Wednesday, March 4, 2009

A Problem with Pigeons

Pigeons live from 3 to 15 years, depending on environment, and they breed during all seasons. The female lays 1 or 2 eggs. The incubation period is 16-18 days. The young leave the nest at 4 to 6 weeks of age. More eggs are usually laid before the first young are weaned. Simple math will have you head spinning!


Pigeons have decided that they like our house. They can quickly become a nuisance. They like to perch right over our front door. Guess what they leave behind?

Johnny thought of a solution. He placed some wire mesh on the ledge; he used concrete nails to anchor it. So far, it's working!




We like to keep a pretty plant to the right of the door. We've had to throw out our latest because of the pesky pigeon droppings. Now, we can go shopping and make our entrance a welcoming one again.

at

34 comments:

  1. DarleneMarch 4, 2009 at 7:27 AM

    I have always heard that they are the "rat" of the bird community. I would hate that mess also and I'm glad your hubby came up with a humane solution....just make it unwelcoming for the pigeons! Your front entry way looks gorgeous and I know you will be glad to get another beautiful plant out there.

    ReplyDelete
  2. The Quintessential MagpieMarch 4, 2009 at 7:31 AM

    That is the only bird that drives me bonkers! I sympathize, Sally! Hope this does the trick for you!

    XO,

    Sheila :-)

    ReplyDelete
  3. AprilMarch 4, 2009 at 7:32 AM

    I love birds, but I've never taken to pigeons...they just always seem "dirty" to me. Hope your problem is a thing of the past! Love your walkway!

    ReplyDelete
  4. KnittyMarch 4, 2009 at 7:39 AM

    Darlene is right, they are flying rats!

    Many areas of Michigan have trouble with Canadian geese. Their droppings in grassy areas where they congregate are not slippery to unsuspecting people, often kids who are playing. :(

    ReplyDelete
  5. ♥ KathyMarch 4, 2009 at 7:42 AM

    A few weeks back I went to HEB and there were men hanging plastic owls on the roof by the entrance. I asked them why (I had a vague memory of owls scaring off birds) and one of the men told me it was to keep the pigeons away. He said they wouldn't go near the owls. I've seen plastic owls at the gardening store but never really paid attention. I hope your pigeon problems don't last too long. It looks like y'all came up with a great solution! Hope you have a nice day Sally :) Love, Kathy

    ReplyDelete
  6. Mama of 4 BlessingsMarch 4, 2009 at 8:52 AM

    Reminds me of the sea gulls we have here in Maine:) Hope your solution works out and your entrance is beautified again:) Have a great day Sally!
    Gina Jo

    ReplyDelete
  7. JudiMarch 4, 2009 at 9:24 AM

    Good Morning Sally
    Oh those darn pigeons! I didn't know they multiplied like that. Thats rather scarey sort of like flying bunnies..*lol*.
    I'm glad you came up with a solution. I love your front entrance.
    have a lovely day
    Judi

    ReplyDelete
  8. jlshallMarch 4, 2009 at 9:32 AM

    I know they can be awful pests, but I've always been fond of pigeons because my father used to keep them. For some reason, pigeon-racing was a hot hobby in Texas back in the 1950s! But some of the birds were really very pretty.

    ReplyDelete
  9. ginMarch 4, 2009 at 9:44 AM

    Looks like you have a solution to the pigeons. Your entrance is beautiful. I love the Florida look!!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Needled MomMarch 4, 2009 at 9:59 AM

    I had no idea that they lived that long.......and reproduced so often. We have the smae issues with the swallows here. They make mud nests on the walls of the homes and are so terribly messy. I'm glad that you found a solution to your problem.

    ReplyDelete
  11. PicketMarch 4, 2009 at 10:05 AM

    Morning Sally..what a pretty front entrance...hope that takes care of your problem...thankfully I don't have pigeon problems...but I did have one young mockingbird that would roost on my birdhouse on a table on the front porch...oh my word what a mess! lol lol Hope you are having a great week friend!

    ReplyDelete
  12. AnonymousMarch 4, 2009 at 11:47 AM

    I'm glad you found a safe way to discourage them!

    Love that window!

    ReplyDelete
  13. xinexMarch 4, 2009 at 12:02 PM

    I am glad you found a way to get rid of them. You have a beautiful entry...Christine

    ReplyDelete
  14. Musings of A MinisterMarch 4, 2009 at 12:13 PM

    Two or three years ago I wrote about how pigeons were "driving me nuts." Words can't describe the mess they were making. For some reason they no longer hang around our house. Maybe it's because I am more stubborn than they are. Every time, which was often, I saw one on our house I would go out and clap my hands like thunder and they would fly away. It was a lot of exercise for me--and them. I guess they finally got tired.

    ReplyDelete
  15. AnonymousMarch 4, 2009 at 12:26 PM

    Oh Sally, it is a shame, but birds can be a terrible mess. Pigeons being some of the worst. Your dh is very clever to use wire mesh. I hope it continues to work.

    Have a happy day.

    Hugs...Sally.

    ReplyDelete
  16. The Raggedy GirlMarch 4, 2009 at 12:35 PM

    I drive my hubby crazy because I call the pigeons...doves and he says there is no comparisons. I have heard if you get a fake owl and put him up where they can see it that it scares them away.

