Pigeons are harmless birds that seem to be everywhere. However, they have this annoying habit of building nests in inconvenient places. A Pigeon nest is a health hazard that you should never find near your home.
Fortunately, being informed about the signs and habits of nesting pigeons can help you take proactive measures to address the situation before it becomes something more unpleasantly serious.
Therefore, this article will provide useful information about pigeon nests and how to remove them.
What is a pigeon nest?
In simple terms, a pigeon nest is a home a pigeon builds during breeding season. This nest is usually built in sheltered, protected areas, such as ledges, eaves, and other high-rise locations. Pigeons will often build their nests close to food sources.
A pigeon nest is typically made with sticks, twigs and other materials they collect from their surroundings. Known for their resourcefulness and ability to adapt quickly to any environment, pigeons make their nests in certain locations because they offer shelter from the elements and protection from predators.
A typical breeding season begins in spring, depending on the location and climate. Pigeons are monogamous, choosing one mate for life. Hence, they are very dedicated to their mates and make their nests together. Both the male and female will help to build the nest between late March and early April and incubate the eggs.
Once the eggs hatch, both parents take turns looking after the toiling ones known as squabs until they are old enough to leave the nest. This usually takes a period of four to six weeks.
Pigeons are also known to breed plenty of eggs frequently throughout the year. This also means that they tend to maintain their nests for a long time.
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Pigeon nest removal
Pigeons are cute birds but they can cause serious problems in any environment they make their nests. Therefore, it is fine to want to remove the nests to protect your environment.
However, can you remove a pigeon nest? The answer lies in the law of the land. In the United Kingdom, pigeons like other bird species, are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act of 1981. Therefore, it is illegal to remove a pigeon’s nest without taking certain steps.
First, nesting is critical to the survival of a pigeon. Pigeons do not have the sense of smell to find their nests in new locations. This means if you remove a pigeon nest, the parent may abandon their squabs and squabs need their parents to survive.
If you need to remove a pigeon nest, it is best to contact a professional bird control expert who can help you take steps to stop the pigeons from returning and building a new nest in the same location. Some of the measures of removal include using physical barriers, such as bird wire, netting or spikes; or using visual deterrents. You should also keep your environment clean by making sure there are no food scraps or anything that will attract a pigeon.
However, if removing pigeon nests is not illegal in your country, it is best to wait until all the young ones have grown and left the nest before removing it. This way, the pigeons will be forced to make their nests elsewhere.
Why are pigeon nests so bad?
Pigeon nests cause a lot of problems for people, and residential and commercial buildings. These problems include the following:
Disease transmission
Pigeons can carry and transmit several diseases, including salmonella and histoplasmosis. The diseases can be transmitted to humans through direct contact with pigeon droppings or through inhaling spores found in dried pigeon droppings.
Also, the nests can clog gutters and drainpipes, potentially leading to water contamination which can cause health problems.
Property damage
Pigeon droppings are highly acidic and can eat away at certain types of materials. These droppings can damage buildings and other structures.
Allergic reactions
Some people may be allergic to pigeons and may react if they inhale their droppings or feathers. Symptoms of allergic reactions include sneezing, coughing, and watery eyes.
Fire hazard
Pigeons often produce large quantities of droppings which can accumulate and create fire hazards, especially if they are near electrical equipment.
Slippery
Pigeon droppings are slippery and can cause accidents for pedestrians.
Finally, pigeons are incredibly loyal to their nests and can reproduce all year long. If left unchecked, you will be dealing with an infestation of pigeons which creates a nuisance, reducing the quality of life for people living around the affected area.
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