5 Points to Understanding Vancouver, Burnaby, Richmond, & Surrey Pigeon Control
Do you have one or two pigeons frequenting your building or facility? Can you see pigeon droppings on your property? Take action! Do not wait, it will only get worse! If pigeon control action is taken, your property will be pigeon proofed indefinitely.
Vancouver, BC, Pigeon History
Pigeons and other pest birds, such as starlings and sparrows, came from European settlers. In Vancouver these pest birds have dramatically increased in numbers due to the availability of food, water, safe nesting areas, and mild weather. As a result, pigeon, starling, and sparrow numbers are increasing in many areas of British Columbia.
The Vancouver pigeon is a grey blue colour with iridescence feathers on the head and tail and a broad black band across the tail. Occasionally, there are mottled white or solid white pigeons. Also, we see pigeons with brown and grey colours.
Pigeon Factoids
- Pigeons are a no-native pest bird and can be legally removed or destroyed from your property;
- Pigeons do not migrate. They live and breed in Vancouver years round;
- Pigeons live 3 to 4 years in the wild and up to 16 years in captivity;
- A mating pair of pigeons will have 3 to 4 broods per year of 1 to 2 eggs each;
- Pigeon eggs hatch in 18 days;
- The young leave the nest within 35 days.
Pigeon (includes sparrows and starlings) Dangers, Risks and Problems
- Pigeons often bring ticks, lice, and bird mites to areas they nest and perch;
- Pigeons damage infrastructure and property caused by highly corrosive pigeon droppings;
- Birds and pigeons cause building damage by roosting and nesting in roof spaces, beams, building mechanical, ducts;
- Building damage from large number of pigeons – blocking gutters and roof drains and increasing fire risk;
- Damage from pigeons nesting and perching in HVAC air-conditioning units and other building mechanical;
- Pigeon dust and crap contaminating and destroying food and retail product such as patio furniture and food stuffs;
- Pigeon crap is slippery and cause passageways to be dangerous and increase owner liability, increasing insurance costs.
How to Prevent Pigeons on your Building:
A combination of lethal and non-lethal control techniques is likely to be the most effective long term solution to reducing the pigeon population. It is first best to try non-lethal, humane pigeon control techniques.
- Make sure that any food is properly enclosed to prevent pigeon access. This is the primary way to stop attracting pigeons is to eliminate food supply in the area.
- Immediately remove pigeon, and any other pest bird, nests before there are eggs.
- Birds do not give up building nests and it is important to do regular checks to destroy nests as soon as they are made.
- It is important to block any building access holes or openings. Often a little bird wire across openings can prevent pigeons or other birds from nesting on your facility.
Five Non-Lethal Bird Deterrents
- Stainless steel bird spikes;
- Bird exclusion netting;
- Bird repelling gels;
- Sound and laser units;
- Electric strips on perching areas.
Combinations of above methods can be applied with great effectiveness. Try to get your neighbours to work with you. Cooperation is key to bird control in your area.
