could be used by pigeons as alternate routes to get inside.

2. The Bird Slope

A bird slope is actually a unique combination of simplicity and functionality. They are ideally designed for ledges, beams, eaves, and other perpendicular areas in the house wherein pigeons are most likely to thrive and nest. The slope panels provide a slippery surface so that pigeons will find it really difficult to get a grip. Naturally, they would all just simply slide off the surface. You need not to worry about making things look bad for you when you are to use the slopes, they could easily be painted to blend in the entire accent of your house designs.

3. Netting

Netting is quite popular to many people experiencing pigeon problems because they offer an effective solution while at the same time being very cheap. If they are properly installed they could become impenetrable barriers for your rooftops. They could also be installed in patios, and courtyards or any certain wide spaces that pigeons would often dwell. There are also heavy duty bird nets that can be used for larger establishments, like office buildings or apartments. Usually, architects would prescribe this approach in order to prevent pigeons from invading the office structures. Bird-B-Gone nets are among the most popular brands of heavy duty bird nets. They are UV, fire, and water resistant and they could definitely last for a long time and still effectively protect the establishment from bird invasion.

4. Electric Deterrents

A more advance and a bit expensive piece of technology to prevent birds from entering human territories is the electric-track pigeon deterrent. Pigeons may get electrocuted when they land on these things but they are totally harmless. They would simply give sudden electric shocks to the pigeons or any birds in order to discourage them from landing in the areas. They are totally idea for ledges and other perpendicular areas of the establishment wherein pigeons often nest and roost.

Extinct Species: Passenger Pigeon

2011-08-05T00:50:00.000-07:00

We often think that pigeons are so abundant in earth such that they are capable of flocking and swarming in places. Their sheer numbers could quite often lead to problems to many people, especially when they distract many of the daily human activities. In lieu of that, we came up with many different ways and methods to deal with them and even kill them. But what we do not know is that, not all pigeon species are abundant on earth and when we do eradicate them, we risk the chance of eradicating a pigeon species that are apparently almost running out. This species of pigeon is the passenger pigeon. An almost extinct species of pigeon that no matter how significantly dwindling they are in numbers, they still crossover to human boundaries without inhibition and risking themselves to be target practice subjects by some trigger happy human beings.

An important consideration to anyone who wishes to deal with pigeon problems is that it doesn't necessarily mean that if you are allowed to do one thing, you might as well do it. For example, using lethal methods in dealing with pigeons are often allowed in certain states. However, such actions could significantly reduce an entire species of birds and thus would lead to the brink of extinction. In place of these methods, we could use the humane means in controlling pigeons. Despite being proven to be very effective, they also safeguard the wellbeing of the species of pigeons all throughout the world. This has to be the course of action of everyone and not with those lethal methods. We can't just be trigger happy in killing pigeons just because they infringe our peaceful living. To think, they too are just finding their means to exist and it is not that they deliberately wanted to pester humans in their territories. We can always live harmoniously with them and as well all the species of creatures all over the world. To kill these creatures by mere impulse is simply a crime against nature that must not be condoned.

The Passenger Pigeon

The passenger pigeon is an almost extinct species of pigeons on earth. However, ironically speaking, they were the most abundant species of bird before, and that time isn't that of a long time ago. They are so abundant that they significantly outnumber the combination of the different species of very common birds that fly around. This was before.

One could almost barely imagine the possibility of passenger pigeons becoming endangered and even extinct to certain wild areas, when the sheer population of these birds alone could outnumber even the entire population of individuals living in North America as well. And this time was still somewhere around 1800, which indicates that their extinction was brought about in a not so very distant time span. It begs the question, what could have happened back then that has caused their rapid decrease in number such that they were even brought to the brink of eradication. Martha, the name of one of the last birds of this species, died in captivity in Cincinnati Zoo around 1914.

Would you believe, that before they have become decimated, a single of passenger pigeons could actually be comprised of 2 million members or even more and there's more than just one flock of these pigeons that inhabit US that time?

A scientist, John J. Audubon, described the phenomena of these birds migrating as the darkest cloud. When they migrated, they could darken the skies of three straight days just by their sheer numbers.

Passenger pigeons are known to inhabit the deciduous forests of North America, and they could inhabit an area of 20 miles across. They are so many that these forests would often be left destroyed as many of its trees' branches broke because of the weight of the huge number of passenger pigeons that could sit down in one tree. Yet ironically, we could barely see one at all.

Perhaps the primary contributor to the close extinction of this pigeon species was the massive hunt for their meat for commercial purposes. Their meat is often desired by most of the Euro-American settlers of that time. Of course with their multitude, hunters often find themselves trigger happy about killing the birds knowing that there would be enough left to spare. Their numbers have also made these birds as easy targets and they are even hunted in massive numbers. The means of capturing the birds would range from netting, smoking them out with sulphur smokes, even the use of special firearms like a machine gun to kill and harvest the birds.

Also, the progressive growth of commercialization have destroyed most of the birds habitats, as deciduous forests are being replaced with human dwellings and railroads, limiting their homes to few identifiable locations which also at the same time enables their human hunters to have an easy access to them.

During the 1850's, thousands of people were being employed in a newly established passenger pigeon meat company and they have accounted that each day, the company could kill 18,000 birds per day. After a year of the company's existence, they have already killed billions of passenger pigeons for their meat.

Naturally, with the massive unrestricted hunt for their species, the entire population of passenger pigeons collapsed and have eventually lead to the dispersal of the birds to the different places of the world. While, this transition have saved a lot of passenger pigeons from the hunt as their hunters would no longer find it profitable to hunt them down since they have gone so far across the globe, the process have also been the cause of the demise of many of the surviving species because of their inability of their breeding abilities to cope.

The hunting of the passenger pigeon did cease, however the remaining population of these birds was no longer sustainable and unviable for reinstatement. Until such time that the entire race of these birds were sent to an extinction vortex and thus it could no longer recover.

