Nuneaton & Bedworth Borough Council
Tel: 024 7637 6376
Monday to Friday 9:00am to 5:00pm

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Nuneaton Town Hall
Coton Road, Nuneaton,
Warwickshire, CV11 5AA

Bedworth Area Office
High Street, Bedworth,
Warwickshire, CV12 8NF

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Feral Pigeons

The Borough Council does not offer a service for the treatment of pigeons. Details of pest control contractors can be obtained from the yellow pages or via the British Pest Control Association (BPCA) who can be contacted on 0870 609 2687 or visit their website at www.bpca.org.uk.

Information on Pigeons

Pigeons may live for as long as 13 years and can breed throughout the year, providing they have a plentiful supply of food. They may produce as many as nine broods in one year. The most important factor in determining the size of pigeon populations is food. Their food preference is grain or seed, but they also scavenge and eat whatever they can find, including food placed on bird tables and discarded scraps from bins and food outlets.

Damage:

Pigeon droppings are not only unsightly but, because of their acidity can cause damage to buildings and other structures. Nesting material, droppings, feathers and dead pigeons can block gutters and air vents and contaminate water tanks.

Public Health:

Pigeons carry diseases, some of which may be passed on to humans if droppings contaminate food. For this reason special care must be taken to ensure that they do not colonise areas in the vicinity of food premises. They also carry mites and contaminated dust may cause respiratory problems. Pavements, ladders and fire escapes covered in droppings are often slippery, especially after rain, which may lead to accidents.

Control:

Culling of the pigeon population is not usually considered to be effective because other pigeons quickly take their place especially if the conditions that initially attracted pigeons to the site remain. The most effective form of control is to remove their food source. Members of the public should be actively discouraged from feeding pigeons and steps taken to reduce or remove the availability of sources of food. It is important that buildings such as warehouses are proofed to ensure that pigeons are unable to gain access.

Many buildings have ledges and other areas, which provide opportunities for roosting. Bird control techniques can be carried out by pest control contractors but with various degrees of success. These mainly involve treating surfaces of buildings and other structures to prevent or discourage roosting. The success of these methods is very much dependant on the thoroughness of the treatment.

As already mentioned, the culling of pigeons has not been found to be an effective method of control as the flock is quickly replenished. However, a technique whose use is increasing and is both humane and effective is to set up dedicated feeding centres in the form of pigeon cotes, which provide food and shelter encouraging pigeons to roost. The area in the vicinity of the cote can then be kept clean and the eggs removed at regular intervals. A cote can also provide a site where people who want to feed pigeons can do so.

For more specific and expert advice we recommended you contact the Pigeon Control Advisory Service (PiCAS) on 023 9258 3540 or see their website at www.picasuk.com