ARE PEST PIGEONS A PROBLEM IN WINTER?
While it’s true that most birds prefer to escape to warmer climates for winter, pigeons are an exception. They have traits that make them highly adaptable to survive in cold weather. They find it even easier to survive by roosting in or on buildings that provide shelter and warmth. Once they find the perfect spot to roost, nest and breed, their population will quickly increase and before you know it, you’re left to deal with an outbreak.
If you’re concerned about having pigeons in your home or business this winter, continue reading to find out more about how to identify, prevent and treat a pigeon problem before it gets out of hand.
What questions will this article answer?
How do pigeons survive in winter?
Pigeons have several physical, behavioural and physiological characteristics which make them well adapted to survive in cold weather.
Why are pigeons a pest in winter?
While pigeons can survive well in cold conditions, this is made even easier by the abundance of entry points inside buildings in urban areas, which provide warmth and shelter. This enables pigeons to roost, nest and breed inside your home and business – paving the way for an outbreak.
What are signs of a pigeon outbreak?
You may hear bird noises, observe pigeons roosting, see droppings and nesting material scattered about, damage to your garden and plants as well as water damage.
Problems caused by a pigeon outbreak
Pigeons can spread diseases such as the flu and cause gastroenteritis, trigger allergies, damage buildings, contaminate food, supplies and water and cause health and safety hazards.
How to protect your home from pigeons this winter
We recommend removing all potential sources of food and water from your roof and yard, sealing gaps and entry points, removing and destroying empty nests and engaging Allstate’s solar panel cleaning and proofing service.
Professional pigeon removal
Allstate offers a range of modern, effective pigeon managing services including installing bird netting, spikes, wire traps and an electronic deterrent system. We have recently introduced OvoControl, a breakthrough product in bird control technology, for a zero-harm way to prevente pest birds and pigeons.
Choose Allstate for effective protection from pigeons this winter
Since 1986, Allstate has been providing fast, humane and safe pigeon removal services to homes and businesses across all suburbs of Adelaide. Our highly-responsive, fully equipped team is available 24/7 for emergency call outs. We take care to only use products and treatments which are non-toxic to children, pets and the environment.
How do pigeons survive in winter?
You may notice there are less birds in winter, and this is because many of them fly away to warmer climates to escape the chill.
However, you’ll find that pigeons are the exception. They have several physical, behavioural and physiological characteristics which make them well adapted to survive in cold weather.
Feathers
Besides providing insulation and protection from the harsh conditions, pigeons may fluff their feathers to trap air around their bodies, providing additional warmth.
Waterproofing
Pigeons have special oil secreting uropygial or preen glands, which help to keep their feathers dry when it rains.
Regulating body temperature
Pigeons can reduce their exposure to the cold by tucking in their head and feet, sticking their feathers down and crouching. In extreme conditions, they can also constrict blood flow to their feet to further prevent heat loss.
Socialised behaviour
Flocks of pigeons are comfortable to huddle and roost close together to share warmth.
Diet changes
In autumn, pigeons may seek food sources that are high in calories to gain weight for insulation. This includes seeds and fruit. During winter, they will continue to eat extra food and include grains, rice, nuts and insects. For extra energy, they may even opt to eat protein-rich food such as meat.
They are excellent scavengers
Pigeons are very resourceful and will look for food anywhere. So even if their preferred food sources such as insects and earthworms become scarce in winter, they will hunt around for food in rubbish bins, compost bins, dumpsters and bird feeders. Pigeons will fly along the streets searching for scraps from cafes, restaurants and parks.
Nocturnal hypothermia
On cold nights, pigeons shiver to raise their metabolism. They can also reduce their overall body temperature if needed.
Protecting baby pigeons
To ensure the survival of their offspring, adult pigeons add extra insulation and waterproofing to their nests.
Why are pigeons a pest in winter?
Since pigeons are very attached to their nests, they’re fortunate to have developed many attributes which help them survive in their preferred location during winter. So it’s important that they choose a spot which provides them optimum protection from the harsh elements.
Besides sturdy tree trunks, there are many places in urban areas which offer shelter and warmth for pigeons.
As they are naturally attracted to the heat emitted from buildings during winter, pigeons can find access points to nesting spots in roof ventilators, attics, wall and roof spaces. They are capable of squeezing through gaps as small as an inch wide.
Once they enter your home or business and find a suitable nesting spot, it doesn’t take long for pigeons to build nests and lay eggs. This means that within a short amount of time you’ll be faced with a full-blown outbreak.
Signs of a pigeon outbreak
If you’re experiencing any of the following problems around your home or business, it’s best to contact Allstate for a pigeon inspection as soon as possible.
Bird noises
You can hear frequent chirping and crying from baby pigeons coming from your roof.