Pigeon Control Methods II: Cage Trapping and Stupefying Bait

2011-08-04T03:53:00.000-07:00

Since pigeons are not protected animals, lethal methods of control are usually preferred by those who do not want to go through the hassles involved in the other control methods. Two of the most commonly used lethal control methods are:

Killing Caged Pigeons (includes Cage trapping)

In a quick summary, this method is all about using baits to lure pigeons into a cage trap where they are extracted and killed. For a fast kill, a pair of pliers is used to break their necks.

Cage traps are normally placed in places where pigeon activity is high. This can be identified by mere observation of the actual presence of pigeons in the area and the mass of droppings that they leave there. However, these traps should not be placed in locations where they can be easily seen by the public. Caged birds usually cause public distress. Apart from ethical reasons, concealing these cage traps from the general public view is also aesthetic reasons.

Pigeons should be free to enter and leave the trap for 7 days, during which they are baited with corn. This is done in order to make the birds feel secure around the trap. As the days pass by, more and more pigeons will be entice to perch inside the trap. On the 7th day, the cage is again set-up in the same place with the same bait but with the exit door closed. Birds will just continue coming into the trap without any hesitation. The trap should be left for an entire day before all the birds caught are removed and killed. If breaking their necks is far too laborious to do, the birds are simply placed in a sacked and then gassed to death.

Sensitive Issues

However, there are some people who are not really comfortable with the idea that these birds are killed right after they are caught. For this reason, many of the pest control companies or contractors that offer cage trapping service also give their clients the option to have the birds released elsewhere instead of being killed. This option is more expensive though because the contractor will have to secure all the necessary permits needed for the release of these birds in certain places. They also need transport the birds to the release site. The extra work that has to be done is to be paid the client who requests the more humane option.

Clients should be aware though that pigeons are extremely efficient in locating their nesting places. Thus, even though these birds are released somewhere far, there is still a very fat possibility that they will be able to locate your house or your lawn using their homing instincts. Thus, in the end, you will still have the same problems and you will again pay for a pigeon control contractor's services. Indeed, catch and release option benefits the pest control contractor more that it benefits you.

Downside of Cage Trapping

Nevertheless, cage trapping is still the least effective lethal pigeon control method, not to mention that it is also the most expensive. The trap may be effective for a couple of days (at most 2-weeks) but after this period, pigeons will realize that the traps are dangerous and they will avoid it despite of the presence of a bait food. Pigeons are intelligent enough to figure out that the cage can kill them as much as it has killed the others. This method is expensive because it requires a lot of manual labour. The traps have to be inspected by the pest control contractor every 24 hours, the baits have to be replaced in time and the birds have to be killed after they are caught. Sadly, many bird control contractors still recommend this method to their clients. They even ask their clients to sign contracts that last for years, not just weeks or months. In this way, they get to earn money from you even though their cage traps no longer catch pigeons. Clearly, such a method is not a good way to wise way to spend your money.

Use of Stupefying Bait

Stupefying baits cannot be used as a lethal way to control pigeons if DEFRA has not approved of it. Pest control contractors have to secure a license duly issued by this agency in order to legally use stupefying baits. This method of pigeon control was extensively used between 1960s and 1970s. However, after stricter rules where imposed for its usage, many pest control companies have also stopped using this method. The two main basis of DEFRA for license issuance are: 1. the number of licenses issued in the preceding year and 2. the assurance that the birds will not harshly suffer from the use of the baits.

The scientific term for stupefying bait is Alphachloralose. It is a chemical that is dispensed in grains which the target species would normally eat. Birds that ingest treated grains will experience drowsiness which typically results to being stupefied. The pest control contractor will have to literally pick up the birds without resistance. The picked birds will then be dispatched humanely, under the rules and standards of DEFRA. In order to stupefy the most number of birds, untreated grains have to be spread to the site for 7 straight days. Pigeons will feast over the bait and more and more pigeons will come every day. On the 8th day, the pigeons are then fed with treated grains which they will eat without suspicion.

Nevertheless, this control option is only very effective in theory. The reality is that pigeons and other birds do not stay long in one place after they get their fill. Birds are easily scared off by loud noises and movements. Thus, there is a very high chance that these birds will not stay long enough in the feeding site to experience the effect of the stupefying baits in the same place where they ate. What normally happens is that the pigeons will experience the effects of the baits while they're flying or while they are silently perched elsewhere. Some pigeons even fall out while flying and crash on cars and buildings.

Pigeon Control Methods I: Shooting and Flying a Raptor

2011-08-04T03:28:00.000-07:00

Perhaps the fasting way to reduce pigeon population in a given area is by killing them. Over the past few years, it has been proven that the most effective way to solve pigeon-related problems is to simply sentence them to death. Pigeons have very powerful instincts; they will be able to locate their nesting place even though you trap them and set them free elsewhere. Thus, if the intention is to really get rid of them for good, the best option to take is to kill them. Even though there are other ways to make a properly safe from the ill-effects of pigeon habitation, killings is still the more preferred option because it is sure and easy. Even pest control contractors themselves recommend such methods. Two of the most commonly used lethal pigeon control methods are shooting and by flying a raptor.

Shooting

Most pest control contractors would rather kill pigeons by shooting. This method is even more popular in farms and other agricultural areas where farmers simply carry with them a rifle and shoot pigeons and other birds that land on their farms and other crops. In more urbanized areas, shooting is commonly used to kill small pigeons and other birds but not the bigger ones that rest on the roof. This restriction is imposed because of the dangers involve in shooting towards the roof or to pigeons who are on flight. The stray bullets may harm unsuspecting people around the shooter. It is also very unlikely for residents to be given the permission to carry around a gun strong enough to kill bigger birds. Example of such a gun is the .22 rifle.

With exception in agricultural applications and in some specific cases, shooting is supposed to be done at night. It is safer to do the operation at night because pigeons are diurnal animals so they will not be able to fly away when it is dark. This makes it easier for the shooter to hit the birds and at the same time reduce the threat of shooting non-targets.

