How to Trap Pigeons

Pigeons are about as common as asphalt on city streets throughout the world. All across the globe, pigeons have continuously evolved and adapted to successful living in urban environments. Much like the rat, pigeons are natural scavengers who have a head for picking at garbage and scraps found on city streets. Pigeons are less than desirable animal neighbors as they can carry diseases like salmonella. Their nests can attract other pests like bedbugs and other disease carrying insects. ^{[1]XResearch source} Pigeon droppings can also be hazardous and quite a nuisance to clean up. This article addresses how to keep pigeons away from your property, trap them, and dispose of them.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Keeping Pigeons Away Humanely

Download Article

1
Keep your property clean. Pigeons are natural scavengers who thrive off the waste that humans leave behind.
- If you maintain a clean property, free of food scraps and loose fruit and vegetation, you are decreasing the chance that pigeons will roost by your home or apartment building.
- While this may not prevent the pigeons from occasionally traveling through, they probably won't be sticking around long.
- Make sure you have trash cans and/or dumpsters that can close. This will keep pigeons and other pests away.
2
Kick them out of their roosting sites. Place fence or netting around the areas where pigeons roost. ^{[2]XResearch source}
- Placing these types or netting and wire around the ledges and perches of your property will effectively encourage pigeons to set up shop elsewhere.
- Before they set up residence, you can cover ledges and other roosting spots with sheet metal. Set this at an angle as it will be difficult for pigeons to roost on a slope.
- You can also prevent pigeons from roosting with bird netting. This will keep pigeons at bay without harming them.
- Place bird netting around trees and barn rafters.
Advertisement
3
Buy "bird strips" for your house. These are rows of small spikes that prevent pigeons from congregating and roosting. ^{[3]XResearch source}
- These strips of spikes. are placed around the perimeter of large buildings.
- They are spaced out specifically to prevent pigeons from resting and roosting on roofs and fences.
- These are relatively inexpensive and humane.
4
Use a "scare pigeon". These are essentially the equivalent of scarecrows, but designed for pigeons. ^{[4]XResearch source}
- These come in many different forms, from fake owls to flying model hawks.
- Pigeons may get used to a model owl sitting in one place for a long period of time.
- The most effective kind are model hawks attached to a kite with streamers. These will move in the wind and trick pigeons into thinking a predator is near.

Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Trapping Pigeons

Download Article

1
Obtain a pigeon trap. ^{[5]XResearch source}
- These are typically in the form of large cages with a single door.
- There are some more elaborate types of traps but simple ones are relatively inexpensive.
- You can usually trap multiple pigeons in a single trap.
2
Place some bait. Do this in an area where you plan to place your pigeon trap.^{[6]XResearch source}
- Let the pigeons feed off it for a few days.
- The pigeons will become used to feeding there and will continue to return to the area.
- Once the pigeons return continually for a few days you can place a trap.
3
Place your trap. Do this where you've been placing bait or where they roost.^{[7]XResearch source}
- Leave the door open at first. Don't set the trap.
- You will want the pigeons to get used to the trap's presence in their feeding or roosting area.
- Place some bait inside the trap in the meantime to get the pigeons used to going inside of it. Cracked corn works best.
4
Set your trap. Do this once a large hoard of pigeons has assembled. ^{[8]XResearch source}
- You will want to trap as many as possible at once.
- Make sure to put in fresh bait regularly.
- Make sure the trap is secure where you've placed it.
5
Keep some pigeons in the trap. Once you've trapped them, the presence of the birds will lure other pigeons to the area. ^{[9]XResearch source}
- It will be easier to trap more pigeons if they keep coming to the area.
- Remember to continually refresh the bait in your trap.
- Be careful when dealing with live birds or going near their roosting area.

Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Disposing of Pigeons

Download Article

1
Drive a long distance and set the birds free. You won't want to let them go on your own property or they will just roost again in the same spot.^{[10]XResearch source}
- This will only really work well if the pigeons have only recently roosted on your property.
- Pigeons that have been in a place for a long time will find their way back, even from a distance.
- Contrary to opinion, pigeons are very intelligent and can find their way back to a roost from very far distances.
- The best combination of methods is to use preventatives like netting and bird strips as well as traps to get rid of a pigeon problem.
2
Kill the birds using a gun. Killing the pigeons should only be a last resort when all humane methods have failed. You don't want to unnecessarily harm an animal.
- While pigeons are not always a standard in rural areas, they are not wholly uncommon.
- If you have annoying pigeons on your large property, it will be easy to shoot and kill pigeons with a low caliber gun like a .22 caliber rifle.
- Because pigeons have, over time, developed a tolerance for humans and are rarely scared in their presence, it should not be very difficult to get a good shot.
Warning! It is illegal in many places to harm or kill wildlife, so only use a gun when you are sure; however, it’s more likely there are less rules when in rural areas.
3
Use bird-controlling poison. Again, this should only be done as a last resort as it is inhumane.
- Bird poison can hurt other animals, so be careful if you or your neighbors have pets. Be aware of other non-threatening wildlife in your area as well.
- By baiting and poisoning pigeons, you can easily eliminate them.
- How to dispose of a large number of dead pigeons is a big concern and poison is inhumane, so only poison pigeons as a last resort.
- Try all preventative and humane methods before resorting to this.

Community Q&A

Search

Add New Question

Question
How can I tell the gender of a pigeon?
Community Answer
During mating season, the male pigeon plumps his chest out, and they have slightly darker plumage than the females year-round.
Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If How.com.vn has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission.Support How.com.vn
Yes No
Not Helpful 11 Helpful 27
Question
How can I attract pigeons to my terrace?
Community Answer
Leave out food, like seed or bread.
Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If How.com.vn has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission.Support How.com.vn
Yes No
Not Helpful 9 Helpful 36
Question
Why do the pigeons keep avoiding my traps?
michael jones
Community Answer
It may be they don't like the surrounding area of the traps or the bait. Change the locations and bait.
Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If How.com.vn has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission.Support How.com.vn
Yes No
Not Helpful 6 Helpful 26

See more answers

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Tips

It's always a good idea to use a face mask and gloves when going near pigeons or their droppings.
Thanks
Helpful1 Not Helpful0

Submit a Tip

All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published

Submit

Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

Warnings

Use extra caution when cleaning up bird droppings. These can harbor dangerous bacteria.
Thanks
Helpful1 Not Helpful1
Be careful when working around pigeon roosts. They can carry diseases.
Thanks
Helpful1 Not Helpful1