It sounds too good to be true: Taubenschreck puts an end to pigeon dirt. In fact, you keep annoying pigeons and their faeces away from you using optical, acoustic and electronic methods. Of course, you cannot buy, set up and forget a dove deterrent, because you are dealing with clever birds. This guide provides information on tried and tested methods for keeping pigeons away, with lots of tips on how to use them correctly.

A pigeon deterrent that emits noises in addition to its deterrent appearance is much more effective than a purely optical object

Table of Contents

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  1. the essentials in brief
  2. Pigeon scare tips
  3. Use Taubenschreck-Rabe correctly
  4. Optical pigeon deterrent
  5. Acoustic dove deterrent ideas
  6. Ultrasound as a deterrent to pigeons
  7. Make your own dove fright
  8. Buy a pigeon deterrent
  9. frequently asked Questions

    10. the essentials in brief

    • The best deterrents for balconies and roofs are movable dummies of ravens, crows, falcons or owls.
    • You can make your own frightening pigeons as a reflector wind chime, scarecrow balloon or wind turbine for the window box.
    • Acoustic deterrents only work for a short time if there is no regular change in frequency and type of noise.

    Pigeon deterrent for balconies and roofs - tips

    A dummy raven prevents pigeons from perching

    Taubenschreck is the modern interpretation of the classic scarecrow, which is supposed to scare away raven, crows and starlings in the countryside. In urban areas, the focus is on deterring pigeons with effective solutions for balconies and roofs. City pigeons have the unpleasant habit of soiling railings, balconies, windowsills and roofs with their faeces. In order to put a stop to this behavior, the idea of the dove fright was born.

    Well thought-out constructions should trigger the natural instinct to flee in pigeons. This mechanism is innate in birds. Triggers are primarily the silhouettes of predators. A similar effect is achieved by certain optical and acoustic stimuli, which pigeons perceive as a danger and take up their wings. The following table gives an overview of which pigeon deterrent variations have proven themselves in practice for balconies and roofs:

    optical Acoustically Electronic
    Raven/Crow Motion detector dog barking Ultrasonic
    hawk/owl scream device
    fright balloon aluminum strips
    Reflector Mobile metal wind chime
    Pinwheel window box

    The effectiveness of Pigeon Fright largely depends on the birds not getting used to it. Consequently, it is not enough to statically assemble and forget the favored construction. Pigeons are clever opponents, have excellent powers of observation and are not easily fooled. In order for your efforts to have a pigeon-free balcony to be successful in the long term, please read the following explanations for competent use.

    Use Taubenschreck-Rabe correctly

    A dummy that moves is ideal

    The mere sight of a raven, crow, hawk or owl makes a pigeon's blood run cold. After all, they are feared predators that put fat pigeons at the top of the menu. For this reason, bird dummies are attested the best effectiveness in driving pigeons off balconies and roofs. By observing the following criteria, the deterrent effect will last for a long time:

    • Look: use lifelike dummies of sitting or flying ravens (minimum size 40 cm)
    • attachment: ideally flexibly attached to a nylon cord
    • change of position: relocate sitting dove fright ravens every few days

    Omnipresent ravens and crows are the number one enemy for city pigeons. Violent arguments can be observed daily, in which pigeons lose out. The sight of a raven is enough to trigger a strong flight instinct. Of course, the black dummies on the balcony and roof are not a feast for the eyes. A little more color comes into play when you fall back on hawk or owl for the dove deterrent. These variants do not detract from the intimidating effect on pigeons.

    tips

    Bird-Free-Gel simulates a blazing fire and scares pigeons with it. Flat, one centimeter high glass bowls are filled with a yellow, weatherproof gel without toxic additives. Pigeon eyes perceive the gel as a flickering fire, which activates the flight instinct. The magic bowls are available in specialist shops, on Amazon and Ebay.