However, the real problem with shooting is the fact that it is virtually impossible to dispatch the birds humanely after they are shot. The air weapons used for pigeon shooting will not be able to kill the birds with one shoot, but the impact of the hit will leave the pigeon with enough damage to suffer serious pains and internal bleeding. This is contrary to what is provided by the law where shooters are required to dispatch of the birds humanely. Instead, the birds would slowly die while experiencing the worst pains possible. The birds will also die is different areas, depending on how far they have flown after they have been shot. Property owners will have to deal with the unpleasant smell of dead pigeons that fall in their properties.

Moreover, it should be noted that homeowners who choose to use strong weapons like .22 rifles to kill pigeons are not required by the law to undergo serious shooting trainings. This means that they can cause potential danger to the public because of their lack of experience. Not only that, shooters may also hit buildings and other properties. One of the most classic examples of such a situation happened with the London Victoria Station. Many pigeons where perching in one of the main concourse areas of the Railway station and a pest control company was hired to shoot the birds in the area. However, the shooting caused substantive damages to the glass panels of the station's roof. These panels are quite very expensive and difficult to replace. Thus, the pest control company was ordered to stop the operations in the area to avoid further damages.

Other Purposes of Shooting

Many people participate in pigeon shooting for fun and pleasure too, not really for the purposes of controlling these birds. The reason for this is the fact that shooting is actually a wasted effort when you talk about a huge flock of pigeons in an area. It is almost impossible to kill more than a single bird in such a situation because the gun can produce a very loud sound that is enough to scare away the birds in the area. As a result, only the targeted bird is kills, that's if the shooter hadn't missed.

The evolution of shooting as a sport and a leisure activity has also benefited farmlands that suffer from pigeon habitation. Many of these farmers earn money by allowing shooting enthusiasts to hunt in their property. Some even sell their farms to associations that promote pigeon shooting. However, one problem about this is that many shooters who consider pigeons as "game" birds are also inclined to shoot non-target birds. For this reason, a law called The Wildlife Countryside Act of 1981 was passed to protect non-target birds from abusive shooters.

Flying a Raptor

This method of pigeon control is often marketed as non-lethal but in reality is it still deadly. It is now commonly used by many companies because many clients are enticed to choose this method because of the propaganda associating this method to humane pigeon control. This method is executing by releasing a raptor that is meant to scare away the pigeons. However, since the handler of the raptor does not really have control over it, he or she cannot stop the raptor from killing the birds in whatever way they want. Thus, in the end, it is still a lethal control method and the fairest way to market it is to tell the clients about the real possible result of the method.

Raptors often bring the pigeons that they kill to the ground where they devour them. This view is actually very gory and distressing, thus many people complain about the use of raptors in public areas. Clients would also suffer because of this scenario especially if it happens in a property that is highly commercial. Nevertheless, this method is still very effective if the real goal is to really get rid of the pigeons.

Lethal Pigeon Control Methods

2011-08-03T02:15:00.000-07:00

Sometimes, the problem with pigeons would often be so considerable that it would already require harsher approaches, be it for the satisfaction of the affected individual or just the sheer appropriation of the multitude of pigeons infesting the property. As what an adage would say, "desperate times call for desperate measures", the same principle would seem to apply with pigeon pest problems. Farmers often feel this urge since pigeons cause considerable and sometimes even devastating damages to their farm properties. Certain homeowners would also feel this way, especially after having their house overhauled for total maintenance and then suddenly finding multitude of pigeon droppings everywhere right after the maintenance. It can truly be a very frustrating feeling.

In light of this extreme hate urges to deal with the pestering pigeons, the invention of lethal pigeon control methods came into place. As the methods' name imply, these methods would definitely entail the use of much more severe methods of controlling pests. Naturally, these methods are those that can kill the pest upon delivery of the method. There are many types of killing methods for pigeons and all of them are devised for the purpose of immediate output. Some of them do not have highly quantifiable results though, as some of these methods are designed for the purposes of satiating the urges of the user. However, one thing is for certain, they do get rid of the pest one way or the other.

There are certain disadvantages to these methods though as there are those lethal methods that are prohibited in certain places and that using them would entail appropriate sanctions. Some of the methods are also not so environmentally friendly and that environmental advocates would definitely have something to say about it. It is important that you confer with the authorities and know the specific protocols in your area before using any of the lethal methods. It is better to be certain than to suffer the consequences of impulsive actions.

Here are some of the best options for lethal methods in pigeon control:

The Hawk

This method by the way is not some hawk-looking device that would scare away pigeons. They are actually real live Hawks that feed on pigeons. They are known predators of pigeons and they are quite effective in hunting their prey down. Hawks are truly docile creatures to humans once they are tamed and domesticated. In fact, the approach of using hawks in dealing with pigeons was already being used a long time before. Back then, hawks are stationed as stadium guards to prevent any pigeon infiltration into the game field since often pigeons dive-bomb into the players in the field and thus distracting the entire game. In order to prevent them from doing such, marksmen and hawks collaborate to prevent them.

If you are to use hawks in an urban residence, you have to make sure that the hawks are tied long enough to reach the squatting pigeons on the rooftops or anywhere in the house where pigeons usually frequent. It would be better if the hawks were already highly trained that you won't have to tie them down anymore. That way, they could more freely and making all pestering pigeons just within the reach of its talons. However, hawk training may prove to be quite effortful and expensive and thus, are considered as highly impractical methods. But somehow a few certain people would take the indulgence and to them, hawks prove themselves to be truly worthy pets.

Caging Trapping and Killing

Perhaps the most conventional method of catching pests is the use of cage traps and they have proved themselves truly effective over the years. Ever since, people have been using traps to capture their pest problems and the same thing would go as well with pest pigeons. There are two generic types of traps in light of this article's discussion: the lethal cage traps and safe cage traps and we will be talking about the former.

Lethal cage traps are the other innovation of humane cage traps. This kind of traps is definitely not for the squeamish. Lethal cage traps often have constricting or snapping mechanisms that would immediately a death blow to the captured pigeon once it gets ensnared.

In other traps, the lethality is delivered manually. Usually, the user would employ the use of pliers to manually snap the necks of the captured pigeons or use some puncturing material to impale the ensnared bird.