Pigeon droppings
Look for an accumulation of messy brown-white deposits where your suspect pigeons are roosting and nesting.
Pigeons roosting
You can see many pigeons roosting on the roof, eaves, gutter, balcony, window ledges or chimney.
Nesting material
Pay attention to an increase in clutter scattered around your yard and roof. In particular, look for leaves, pine needles, grass stems, twigs, straw and other suitable nesting debris.
Damage to your garden and plants
Your native plants may be targeted by pigeons pecking and fouling around your yard.
Water damage
Bird nest debris, droppings and feathers can build up along gutters, clog drains and downpipes, resulting in blockages, overflowing water and leakage in and around your building.
Noticing signs of a pigeon outbreak? Speak to an Adelaide pigeon removal expert today
or
Problems caused by a pigeon outbreak
Flocks of pigeons swarming around your home or business can create many issues, so it’s best to prevent an infestation from happening in the first place.
Spreading diseases
Bird droppings and feathers can carry nasty bacteria such as e-coli and salmonella. This can lead to illnesses such as gastroenteritis. They can also host viruses, fungi and parasites and spread diseases such as the flu, ornithosis, toxoplasmosis, encephalitis, histoplasmosis and cryptococcosis.
Triggering allergies
Parasites such as bird mites, bed bugs, ticks, mites and clothes moths can be carried by pigeons and their bites can trigger allergies in some people.
People who have serious bird allergies may also experience Bird Fancier’s Lung.
Damage to buildings
Pigeon droppings can cause discolouration and tarnish the appearance of buildings. Furthermore, they contain highly corrosive uric acid which can cause furniture, equipment, machines, construction materials and paint to rust and deteriorate.
Contamination of food, supplies and water
Poor hygiene and sanitisation can result from bird droppings, pecking, discarded feathers and debris from bird nests and dead birds.
Health and safety hazard
Fresh bird droppings on footpaths, steps and fire escapes can be slippery.
How to protect your home from pigeons this winter
The last thing you need is to worry about pigeons roosting in and around your roof. There are a few steps you can take during the onset of cold weather to make sure that you and your family won’t have to face the inconvenience of managing unwanted pigeon house guests.
Firstly, we recommend removing all potential sources of food and water from your roof and yard to prevent pigeons from being attracted to your property. This includes fallen fruit, seeds, insects, pet food and water bowls.
Take care to properly seal all gaps and entry points and install mesh screens over chimneys.
Then, you’ll need to locate and remove nests and destroy any empty nests to prevent pigeons from returning. Remember to thoroughly clean and disinfect the affected area afterwards.
Solar panel proofing and cleaning
It’s common to find pigeons nesting underneath solar panels as they provide warmth and safety. Unfortunately, they can leave behind a mess and cause damage to your panels, causing them to work less effectively. At Allstate, we offer a service to help maintain and protect your panels from pigeons. Read more about our solar panel proofing and cleaning service here.
Need help with pigeon-proofing your home or business? Contact Allstate today
or
Professional pigeon removal
If you are experiencing an outbreak of pigeons, Allstate is here to help. Our pest control technicians use a range of techniques to prevent pigeons from perching on your roof and settling down in your roof space. This includes installing bird netting, spikes, wire, traps or even an electronic deterrent system. Read more about our most effective solutions for managing pest birds here.
OvoControl
At Allstate, we aim to offer the most humane, yet most effective solutions to help our clients remove their pest bird and pigeon problems. That’s why we always stay up to date with the latest in pest control innovations.
A recent breakthrough in bird control technology, the OvoControl system offers a humane and safe approach to prevente a pigeon outbreak naturally and with minimal disruption.
OvoControl works as a form of birth control to drastically reduce the pigion population. It AI-controlled automatic feeding baits containing Nicarbazin, an RSPCA-approved compound designed to disrupt egg fertilisation in pest birds. While humane, OvoControl is highly effective; it has been shown to significantly remove bird outbreaks within 2 years.
Speak to an Allstate customer service representative today to find out how OvoControl can help you manage pesky pigeons once and for all.
For a reliable pigeon removal service, speak to an experienced Allstate technician today
or
Choose Allstate for effective protection from pigeons this winter
As they are well adapted to survive winter, pest pigeons can cause problems by seeking shelter and warmth in your home or business. At Allstate, we understand the stress and disruption this can cause to your daily life and work.
That’s why we have a highly experienced team of pigeon removal experts to assist with managing your pigeon outbreak quickly, safely and humanely. We have a range of modern solutions using cutting-edge technology including OvoControl to ensure that you and your family are protected from future outbreaks.
Since 1986, Allstate has been providing pest control services to homes and businesses across all suburbs of Adelaide. Our highly-responsive, fully equipped team is available 24/7 for emergency call outs. We take care to only use products and treatments which are non-toxic to children, pets and the environment.