It’s easier than you might think
It is actually very easy to deter pigeons from gardens (Image: DESPITE STRAIGHT LINES (Paul Williams) via Getty Images)
Pigeons may be harmless, but they can prove a real headache for gardeners. As sociable creatures that move in large flocks, they’ll happily peck away at any plants in their path.
Come spring, pigeons tend to wreak havoc on gardens while foraging for seeds, and any flowers or crops they spare can still be ruined by their droppings.
Being considerably larger than most other British garden birds, pigeons frequently intimidate popular visitors such as robins, blackbirds and goldfinches, driving them away from the area altogether.
Shifting pigeons can prove particularly challenging, as they’re accustomed to human presence and largely unbothered by typical deterrents such as noise or ultraviolet devices.
Pigeons travel in groups which is why they can be so destructive to gardens(Image: Getty)
However, Gemma Sharp from Garden Wildlife Direct has revealed that the most straightforward solution is simply to stop leaving out food that they absolutely love.
Gemma said: “Bird food is a main attraction to pigeons and, as ‘bully birds’, they won’t play nicely with others that try to visit your feeder once they’ve claimed it. Naturally, this will drive away the exciting garden birds that you want to see.”
She added: “Wheat-free foods deter pigeons and other larger birds like pheasants, whereas mixes which are seed-dense ensure smaller birds get a chance to eat. Other foods pigeons don’t like include peanuts in the shell, suet and mealworms.”
Anyone with a garden can deter pigeons if they stop leaving a common item outside(Image: Getty)
Why should you never leave bread out for birds?
One of the most underrated methods of deterring pigeons is simply changing the bird food you leave outside, yet it remains remarkably effective, given that pigeons are typically drawn to gardens by the sight of bread or food scraps, reports the Express.
The primary motivation for pigeons venturing into gardens is to locate an easily accessible food source, and throughout history they would feast on wheat and barley cultivated by humans.
Pigeons are instinctively drawn to wheat as a dependable food source, which is precisely why you should avoid leaving bread or cheap bird seeds containing corn in your garden, as this will only encourage them.
Smaller garden birds, however, tend to show little interest in grains, preferring instead fatty foods and insects that hold far less appeal for pigeons.
By leaving out sunflower seeds, nyjer seeds, crushed peanuts or mealworms, pigeons lose much of their incentive to visit your garden and are considerably less likely to approach bird feeders.
An effective way to deter pigeons is to place fatty seeds and mealworms in a birdfeeder instead(Image: Getty)
How else can you keep pigeons out of your garden?
As pigeons are rather clumsy creatures, investing in caged or weight-sensitive bird feeders is worthwhile, as they’ll be completely unable to gain access.
It’s also worth noting that pigeons feed on the ground, so regularly clearing up any spilt seeds beneath feeders and placing nets around prized plants is essential to put them off.
Once pigeons can no longer find a convenient food source, they’ll swiftly relocate elsewhere — and this approach also helps entice smaller birds to continue frequenting your garden.
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