    Optical pigeon deterrent - Tips for balloons and wind chimes

    Pigeons have weak nerves. According to the observations of troubled balcony owners, the uninvited guests flee at the sight of moving objects. As an alternative to dummy birds or as a useful addition to the crow deterrent to deterring pigeons, experts in deterring pigeons have come up with the following deterrents:

    Dove Scare Balloons

    With clever accessories, every large balloon is transformed into an effective deterrent for pigeons. Specifically, it is a yellow balloon made of durable vinyl with a diameter of 30 to 40 centimeters. Round reflective stickers simulate large raptor eyes. Fluttering red ribbons at the bottom are meant to imitate blazing flames. In order for a dove fright balloon to keep what its name promises, the following general conditions must be observed:

    • location: full sun to sunny and clearly visible
    • Assembly: attach to weatherproof cord and swing freely
    • ground clearance: Hang the balloon high enough so that the red ribbons flutter freely

    It is important to note that there is no food source in the immediate vicinity of the dove fright balloon. Furthermore, there is no deterrent effect if pigeons are already breeding on the roof or on the balcony. Chasing away hungry or nesting pigeons is difficult, if not impossible.

    Reflector Mobile

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    When shimmering glass rods, flashing CDs and other reflective objects pirouette in the sun, pigeons prefer to stay away. The specialist trade has a wide range of colorful pigeon deterrent mobiles for the balcony. However, the functionality largely depends on the sun shining. After all, swinging reflectors are useful when the weather is nice to reinforce other strategies for scaring pigeons.

    Pigeon fright acoustic - ideas

    Despite its name, a pigeon can hear very well. The excellent hearing makes the birds vulnerable to loud noises. Acoustic pigeon deterrent models hit this mark by beating the invisible ears of pigeons with sudden noise. Ideally, the sudden noise suggests the presence of enemies to the pests. If necessary, the winged invaders can also be kept away from the balcony with a sudden bang. The following overview provides more detailed information on the acoustic expulsion methods in the table above:

    • motion detector: Device with 360° radar field triggers deceptively real dog barking when pigeons approach
    • scream device: Multi-sound device with sensors emits calls of birds of prey
    • aluminum foil: Warning tape made of aluminum strips on balcony railings, window sills and awnings
    • wind chime: Rods made of metal or wood bang together in the wind and at the same time simulate activity on the balcony

    Annoyed balcony owners always have two wooden boards at hand for acoustic pigeon deterrence with immediate effect. If you catch a pigeon approaching in the act, slam the boards together powerfully.

    Electronic pigeon deterrent - ultrasonic

    Electronic pigeon deterrent is imperceptible to the human ear. For deaf ears, on the other hand, there is an unbearable roar that triggers the natural instinct to flee. The secret of its success is an ultrasonic device that emits specific sound waves at intervals. Not only do pigeons run away from the noise, but also martens, moles and mice.

    In order for ultrasound to work as a deterrent to pigeons in the long term, there must be no habituation effect. This succeeds with changing frequencies and locations. Otherwise, the intelligent birds will soon find out that ultrasound does not pose a serious threat. In view of the acute housing shortage, many city pigeons accept the noise pollution and still colonize roofs, balconies and windowsills.

    digression

    Pigeon deterrent spirals instead of spikes

    Spikes pose a high risk of injury to pigeons and other birds

    A high number of pigeons cannot be dealt with with Taubenschreck. When hordes of pigeons settle on the roof ridge, window sill and balcony, the focus is on tried-and-tested measures to keep out pigeons. The much-vaunted spikes certainly have a bitter aftertaste. As 1-2 mm thick skewers in rows of 4 or 6, spikes act as a pigeon blockade with a high risk of injury for humans and animals. In contrast, spirals made of stainless steel drive away the annoying birds without causing fatal injuries. Pigeons are denied the opportunity to sit up because the individual whorls tilt to the side and then straighten up again.

    Make your own dove fright

    Bargain foxes can make a dove fright themselves. This can be achieved with simple means in the form of a reflecting wind chime. To do this, hang old CDs or blanks on weatherproof cords (e.g. fishing line) at different heights. A light breeze is enough to make the mobile's windows move, reflecting sunlight and acting as a deterrent to pigeons.

    A little more sophisticated, but with a decorative effect, colorful pinwheels in the balcony box keep cheeky pigeons away from you. Six isosceles triangles made of colored construction paper are folded diagonally as rotor blades and fixed with a pin. A thin layer of acrylic paint ensures weather resistance. A kebab skewer or flower holder serve as a holding stick. A wine cork is useful as a wind rotor between the propeller and the stick for the balcony box.

