Pigeons have become public enemy number one as far as pest birds are concerned. The common pigeon also known as a rock dove first came the North America by people from Europe who settled in Canada in the early 1600s. pigeons that escaped from settlers formed the wild flocks you see in our cities today. These wild birds live among city buildings, bridges, and other man-made structures in the same way their ancestors used to live among cliffs and rocky ledges. Pigeons can live up to 15 years and mate of life. Their homing instincts will bring them back to their same nesting and roosting areas. It has become a widespread problem in cities and suburbs alike. Pigeons cause thousands of dollars a year in cleanup and repair costs to homeowners, building owners, municipal buildings and others.

Pigeons make flimsy nest, and will reuse the location repeatedly, building new nests on top of old ones. Pigeons do not bother to remove the feces of their young, so the nest turns into a hard, pot like mound that gets larger each month. Un-hatched eggs and the mummies of dead nestlings will also get cemented into the nest making it even more of a health hazard. Nest sites are used repeatedly and nesting material is added for each new brood, making for very unsightly displays. A pair may raise 5 or more broods a year. Pigeons do not migrate, but if displace from a nesting area, can return from long distances because of their homing ability.

Controlling Pest Pigeons:

Federal law does not protect feral pigeons and most states do not give them protection. State and local laws should be consulted, however, before any control measures are taken. Some cities are considered bird sanctuaries that provide protection to all species of birds.

Bird-X STS-10-R Stainless Bird Spikes Kit

Bird-X SP-10-NR Bird Spikes Kit

Bird B Gone Bird Chase Super Sonic #MMIB50

Bird-X OWL Prowler Owl with Moving Wings

Predators:

Hawks and other large animal-eating birds (birds of prey) catch and eat pigeons. The Peregrine Falcon is a bird of prey that lives in some cities and feeds on pigeons. In many cities, however, pigeons have no enemies. One species of falcon, Merlin, eats so many pigeons its scientific name is Falco columbarius (with the "columba-" meaning pigeon) and it was formerly called Pigeon Hawk. Merlins are medium-sized falcons and although they are not very common in cities, you can bet they are preying on pigeons living in open parks near marshes and ponds. In cities where Peregrine Falcons have become established, they catch and eat feral pigeons, often carrying them back to feed to their nestlings. Red-tailed and Cooper's hawks also prey on pigeons in cities and in rural areas.

Habitat Modification:

Elimination of feeding, watering, roosting, and nesting sites is important in long-term pigeon control. Discourage people from feeding pigeons in public areas and clean up spilled grain around elevators, feed mills, and railcar clean-out areas. Eliminate pools of standing water that pigeons use for watering. Modify structures, buildings, and architectural designs to make them less attractive to pigeons.

Pigeon Deterrents:

There are several deterrents on the market that will help to keep pest pigeons off of your property.

Bird Spikes are the most common, economical and easiest to install of the physical deterrents. You simply install the bird spikes on the flat surface that the pigeons are landing on. The bird spikes make it so they can no longer land; thus they will move to another area.

Bird Netting is another physical deterrent that is used to exclude pest pigeons from areas such as warehouses, under eaves of homes, under canopies and other large open areas. A professional installer such as a pest control operator or bird control specialist best installs bird netting.

Shock Systems can also be used on commercial buildings to deter pest pigeons. They will receive a mild shock when they come in contact with the track. This will change their habit of landing on the surface. This is also a product best installed by a professional.

There are other method and products available to deter pest pigeons. It is recommended that if you have a large scale problem that you consult a professional to help determine the best method to get rid of the pest pigeons.

Author: Fran Prisco

Need help to get rid of pest birds? Contact Bird-B-Gone, Inc. the experts in bird control solutions since 1992. Call today 1-800-392-6915 or visit us at http://www.birdbgone.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Fran_Prisco

Technorati Tags: get rid of pigeons, get rid of vermin, Pigeons, vermin

How to Control the Grey Squirrel Population

Squirrels have three of four litters per year, with each litter producing an average three infants. They reach maturity in approximately 10 months and their average life span is 2 years.

Grey squirrels are part granivore and part omnivore. Common vegetation eaten by the grey squirrel includes acorns, flowers, tree shoots, nuts etc. aswell as fruits, roots and cereals. They also cause damage to trees by stripping off the bark and feeds off the sappy tissue beneath. Occasionally grey squirrels will feed on insects and bird eggs and they eat approximately 50 grams a day.

Control

The grey squirrel is a serious pest problem and control is necessary. They cause damage to trees by stripping the bark off them. They damage parks and gardens (by eating away at flower beds etc), and in urban areas they are often found damaging roof timbers, electrical wiring and plumbing after gaining access to the loft spaces.

Control methods include shooting, trapping by using cages and spring traps or the use of poisons. The use of poisons is strictly by professional use only and licenses are required under the Grey Squirrel (Warfarin) Order 1973.

Squirrel cage traps and squirrel traps designed to kill on impact are somewhat easy to set. Single or multi catch cage traps are readily available for grey squirrels. When using the single cage traps outdoors, one unit should be effective for up to one hectare, and spaced around 100 metres apart from another. If using a multi-catch cage trap, one unit is suitable for three hectares and should be spaced 200 metres apart.

The best position for cage traps is under trees which are known to be used by the pest or in hedges. Ideally the ground should be clear of vegetation,

Pre-baiting of the cage traps is essential to the successfulness of the programme. Maize is a good attractant and it should be placed inside the trap for five continuous days. The trap needs to be visited twice a day and users should expect immediate success after a couple of days of pre-baiting. Cages can also be used in roof spaces etc in the same manner.

Once grey squirrels are caught in cages, they should be immediately humanely destroyed. One method is by running the squirrel into a sack and striking it with a sharp blow to the head.

By:

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

If you are suffering from a squirrel nuisances why not try squirrel traps available from PPC Supplies.

Technorati Tags: get rid of grey squirrels, get rid of vermin