2 weeks Ago By Katherine McPhillips
Pigeon s are likely to come into gardens in spring to peck away at growing plants or crops, but it is important to know how to keep them away if you want to keep the garden healthy. These pesky birds are known to carry bacteria, fungi and even viruses through their droppings, which can contaminate soil. This can spread fungal diseases in the garden, which can cause plants to rot, but Adeel ul-Haq, an expert from Bunk Beds , has shared that pigeon droppings can also greatly damage homes.
Adeel said , " Pigeon droppings are highly acidic and can corrode everything from paint to metal surfaces in your garden. Not only this, but these droppings can then attract other pests , such as rats, which can cause further damage to your home." If you wish to keep pigeons away, the key is to find out where they like to perch in the garden and make that area unattractive to them.
Adeel said: "First take notice of where the pigeons spend most of their time in your garden and start there, for example, it could be around the bird bath, windowsills or even a garden bench. "Pigeons prefer flat surfaces so you can use things like spike strips which will deter them from perching, however, these can make your garden look unsightly and can be expensive." "For a cheaper and more aesthetic option, you can use tin foil.
All you need to do is scrunch up some balls of tin foil and dangle them on a piece of string, when the light then hits this foil it reflects and scares the pigeons away." It may sound bizarre, but tin foil is highly effective at keeping pigeons out of the garden as the rapid movement of it spinning in the wind mimics the movement of a predator Pigeons also have highly sensitive eyes, and tin foil's shiny reflective surface can catch in the sun and create a shimmering effect that will greatly irritate them. The constant movement and light will startle pigeons and make it harder for them to find a comfortable landing spot in the garden, making them more likely to move elsewhere.
Tin foil is one way to deter pigeons, but you can also hang up CDs and leftover pie dishes to achieve the same effect. Adeel ul-haq said: "Pigeons are creatures of habit, and if they think your garden is a safe space for them, they will return often. “The best way to keep pigeons out of your garden is to make it as unwelcoming as possible for them without hurting them, and a cheap way of doing so is using a roll of foil from the supermarket.
" This is a simple way to make your garden less appealing to them, but it should be noted that pigeons are quite clever and can eventually figure out if a garden is safe after a few weeks. The key to keeping pigeons away is to change where your deterrents are periodically and try different methods to keep these pesky birds confused. You can also try planting crops they are known to hate the smell of, growing certain white flowers that they think signal danger, and even putting up statues of birds of prey like owls or hawks.
.
