How to Keep Pigeons Out of a Warehouse

Like many bird species in the United States, the pigeon was introduced to the new world by European settlers in the early 1600s. The domesticated birds escaped, mating with homing and racing pigeons to form feral flocks. Now considered pests, they eat grain used for food and spread disease with their droppings. Pigeon control is both legal and necessary. Various actions combined may be necessary to rid a warehouse of pigeon infestation.

Things You'll Need

  • Netting -- wire, plastic or nylon
  • Bird spikes
  • 16- to 18-gauge steel wire
  • L-brackets
  • Sheet metal
  • Wood
  • Styrofoam blocks
  • Nails
  • Glue
  • Paint
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Identify the bird as a pigeon. The birds are gray with a white rump, two black bars running vertically on the wings with a broad black band on the tail and red feet. Pigeons can be gray, white, tan or black and are 11 inches in length. Pigeons are found worldwide and lay eggs year-round. They eat seed and grain and live in lofts, attics, warehouses, barns and city buildings.

    • 2

      Add netting to building openings. Place rustproof, quarter-inch wire, plastic or nylon mesh netting at access points on the building. Attach the netting to the underside of rafters with staples to keep the birds out of the protected areas used for overnight roosting and nesting.

    • 3

      Attach bird spikes to window sills, ledges, eaves and roof peaks. Made from stainless steel, the sharp spikes point upward and face out at all angles. The pigeons cannot comfortably land or sit on the spikes and are deterred from landing where the spikes have been placed.

    • 4

      Stretch steel wire across ledges. Parallel strands of 16- to 18-gauge steel wire stretched across a ledge, window or other opening and secured at both ends to L-brackets will prevent pigeons from landing on the ledge and roosting. Use three strands and space them at two, five and seven inches above the surface to keep the birds from getting between the strands.

    • 5

      Build a slope on the ledge. Changing the angle of the roosting or perching surface of a roof or ledge to 45 degrees or more will prevent the pigeons from roosting. They will simply slide off the slope. Use sheet metal, wood, Styrofoam blocks or stone and fasten it to the ledge or roof with nails or glue. Paint the material to match the surrounding building.