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Pigeons | Pigeon Overview | Pigeon Damage Assessment | Pigeon Damage Management | Pigeon Acknowledgments | Pigeon Resources | ICWDM | Wildlife Species Information |
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Pigeons and Sparrows
Pigeons and house sparrows are urban and farmyard birds whose droppings deface and deteriorate buildings. Around storage facilities they consume and contaminate grain. Pigeons and sparrows may carry and spread various diseases to people, primarily through their droppings (Weber 1979). Droppings allowed to accumulate over several years are of particular concern because they may harbor spores of the fungus that causes histoplasmosis. House sparrows can damage small grain crops but this is normally of economic concern only around agricultural experiment stations with small but valuable research plots (Royall 1969). Sparrows build bulky grass nests in buildings, drain spouts, and other sites where they can cause fire hazards or other problems.
Summary of Damage Prevention and Control Methods
Exclusion
Screen eaves, vents, windows, doors, and other openings with 1/4-inch (0.6-cm) mesh hardware cloth.
Change angle of roosting ledge to 45o or more.
Attach porcupine wires (Cat ClawTM, NixaliteTM), ECOPICTM, or Bird BarrierTM to roosting sites.
Install electrical shocking device (Avi AwayTM, FlyawayTM, Vertebrate Repellent System [VRSTM]) on roost sites.
Construct parallel or grid-wire (line) systems.
Habitat Modification
Eliminate food supply. Discourage people from feeding pigeons in public areas. Clean up spilled grain around elevators, feed mills, and railcar clean-out areas. Eliminate standing water.
Frightening
Visual and auditory frightening devices are usually not effective over long periods of time. Avitrol® (a chemical frightening agent)
Repellents
Tactile: various nontoxic, sticky substances (4 -The BirdsTM, HotfootTM, Tangle footTM, Roost No MoreTM, and Bird-ProofTM). Odor: naphthalene flakes
Toxicants
Oral: DRC-1339, used under supervision of USDA-APHIS-ADC only. Avitrol®, depends on bait concentration.
Contact: Rid-A-BirdTM perches containing fenthion (use with great care; can be hazardous to nontarget species).
Fumigants
Generally not practical.
Trapping
Several live trap designs are effective.
Shooting
Where legal.
Other Control Methods
Alpha-chloralose (immobilizing agent used under the supervision of certified personnel only).
Nest removal.
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Pigeons | Pigeon Overview | Pigeon Damage Assessment | Pigeon Damage Management | Pigeon Acknowledgments | Pigeon Resources | ICWDM | Wildlife Species Information |
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