In order for the traps to be truly effective in capturing its target though, you have to place them into the highly strategic locations of your home. These areas should be where there is a high concentration of frequenting pigeons. Rooftops, windows, balconies, and tree branches are among the most conducive areas for capturing pigeons. Place the traps in these places and you will surely have something in that trap that is worth killing.

Shooting

One of the most widely used pigeon control method to farmers especially across country areas. By far this method is also the most used method in killing other species of birds that pester farm houses. However, they are rarely used in urban areas and you need not an explanation why you can't use guns in the city.

Especially in the agricultural sectors, shooting pigeons is greatly being used because of the great deal of liberty in the areas. Since there are no strict rules on gun usage in these areas, they could readily use long rifles to kill the pestering pigeons.

However, there are certain urban parts that make use of bird-lethal but human-safe guns. Usually this kind of guns employs the use of plastic bullets that are strong enough to kill birds but are harmless to humans. Usually these guns are being used to hunt down not only pigeons but other types of small birds as well like, sparrows, crows, and starlings. Sometimes they are used to hunt down gulls but since gulls are rather too big and have thicker skins, this kind of guns are rarely used on them.

Diseases Caused by Pigeon Droppings

2011-08-03T02:06:00.000-07:00

Pigeons are common in cities and urbanized rural areas. These birds have high preference on buildings and other man-made structures as their nesting place. They can also reproduce very rapidly because they do not follow a strict mating season, in fact, these birds can mate anytime of the year though they are most active from March to July. It is during these months when pigeons become extremely dangerous, not because they become wild when they are sexually active (because they don't), but because they are inclined to form huge flocks during this period. Huge pigeon flocks pose a serious threat to human health because of the large amount of droppings that they can deposit in the specific area where they perch as a flock.

Pigeon droppings provide an excellent home for harmful bacteria and other dangerous pathogens which can cause serious human diseases. Examples of these diseases are histoplasmosis, psittacosis and crytococcosis. The first one is associated with a specific kind of fungi that feed on the human eyeball. This disease is only one of the 60 different kinds of human diseases caused by birds. Pigeons have become a massive carrier of these diseases because of the droppings that they spread. The droppings harbour all sorts of dangerous microorganisms which can become airborne once the droppings dry out and become dust. Although it transform into minute particulates, the size of a dust dropping is still enough to serve as a host to some bacteria and viruses. Once a person inhales the contaminated dust, it seeps directly into his or her mucus membrane where its infestation in the human body starts.

Pigeon droppings are also notorious of its smell. Many people who live in places infested by thousands of pigeons complain about the terrible smell that emanates from pigeon droppings that accumulates in different parts of the city or the town. These droppings are also very acidic that it can hasten the corrosion of a structure to as fast as 500% its natural deterioration rate. Yet, the most alarming thing about pigeon droppings remains to be the disease that it can cause.

However, pigeon control is not really given that much attention by local legislators. Too few people realize that their droppings can cause diseases, so they also show little support on pigeon control. Legislators also do not want to spend their energy on things which their constituents do not find to be very important, they would rather be engaged into projects that can give them more good publicity. Nevertheless, if the people are made aware of just how dangerous these droppings can be, then maybe the situation can change. But as of now, homeowners are expected to control the pigeons that get lost into their lawns and backyards, pigeon control is not yet widely acknowledged as a communal concern.

As a general started, the people should be made aware the droppings can carry microorganisms that can cause fatal diseases. Examples of these microorganisms are the salmonella and the E.coli bacteria -- two dangerous microorganisms which many people are familiar with. Apart from these, droppings can also cause meningitis and permanent lung damage. In reality, pigeon control is actually a serious business in securing public health. Bird-related diseases do not just affect a specific group of people, these diseases can also threat the general populace and thus, it should be addresses accordingly.

Description of Pigeon-Related Diseases

1. Histoplasmosis - The symtoms common to people who have Histoplasmosis often appear 10 days after the infection is contracted. The symptoms include: chest pains, fatigue and fever. This disease is not communicable between humans but humans can get it on their own because of the dust droppings. People who have weak immune systems like those who suffer from HIV are very susceptible to catching Histoplasmosis.

2. Crytococcosis - Just like Histoplasmosis, this disease is also caused by fungi that grow on pigeon droppings. The fungal infection that gives birth to this disease cannot easily affect a healthy person even after an extremely high level of exposure. However, those with weak immune systems are still very susceptible to this disease. In fact, statistics reveal that 85% of all crytococcosis infected patients are also HIV positive.

3. Psittacosis - This disease became known as the parrot fever because it mainly attacks parrots and birds which are closely related to parrots. Examples of such birds are parakeets and cockatiels. This is a unique disease because it does not only affect humans but it also affects the pigeon themselves. The common symptoms of Psittacosis are rashes, pneumonia, fever, fatigues, chills and headaches. These symptoms appear 10 days after the patient is infected. Psittacosis is treated using common antibiotic.

Nevertheless, although this disease is easy to cure, it is still alarming to know that so far, about 70% of all psittacosis patients got their disease after an interaction with a pigeon, many of which are pet owners, veterinarians and animal handlers. So far, no record has been found to support that the disease can be transferred from one human to another.

Responsibilities of Cleaning

We are all responsible to clean out pigeon droppings in our surrounding. We can't expect pigeons to clean their own mess, right? So, we need to act fast before these diseases strike us. The general public should be involved in a routine clean-up activity. Cleaners are advised to wear boots, gloves and mask during the activity.

Cleaners can use water dispensed through a high-powered hose to wash away the droppings. Dried droppings should also be sprayed with water in order to prevent possible inhalation. People with HIV should not participate in the clean-up activities no matter what their reason might be. finally, everyone who participates in the clean-up should thoroughly wash their hands before touching any food.

We should all remember that it is for the best interest of the entire community to keep our surroundings clean. While we can't really stop thousands of pigeons from nesting in our localities, we can still try to control the damages that they can do by working hand-in-hand with one another.