    Traditional scarecrow doesn't work

    Everyone knows the human-like wooden frames covered with old clothes, which are supposed to keep pecking birds away from garden beds and fields in rural areas. What could be more obvious, making a chic scarecrow and draping it decoratively on the balcony than a dove scare that is well worth seeing? In fact, you get the opposite effect.

    City pigeons have learned to appreciate humans as generous sources of food. In parks, at bus stops and train stations, pigeons like to be close to people because they can get hold of breadcrumbs and other leftovers. At the sight of a human-like figure on the balcony, the cunning birds sense a new feeding ground that needs to be examined. Instead of fleeing in a panic, numerous pigeons adore a scarecrow in the hope of a tasty snack.

    Buy pigeon deterrent - shopping sources

    On the Internet you can find options from a few euros to over 1000€

    You don't have to look far for a working deterrent. You can buy dummy birds in spring in any well-stocked supermarket. The Internet can be consulted for specific bird scare models. Alternatively, keep an eye out for pigeon deterrents at Obi or another hardware store. The following overview lists recommended shopping sources for the pigeon deterrent of your choice:

    • Rabe & Co.: Obi, Bauhaus, Toom, Hornbach, Amazon, Ebay, garden center, supermarket
    • Optical pigeon deterrent: Amazon, Ebay, hardware store, garden center, online retailer (e.g. vogelscheuche.de)
    • Acoustic pigeon deterrent devices: Amazon, Ebay, Obi, TONI bird control
    • Electronic pigeon deterrent ultrasound: Amazon, Ebay, local and online hardware stores, garden centers, specialist shops

    The prices for the deterrent range from a modest EUR 2.99 for a raven or crow to EUR 5,700 for a professional screaming device in the form of a movable, computer-controlled dummy falcon. A powerful pigeon deterrent is therefore affordable for every budget. Correct application is more important than the amount invested, as this guide explains.

    frequently asked Questions

    Is a dove fright raven suitable for fighting a plague of pigeons on the balcony?

    You can usually easily keep individual animals away from the balcony with bird dummies. The scarecrow raven is not effective enough to deal with a plague of pigeons, even if you use several dummies, hang them up and move them regularly. To combat a flock of pigeons, we recommend installing anti-pigeon spirals. If the pressure of infestation is very high, a professional pest controller will be at your side with advice and action.

    What deterrent works when I'm sitting on the balcony and want to scare away a pigeon approaching?

    In cities, more and more balcony owners can be seen arming themselves with a water gun. In fact, the popular children's toy proves to be the perfect pigeon deterrent with no side effects. A targeted jet of water makes it unmistakably clear to pigeons that the balcony is taboo.

    Aren't spikes a more effective deterrent to pigeons than optical or acoustic methods?

    Scaring pigeons as a defense strategy is widely accepted because the uninvited guests are not harmed. That changes as soon as you attach needle-sharp spikes to the balcony and roof to deter pigeons. Birds often do not notice the spikes in time and suffer serious injuries when attempting to land. Animal-friendly balcony owners do not accept this dark side of pigeon defense and prefer optical or acoustic methods without side effects.

    Is there a pigeon deterrent to protect birdhouses for tits?

    Ravenous pigeons set their sights on tit feeders to steal life-saving food from small birds. Since conventional pigeon scaring methods do not work in this case because they drive away tits at the same time, we recommend the following trick. Thread a string through the center of the entrance opening to the bird feeder. Ms. Meise and other small birds can continue to get into the living room with the food supplies without any problems. However, fat pigeons are denied access.

    Pigeons sit cheekily in the flower box and soil the balcony with their droppings. What to do?

    The chosen seat indicates that plants that serve as food for pigeons thrive in the flower box (€16.99). As herbivores and grain eaters, pigeons prefer to feed on seeds of all kinds. Balcony gardeners who grow peas, vetches, dwarf sunflowers or chickweed in flower boxes should not be surprised at pigeons as boarders. The gluttonous fowl is not so easily scared away by the richly laid table. With simple pigeon scaring methods you are on a losing battle. In order to protect your small kitchen garden and balcony, we recommend a stretched out pigeon deterrent net.

    tips

    Sophisticated grape scare methods scare off other bird species that are unpopular as pests in the garden and on the balcony. Starlings, swallows and sparrows flee in panic when they see a moving dummy raven. Where frightening balloons with huge raptor eyes dangle, uninvited fowl prefer to stay away.

Category:

Animals in the garden