Are pigeons a nuisance on your balcony? You can drive them away with these DIY tips

For those who live in the city, pigeons are a constant presence, but this does not mean this is a pleasant thing; pigeons are very commonly found in most cities and have become accustomed to living alongside humans. The result? The owners of open spaces (like balconies and terraces) frequently find loads of pigeon excrement befouling these areas - which, in addition to being unpleasant for the eye and the nose, can also represent a health risk.

So, how can we get rid of these annoying birds? There are numerous solutions which are not always humane, and if we want to drive pigeons away without being too aggressive or cruel and without spending too much, there are numerous DIY tips that you can use. Some of these are listed below:

1. Old CDs

We all have old CDs and DVDs at home which no longer need or want; before throwing them in the trash, think about how they can be creatively reused! All birds are afraid of glittering objects and moving light reflections. CDs placed in the sun can create this effect: you can simply tie them to a piece of string and hang them up on your balconies to scare the birds and prevent them from roosting in the area.

2. Plastic bottles and other containers

Using the same principle described above, you can also create decorative bollards using old plastic bottles, foil sheets and tin cans. Anything that reflects light and makes noise will come in handy for scaring away birds. And you can indulge your creative side by letting your children help you to make these items. The important thing is that the materials used reflect the light.

3. Chillies

Spices can also help us in chasing away pigeons: take some chili powder or chili seeds and scatter them on the ground on the balcony or on your window sill. With its pungent smell, it will deter all animals, including pigeons. Alternatively, you can make a pepper spray which should be sprayed every 3/4 days in areas where the birds usually roost. You can make it simply by placing 15 g of chilli powder in 3 liters of water and leaving the mix to macerate for 10 days.

Remember that in general, all spices with very strong scents are suitable for this purpose: camphor, cinnamon, cloves, pepper and essential oils can help you in this task.

4. Nets

A final, excellent remedy to keep pigeons away - and also to prevent our dogs and cats from falling - is to use safety nets. They are usually visible from afar, so they do not spoil the visual impact of a building's facade. Additionally, they are very useful for apartment safety and easy to assemble.

However, always remember that the best method to keep any animals away is to always make sure that your surroundings are clean and free from food and water sources. What remedies do you use against pigeons?