The Origins of Pigeon Proliferation and Pigeon Control

2011-08-03T01:49:00.000-07:00

The multitudes of pigeons as we see today aren't as they were when the trend of domesticating them hasn't started way back before. You see the primary reason why there are a lot of pigeons flying over and sitting on rooftops is because of us. When people started to treat pigeons as pets in homes, they have also started to bred and raised them as well, exponentially multiplying the species progressively until such time that they have reached a very uncontrollable level. This is now why we see a lot of pigeons across the world causing problems to our daily existence. The origins of occurrence can be traced beginning with big mea culpa. This is the place where the first pigeons were domesticated and raised by millions across France to England.

The Domestication of Pigeons

The domestication of pigeons became a trend to these parts of Europe and eventually spread out far, reaching the other places as well thus have lead to the constant proliferation of the species. Back then, pigeons were royalties' friends, where they are eagerly fed by both kings and paupers. At some point they are even trained to become message carriers, carrying very confidential information across kingdoms and countries. They were those pigeons that became unlucky though that they were turned into meals. Because of the seemingly unstoppable trend, they have massively grown in numbers and eventually fed on farmer's crops and grain storages, and because their numbers have offset their possible habitats, they have been forced to live dwell in every possible place they could reside, leading to the scenario wherein their droppings are now found everywhere. They often cause trouble to structure maintenance people as they usually poop on monumental statues every now and then. What's worse is that their poops are not that easy to remove and would require a considerable effort from the cleaner to get rid of them. Their dumps could also tarnish good stonework, which lead for them to be considered to be more of pests rather than pets.

Pigeon Control Methods

Because of the growing problem with pigeons, people then took the initiative to ban feeding the pigeons and that those who were caught feeding pigeons are sanctioned. Gunmen are also being hired that time to shoot down the pigeons as they see them. During World War II, the innovation of poisons came into the picture and that they were used to curb the growing population of pigeons across the world. But that didn't stop them at all. They continue to grow even after the war and this time causing troubles to open games like football, wherein they are often the cause of the distraction of players in the field as they would usually swoop in the game field. Hawks were also considered to be domesticated in order to prevent the entrance of pigeons. However, pigeons, cunning as they are would simply go around the stationed Hawks.

Somehow, the entire problem of pigeons became so rampant and out of control until a new industry emerged. This industry is the technology of pigeon control.

The Rise of the Pigeon Control Industry

Since the rise of the pigeon control industry, new and much more efficient methods of controlling pigeons were being introduced every day. Some of these methods are humane and some of them were lethal. They are left under the prerogative of the users as to which one they would use in accordance to their convenience and preference.

This industry took a growing pace in response as well to the growing problems with pigeons since as they grown in numbers, varieties of people all across the globe, from different work place environments to private residences are being affected by the pestering problems caused by the swarming birds. Complaining of the same issues, they have sought for ways to finally to put an end to their cries and thankfully, pigeon control industry came and all of these people who were affected finally breathe a sigh of reprieve and somehow a sense of relief.

It's just appropriate for these people to feel that way, considering the amount of problem that pigeons have caused in their lives. Estimatedly, the gross damage of pigeons in every year just across United States is somewhere around 1.1 billion dollars a year. Just taking that out from the equation will already do a lot in uplifting the recession stage. And that figure is already the figure at present even with the current trend of pigeon control methods being employed. Somehow, there seems to be no end to the pigeon problems. However, most of the affected people would entrust their hopes in the industry in the vision of eventually being able to develop a new form of technology that could truly deal with the pigeon issues once and for all.

A Different View

But, pigeon control is not all about eradication alone as there are things that have to be considered when the whole world is about to deal with the pestering pigeons. Pigeons as animals play a certain role in the ecosystem balance; therefore, we can't just absolutely eradicate them from the face of the earth. This is the natural dilemma or two conflicting issues that will normally arise in the light of pest control paradigm. The two aspects of the scenario should be catered. Being one sided on these matters will absolute result to certain horrific consequences, be it the extinction of a certain species or the catastrophic imbalance of the food chain which could eventually affect us human beings.

Conclusion

In order to deal with that balance and keep it as balanced as it is as possible, the pigeon control methods should continuously innovate for more methods that will ensure the safety of the general species while at the same time addressing the pest problems of every concerned people. Thus, the methods at present are less cruel and perhaps more humane and some of them would not even be inclusive of pigeon fatality. Oftentimes, certain methods of pigeon control would simply just relocate the pigeons to a different place, or perhaps to their natural habitats. As of today, scientists and technologists still continue to find more ways to better the protocols of the pigeon control industry.

Are Feral Pigeons Really Pests?

2011-08-03T01:34:00.000-07:00

Feral pigeons first got their dirty nickname "flying rats" in a 966 The New York Times article. In 1980, the famous Stardust Memories film re-iterated this nickname and from then on, feral pigeons became known as such. However, many people still believe that feral pigeons are not pests but rather, they are urban heroes that bring a touch of nature in highly urbanized cities. Despite the association of feral pigeons to grey squirrels and rats, some people are still smitten by these birds.

Origins of City Birds

The ancestors of feral pigeons are called Columba livia or wild rock pigeons. About 6000 years ago, some noblemen on the Middle East started to domesticate rock pigeons. Pigeons have contributed a lot to the overall wellbeing of humans since then. Pigeons, along with rabbit warren, carp pond and dovecote became one of the primary source of meat in Europe. Pigeons can mate anytime of the year, so their population is not threatened even after being hunted for meat for the entire year. Pigeons also helped us in other ways apart from providing meat to us. Their faeces are known to be 10 times more loaded with nutrients that can be used as an effective fertilizer. Many farmers kept pigeons just for their faeces. Pigeons became extremely useful in the agriculture industry that some countries even founded their agricultural development on pigeons.

