Optical and acoustic systems are effective and easy to assemble. Windmills don’t scare away pigeons just because of their movement. They also produce a noise that irritates the birds and makes them refrain from approaching. Colorful ribbons or a home-made mobile made of CDs and aluminum foil are also effective. “Plastic ravens have also proven their worth. Since ravens are a natural enemy of pigeons, the dummies are usually very effective. But only if you reposition the artificial bird from time to time,” says Christian Erdmann.
So-called bird slides are effective for protecting house roofs and are harmless to animals. These prefabricated acrylic sheets are smooth and will be avoided by the birds. If the pigeons have already started building their nests, you should remove the twigs and sticks that have already been laid down before you start protecting the area.
NO to safety nets and nail boards
Christian Erdmann advises against most of the standard defense mechanisms such as nail boards and safety nets: “Do not use any aids that can harm the animals. Pigeons, but also other birds, can injure themselves life-threateningly on the pointed nails or get caught in the nets so that they starve to death.”
Municipalities are also in demand
So-called pigeon houses have been used very successfully in numerous cities for years. «They are animal welfare-friendly and highly effective in the long term,» confirms Christian Erdmann. The approach points allow the animals to nest and provide species-appropriate food. «As a result, the droppings are no longer so damp and are nowhere near as dirty.» The pigeon houses are also particularly animal-friendly because sick birds are treated here by veterinarians and their houses are cleaned regularly. «Even the number of pigeons in a city can be significantly reduced within a few months by using several pigeon houses in a gentle way. Because part of the clutch is replaced by dummies such as lime eggs. Compared to other methods of birth control, this system has proven itself very well,” says the expert.
supports the wildlife station in Hamburg/Schleswig-Holstein with at least 100,000 euros annually. Every year, more than 1,800 native wild animals in need are given up, raised, given medical care and released back into the wild. More information about the wild animal station can be found at www./projekte/kooperationen/wildtierstation-hamburg.