What is an effective pigeon prevention or scare system?

Question

I remember reading that plastic snakes laid on a ledge would prevent them landing there. I have just consulted a web page that informs me this is only a temporary solution.

Apart from human-discomfiting measures such as chicken-wire and spikes on my balcony ledge is there any way to discourage the flying rats.

I have tried to kill one in order to string it up (a scare an Irish farmer told me that worked for birds of prey trying to get to his chickens), but either the bast**ds were too fast or my aim was too bad (usually the latter as I have to chuck left-handed).

I don't really want to put poison down, not from any ethics, more that it'd be a financial black-hole in the season, now past, I hope.

Any ideas?

Answer 1

black cats set off?

get a real cat?

Answer 2

some kind of raptor would do the job for ya

Answer 3

These are very good and are almost invisible from the gound.  

   http://www.fencingtrade.co.uk/acatalog/B...  

Answer 4

Although my neighbours complain, I utilise the shotgun. Bit messy but after a day or two they just won't come back.

Answer 5

The bird of prey idea is very good. However I heard that one in glasgow was attacked by a flock of seagulls and scared away.

Answer 6

i recomend a shotgun or air rifle. SPLAT and the peigens are gone

Answer 7

here's a simple more humane idea, hang Cd's from a string by ur window... they dislike the reflections of light they cause...

and killing one to make an example of them wont work... they'll prob just eat the remains

Answer 8

Here is a link.Hope it helps!

Answer 9

actually, I do use a fake snake....three of them, I change them out about every month, no pidgeons.

Answer 10

Not sure if it works for pigeons but have successfully kept seabirds out of pool using strings of clear fishing line placed above the reach of people and strung across in no pattern but tight Could be the vibes the string makes or that they can see it and know it would be bad to hit- but they've never come back.

Answer 11

do you want to borrow me mother inlaw lol

Answer 12

All we got is a large life like large plastic owl and it has worked for the past 5 years. You cant poison pigeons they can eat any thing. I think the owl cost a fiver at the market.