It is quite difficult to imagine how rare pigeon specie such as a rock pigeon can become the ancestor of the now overpopulated feral pigeons that we have in the cities. However, it would be easier to picture this out if we factor in the fact that pigeons are really excellent breeders. They are not picky with their nest too. They are comfortable even on a clay pot or a row of ledges. Farmers who take care of pigeons for their meat and their guano do not even worry about having to feed these birds a lot. It is the nature of pigeons to fly around and look for a place to forage. A pigeon can also give birth to about 10 baby pigeons or squabs each year. Thus, people can actually hunt down pigeons for their meet without having to worry about their population.

The Slow Decline

However, after some time farmers have figured out that chicken are far more profitable to rise because they can lay hundreds of eggs in a year and they can be mass produced through various feeds and supplements. Pigeons also found their new use: as targets in shooting games. Thus, although pigeons provide an excellent source of protein, many people still do not like eating them over chickens. Pigeons also become laboratory test subject. Scientist were able artificially produce the hormone that induces milk production in female mammals.

Another Use for Pigeons in the Past: Pigeon Post

Apart from their relatively recent nickname "flying rats", feral pigeons are also known as "city doves". They are also made to carry and deliver post from two communication parties. Some 3000 years ago, people began to exploit pigeons for this purpose. Pigeons in Syria and Persia also make use of pigeons in the same way. Sometime in 1850, a man named Paul Julius Reuters used pigeons to deliver news from Aachen to Brussels. After many years and thanks to the help that pigeons gave him, Mr Reuters now owns one of the largest news channels in the world.

Pigeons were also used by the American Signal Pigeon Corps sometime in 1940 to send messages to their fellow soldiers trapped in the world war. About 90% of all the messages sent via pigeon post penetrated enemy lines. The American Signal Pigeon Corps comprised of 54000 pigeons and 3150 soldiers, from which 54 soldiers obtained Dickin Medals while 32 pigeons survived the World War.

The Power of the Pigeons

Homing pigeons are still used to deliver courier today. There are remote places where the means for communication are still very limited. It was only in 2002 when the Police Pigeon Service in Orissa finally hit the sack. However, in 2009, a pigeon was used by an internet service provider to advertise their company. In the commercial, the pigeon is made to carry in its beak a 4GB storage memory card. Nonetheless, until now experts still can't explain why pigeons can find their way home no matter how busy they are the entire day. One common consensus is that maybe their flight is affected by the electromagnetic field around the Earth.

Pest Treatment

Despite the many help that feral pigeons have extended to the human civilization, it is still too difficult to take away the fact that pigeons in the city are not causing more harm than good. The faecal materials excreted by the pigeons are no longer useful in cities which have been fortified by cement. Instead of being a good help, their droppings are causing certain areas in the city to stink. The droppings also corrode the building in the city and at the same time, harbour microorganisms which can cause airborne diseases. Because of the fact that our dependence to pigeons is now slowly fading away, more and more people are inclined to look at them s pests.

Tourist Attraction in City Parks

For some reason, even though a lot of people consider feral pigeons as pests, many people still enjoy the scene of interacting with one of the thousands of pigeons that land in city park. People feed these birds; some people even build pigeon nests which they attach to the trees surrounding the park. Well, even though they have been labelled by "flying rats", pigeons are still very beautiful birds. The picture of a park full of beautiful birds is intriguing enough for tourists to come and visit the pigeon-infested government buildings and properties. It is really difficult to reconcile whether pigeons are pests or city heroes. As of now, the most that we can do is to wait and see what will become of the feral pigeons that live in the cities.

The Problem about Pigeons

2011-08-02T03:36:00.000-07:00

Pigeons may be just birds and would often look harmless to people. But the sheer number of pigeons that invade homes may just be the most difficult and appalling problem to any homeowners. To deal with that number of pigeons would be a constant battle with an army in flight and being humans as we are, we are always a little handicapped with aerial combats. Pigeon problems would always have to be addressed in any way as they actually do pose certain problems to any household. In order to give a better clarity on what sort of problems or damages can pigeons do to our homes, let's mention some of them.

Perhaps the primary problem with pigeons is that they seem to perpetually poop and when they do they poop just right about everywhere. Most of the population of households here in US complain about pigeons and mostly of the complaints are about their waste. The amount of cleaning up afterward is so considerable that at times people would have to hire professionals at some point in time to deal with the pigeon bombs from the sky. The amount of poop in itself is already quite intimidating, but it gets even worse when you go through the effects of the poop. As you can see, the pigeon poop doesn't only make your house look bad (and you say that poop stains are bad enough), their poop also have the characteristics to melt down certain stuff. The reason why their poop seem to react like a solvent to certain lightly composed materials is because their poop contains high levels of uric acid. Acids of course are always known to have the properties to dissolve certain things and the same goes as well with bird poop. That is why, apart from the complains of having dirty bird feces in the house, people would also often complain about premier wall paints wearing out, wall materials brittling down to pieces, even erode metal.

The more problematic part comes when they start do defecate on highly expensive and monumental stonework. Their dump could truly mark the face of a monument. It gets even more difficult when you get attempt to get rid of them. A pigeon dump that has not been removed for too long will attach itself on a structure adhesively and in order to thoroughly remove it, it will require certain pressurized lifts and hoses. The use of pressurize water hose in itself could damage good stonework already and after you are successful to have removed the dump, mark would definitely manifest itself, from paint discoloration to structure tarnishes.

Another problem that pigeons pose to human households is that their poop does actually carry certain diseases that are truly detrimental to the human health. If they are communicated through the most viable means, some of these diseases could definitely put a person out of the house for good. There are tons of bacteria, fungi, and even parasites that thrive in the pigeon droppings and we all know having any of those three would definitely not going to be good. There are about 60 known diseases that are derived from pigeon poop.

Also, pigeon feathers in themselves are carriers of mites, ticks, and fleas that also potentially carry harmful diseases that may truly put one's health in danger. This is because most of the pigeon infestations that take place have pigeons that are apparently relocating itself from one place to another in the city and would often find themselves scavenging through human trash bins in search for food. These mites could potentially carry the diseases and viruses from the waste materials that the birds are scavenging through.

