The birds can cause a lot of mess and damage
Lots of gardeners love seeing birds, but pigeons are not so popular(Image: (Image: Getty))
Homeowners keen to keep pesky pigeons from their gardens have been recommended a pungent solution that’s free from harsh chemicals.
While pigeons may seem harmless as they flap around your garden, their unsanitary nesting habits and droppings can cause harm.
Though pigeons are generally not aggressive, they can spread airborne diseases and carry over fifty types of ectoparasites, reports the Manchester Evening News.
Before resorting to strong chemicals or deterrents, there’s apparently an effective solution that’s non-toxic, unobtrusive, and highly disliked by pigeons.
According to experts at OVO Control, using ‘optical gel’ can deter pigeons from your garden. They state: “[This] contains citronella and peppermint oil, which are mild and pleasant to humans, but offensive to birds.”
The gel is said to target pigeons using a combination of sight, smell, and touch, emitting ultraviolet (UV) light that birds can see but humans cannot.
To a pigeon, this UV glow appears as fire, naturally triggering a strong avoidance response.
Unlike spikes or netting – which can be difficult to install and visually obtrusive – optical gel comes in small, pre-filled dishes that are quick to position.
The idea is to place a couple of these at different spots throughout your garden – ideally on a balcony, ledge or fence.
For an even more natural solution, bird control experts at Hawkeye suggest that introducing certain plants into your garden can act as a bird deterrent.
Planting peppermint, marigold, and lavender can not only brighten up your garden but also create an environment that pigeons will not favour.
The potent scents released by these plants are generally disliked by birds, deterring them from settling in the area.