    Have a Wonderful Wednesday
    from Roberta Anne

    ReplyDelete
  17. Betsy Banks AdamsMarch 4, 2009 at 12:57 PM

    Oh Sally---and you have a gorgeous home!!!! I'm sorry. I've never heard of Pigeons roosting on people's houses.. I know they like tall buildings and they LOVE churches. At one of the churches I worked in New Orleans in the '80's---they had a horrible pigeon problem. I'm not sure what they did to get rid of them---but they found something humane. Good Luck!!! I think they are the worst nuisances of ALL of the birds.

    Hugs,
    Betsy

    ReplyDelete
  18. JudithMarch 4, 2009 at 1:48 PM

    the entrance to your house is beautiful and I'm glad you've found a safe of keeping the pigeons away because I actually quite like them. Judith

    ReplyDelete
  19. BridgetMarch 4, 2009 at 2:04 PM

    Wow now that would be a lot of pigeons!
    I'm glad that Johnny's bird deterrent is working. That would be a real pain to have to dodge bird poo at your front door!

    I didn't mean to come off as if I was dissing Melissa, I have always adored her. I just wanted to point out that maybe there are two sides to the story. But then again, maybe Jason was just a complete douche bag! lol

    I hope Jillian fares better during her round. She is such a cutie!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Happy To Be/ Gl♥riaMarch 4, 2009 at 2:39 PM

    GM Sally beautiful entry girl..now I have pigeons that sit on the power lines right above my glass sunroom roof ...talk about a mess at all times..Len is always out there cleaing that roof..Hope this take care of your problem girl..hugs and smiles Gl♥ria

    ReplyDelete
  21. CathyMarch 4, 2009 at 2:39 PM

    Sorry about all the pigeons,Sally. Your entrance is very pretty.

    ReplyDelete
  22. AnonymousMarch 4, 2009 at 2:42 PM

    Oh my goodness, that mess would not make for a welcoming entry for your home. Yuck! I've seen lots of solutions like that on public buildings.


    Kathy b

    ReplyDelete
  23. AnonymousMarch 4, 2009 at 2:57 PM

    We have fought pigeons for years. They always end up winning. And boy you are right. They make a big big mess.
    Charlotte

    ReplyDelete
  24. AnonymousMarch 4, 2009 at 3:55 PM

    We have had a problem with birds for the last couple of years. The hawk has helped a little but I don't really want him hanging our over here. I like looking at the birds but I don't like the mess. Then there are the squirrels and cats. I'm glad you found a solution to your problem.

    ReplyDelete
  25. AnonymousMarch 4, 2009 at 3:55 PM

    We have had a problem with birds for the last couple of years. The hawk has helped a little but I don't really want him hanging our over here. I like looking at the birds but I don't like the mess. Then there are the squirrels and cats. I'm glad you found a solution to your problem.

    ReplyDelete
  26. KilllashandraMarch 4, 2009 at 4:13 PM

    The breeding rate of pigeons is very scary. I don't blame you one bit for protecting the front walk from them. Glad it's working. :)

    ReplyDelete
  27. Susie QMarch 4, 2009 at 4:29 PM

    It soubds like a wonderful and very humane way of dealing with them. I know how quickly bords and ducks can make a mess of a home.

    Your entry way is very lovely!

    Love,
    Sue

    ReplyDelete
  28. SweetieMarch 4, 2009 at 5:25 PM

    I wonder what it is with pigeons this year. We had two sitting on the ice on our pool cover. Your hubby came up with a great solution.
    Sweetie

    ReplyDelete
  29. ~♥~ Monica SMarch 4, 2009 at 6:08 PM

    You do have a lovely entrance Sally! :-) I have always wondered where pigeons live..... NOW I KNOW! ;-) hehe

    Monica

    ReplyDelete
  30. AnonymousMarch 4, 2009 at 6:41 PM

    Afternoon, Sallyness! Oh, those nasty little birds! They're so cute but can be little pests! Your front entry is so loverly, Dearest!
    be a sweetie,
    Shelia :)

    ReplyDelete
  31. AnonymousMarch 4, 2009 at 10:11 PM

    Hi Dear Most Smiling One! I can't stay away long! I've been popping the Ibuprofins and that's been helping a bunch! You know me, I gotta get my table on!
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia ;)

    ReplyDelete
  32. Life on the EdgeMarch 4, 2009 at 11:44 PM

    Pigeons, ugh! What a pesky bird! Did you ever read Buffie's post about how she scared the pigeons away from her yard by setting off firecrackers? rofl Sadly, she no longer has a blog.

    Kady

    ReplyDelete
  33. nikkicrumpetMarch 5, 2009 at 2:38 PM

    What a great solution...I like critters as much as anyone...but not pesky critters!

    ReplyDelete
  34. Tink *~*~*March 9, 2009 at 9:05 AM

    I wonder if you could screen in your front door alcove? I'm planning to do this to mine. The frogs like to hang out there and there are droppings which I do not want to bring into the house, so I rarely use the front door. Also, there's an overhang and mud wasps are constantly building there. So I'm going to screen it in when the tax refund check comes!

    Tink *~*~*
    NOW PLAYING at My Mobile Adventures *~*~* :
    Disney's Port Orleans French Quarter resort

    ReplyDelete

Comments make me happy! I enjoy reading what you have to say. Please come back often and comment some more!

Sally