In the present year, there has been around an estimated value of 1.1 billion dollars a year that pigeons cause. That statistic is in US alone and we could almost take a good grasp of how much damage they do in a year to the entire world.

With that amount of damage cost in every year, it is already necessary to appropriate the problem with certain counter actions in order to prevent any further damages already. It is quite important to ensure as well that the methods that are going to be used would be truly effective and efficient so that the problem can be thoroughly addressed. It is a big question now as to how to find a qualified and good quality of information and also how to avoid those that are definitely bogus. It is important that as researcher, you will be able to discern which information is right and which ones are misleading. Here are some tips on how to find useful information on dealing with pigeon problems.

When searching for information regarding finding pigeon control methods, you have to make sure that you are looking at the duly recognized organizations sponsored websites as they will most often offer the most quality information regarding the topic you are looking for, in this case, pigeon control. Another way to look for quality information about pigeon control is to scan through the other websites and search for popular information items. The more popular the item gets the more reliable it is. This only means that a lot of websites are discussing the information because they are aware of the credibility of it. Lastly, don't settle for websites that offer information in place of a purchase in return. This kind of websites is usually only hinged on profiteering and they will say anything at all just to make sure that they get your attention.

Most pigeon control methods are actually self doable. Once you have gained access of the necessary information tools regarding on how to get going with the process, you can readily apply the entire procedure yourself. It may not come easy at first, but sooner or later you will get around to it. Don't worry if you will commit mistakes at some point along the process, these mistakes will serve as your milestone experiences so that you can learn from them and be better next time.

Pigeon Control Basic Tips

2011-08-02T03:26:00.000-07:00

Gone are the days that inspired Elton John to write Skyline Pigeon. These birds have actually transformed from being loved creatures to loathed pests in the past few years because of the rapid increase of their population in human settlements. Their bizarre preference to buildings and other human structures as nesting places and their excessive dependence on humans for food have made these birds notorious pests both in cities and in urbanized rural areas. These birds also cause severe maintenance and degeneration problems to valuable structures in these places. Pigeon faecal materials are also deposited in large quantities all around the places where they build their nests. These droppings create a conducive breeding grounds for many harmful parasites which can actually cause various human illnesses and diseases.

It should be clear that pigeons are not protected animals. Thus, just like how "normal and right" it is for people to kill pest rats and mice, pigeon killing is also permitted by the state. These birds even earned the labelled as "rats with wings" which only emphasizes just how troublesome these birds have become. While the idea of having hundreds or thousands of pigeons in a park may seem alluring, the reality behind this picturesque scene is the fact that these birds can cause damages both to our health and to our properties.

Although the problem with pigeons is mostly related to their population and is generally a problem to the entire community and not just to a single household, individuals are still advised to participate in pigeon control in order to mitigate the effects of their habitation. Anyway, when a pair of pigeons finds your place suitable for nesting, it will be quite difficult to persuade them not proceed with what they want to do. In the end, you will also have your own personal share of pigeon-related problems. Thus, it is important that you pigeon-proof your house, most especially if pigeons are already habituating in your community.

You need to understand how pigeons behave in order to make your pigeon-proofing measures work. For example, the basic knowledge that these birds prefer to live in high areas will immediately give you a hint that they will most likely nest in your attic, ledger, rafter or awning. Having known this, you will already realize that you need to make these areas in your house inhabitable to pigeons by installing seal fillers, plates or screens. Apart from physically pigeon-proofing your house, you can also use tactile repellents which are quite effective in discouraging pigeons from landing on specific places in your house (i.e. your roof, porch, etc.). Examples of these repellents are:

1. Anti-Roosting Spikes - Call it deliberate and desperate but these spikes are actually very effective keeping the pigeons away. These spikes are simply fitted into some portions of the area which the pigeons land. Pigeons avoid these spikes because it can hurt them. However, the problem with this method is that it also makes that area inhabitable by other animals like your pet dog or cat. But that will not be much of a problem if you placed it somewhere high (like in your roof).

2. Chemical repellents - These chemical repellents are not meant to harm the birds. All that it does is it makes the surface on which the pigeon is supposed to land sticky. The chemical can also inflict pain to the bird once its feet touched a treated surface. These specialized chemical solvents are widely used in pigeon control because it is very easy to use.

3. Surface modification - Pigeons like to land on the top of buildings because of one reason: the top of these buildings are flat. Pigeons prefer to be on surfaces which allow them to move easily. Thus, you can actually make pigeons less attracted to come in your place if you modify the surfaces on which they perch.

4. Other Methods - You can use your creative mind to think of other ways to prevent pigeons from nesting in your house. You can actually hot-wire your fences to electrocute the birds (although this method may harm non-targets) or you can purchase an automated sprinkler control that turns on when pigeons land on your lawn.

Additional Tips:

1. One of the surest ways to lure pigeons into your house is feeding them. By all means, do not give these birds anything to eat, not unless you are ready for the repercussions.

Do not feed the pigeons!!! ;-)

2. You can make use of the natural predators of pigeons to scare them away from your property. One of the more prominent birds that feed on pigeons is the Red-tail hawk. Legal laws allow you to take a Red-tail Hawk at home as a pet. You can use this to your advantage and have your very own pigeon guard at home.

3. Pigeons and other pest birds usually nest on top of air conditioning units because these surfaces are warm and their nests are also difficult to spot when built on these surfaces. To prevent this from happening, you can actually use PVC panels and have them installed to serve as a barricade to your air conditioning unit.

People now refer to pigeons as "flying rats" for a good reason. These birds are actually quite difficult to drive away just like rats that there are instances when the problem with pigeons becomes too complex and difficult for non-professionals to handle. It is still most advisable for homeowners to commission the help of professionals whenever such situations arise. These are the same professionals who keep airports, schools, commercial centers and other significant infrastructures pigeon-free. Of course, a professional's service can be a little bit costly, but the added value of having a house that is free from pigeons can definitely outweigh whatever hesitation that you have about spending money on pigeon control. Nevertheless, just so you can make the most of the money that you will invest on pigeon control, try to find a professional pest control service provider or contractor who will offer quality services for a reasonable cost.

Avitrol

2010-08-31T02:36:00.000-07:00

The Effectiveness of Avitrol as a Chemical for Bird Pest Control

There is absolutely no doubt that the drug Avitrol has become a widely patronised product because of its efficacy in the treatment of pests among birds. It has the power to offer a solution that makes use of a bird’s natural behaviour in order to reduce or eliminate the existence of pests. This is an acute oral toxicant that would go straight to the central nervous system of the bird. It would then make the bird display some behaviour that imitates the fright response and this would frighten away the rest of your flock. Some of these birds are house sparrows, starlings, grackles, cowbirds, crows and blackbirds.

In order to make the drug work very well, there is the need to properly pre-bait and bait it. You would have to read all the requirements and directions as specified on the label of the drug. Even before you ever start to use the Avitrol there should be a prior understudying of the situation in order to evaluate the factors that would affect the administration of the drug. These include the logical places and times for feeding, foods already available to the birds, approximate flight patterns and whether the birds are resident or migratory.

When it comes to the pre-baiting part of the exercise, some of the crucial things that have to be done are to get the group used to feeding on the bait that is chosen. After a number of days of experience involved in feeding the flocks, they would consider the site not to be safe and would thus leave the place. This is indeed one of the best ways to determine the feeding or baiting sites before using the Avitrol baits that has been treated.

Just like the pre-baiting baiting is done best during sunrise. This is the time of the day when their metabolism rate is at the peak and therefore they would easily succumb to the Avitrol grain that is treated. When a dose is sub-dangerous, they would experience a recover phase which could be between four to five hours. When it is lethal, death of the birds would follow an hour after administration of the drug. Those birds that survive would not display any lasting effects. It is always good that one follows all the necessary guidelines on the label to ensure an effective administration.

When it comes to pigeons, the Avitrol is very effective on them. For the baiting, let 100 pigeons consume about 8 pounds of the grain each day. This would then assist you to know the amount needed for baiting and pre-baiting. For the control of the pigeons in urban areas, it is not desirable to have excessive bird mortality. In order to have the minimum of mortalities, the bait should be mixed with untreated grain of the same opposition as the Avitrol carrier. There should be the usage of trays nearly two or four feet with sides measuring one inch. The trays must be put in areas that are very accessible and visible to the pigeons.

It is important to note that the reacting or dead birds in the public areas could be very alarming to those who pass. Therefore it is important that one is able to collect and throw away any of the dead birds on a regular basis. This is especially the case when there would be unpleasant reaction from the public to this. Just like it has been clearly spelt out on the label, therefore when you are using Avitrol, ensure that take out the dead birds and throw them away by means of incineration or burial.

Especially for pigeon control, there is the need to do the clean-up and baiting work on days that follow till the population that is targeted does not come back to the area that is treated. After some initial treatment time, when the results appear to be very effective, the applications for the baiting can be done less regularly. In order to prevent any reaction from the public which is adverse, you would have to wait for a number of days before re-baiting. When this happens, then you would have to pre-bait before you do the re-baiting for it to be effective.

Bless you all,
Lora Ricardo
Pigeon Pest Control for Beginners

Pigeon Control Services

2010-08-31T02:28:00.000-07:00

Getting the Best of these Services

It is important to note that the issue of pigeons can be a really thorny one. This is because the activities of these birds could be quite harmful. It would interest you to know that the droppings of the pigeons can carry diseases that may be transferable to human beings. They are also corrosive and could cause damage to property and equipment. Moreover, there numbers are on the increase because man is now offering an unlimited supply of food for them in the form of food spills, garbage dumps among others. For this reason a number of people are always on the lookout for the best of pigeon control services.

When it comes to the issue of pigeon control services, there are several options that one can explore to make this effective. One of such is the use of the plastic bird spikes which is mostly used in public places where the pigeons love to live. This works very well as it denies the birds the ability to land. With the feet and wings splayed then thinking about landing would be almost impossible therefore they just move on. It would interest you to know that they need little or no maintenance at all. There are those that are blunted and as such are very secure for maintenance crews and birds.

There are also plastic spikes that are very useful as they could be used on rooftops, parapets, ledges and other structures and watch the pigeons as they fly away. When these spikes are not available in your home, the pigeons would surely feed in large numbers thereby destroying your vegetables, meat and bread. They are very cheap and because of this many people have chosen this method for other areas like intersecting roofs and big areas. These are very durable and can withstand the harsh weather conditions. The materials that are used are very eco-friendly, strong and tough. It is one of the most effective of the pigeon control services you can use. The only problem is that the pigeons can walk up to the spikes and then put in twigs till she walks all the way over the spikes. When the area is narrow, however the pigeon cannot do this.

Moreover, one of the best ways to control pigeons is the use of the birdshock. This is indeed a perfect way for you to control your pigeons. With the experience that has been gathered over the years, it has proven itself to be a very effective option that yields tremendous results. This is because there have been instances of places where pigeons seemed at home and spent a lot of time. However just after the birdshock was introduced, not even a single one was ever found there again. It is important to note however that this strategy is quite costly but it still produces tremendous results. This is because it cannot be seen easily.

Another of the pigeon control services that one can make use of is the bird netting. The fact that the pigeons pose the highest of destruction to structures makes this option very appealing. Pigeons have the ability to be very messy by because they can leave their droppings just about anywhere. Therefore the bird netting seems to be a very effective measure for their control. The good thing about this is that it is permanent since it prevents the pigeons from going inside.

It is always vital to recognize that most of these options for your pigeon control can be purchased from a number of pet stores and other stores alike. The good thing is that these very useful systems can also be purchased on the internet from some online stores. With this you would be able to get them delivered directly to your home without any hassle. However payment would have to be done with the use of an international payment platform.

The good thing about most pigeon control services is that they could be accessed on the internet. This is the other fabulous thing about these pigeon control services. You can make use of their services since a number of them come with telephone numbers and emails.

Bless you all,
Lora Ricardo
Pigeon Pest Control for Beginners