WHAT!? “Birth Control Pills” as Alternative Pigeon Control Method

Anyone living in a major city knows that pigeons can be quite the pests. The amount of excrement that they produce is almost insurmountable at a whopping two tons per year for a flock of only a hundred birds. Think about the number of pigeons we see in a city like Toronto, Ontario. That amount of pigeons and the fecal matter they produce could cause serious problems for commercial infrastructure and properties through increased maintenance, but can also be a real health risk as well.

The main form of disease transmission from pigeons to humans is through their droppings. Most people think, “Okay, well then I just won’t touch the droppings…” But the problem with this is that as the excrement dries, a powder is released into the air which can then be inhaled by humans unknowingly. The pathogens contained in these excrements can cause disease or unwanted symptoms in humans. This is one of the reasons why a high population of pigeons in such a tight nit area can be such an unwelcome presence.

In an attempt to solve pigeon control problems, techniques such as relocation and bird spikes have been used. Relocation involves capturing all pigeons in traps with the use of a one-way door and some bait and then releasing them elsewhere. This process unfortunately is futile as pigeons can find their way back to their original location with ease. Bird spikes are exactly what they sound like, spikes to prevent birds from landing in certain areas. These can be dangerous if installed incorrectly, and can also be flat out ineffective as pigeons are quite smart, and will just choose to move to a neighbouring area. With the repeated failure of these techniques, a company in California came up with an interesting alternative; “birth control” for birds.

“The Pigeon Control Company” in California calls this “A better approach to pigeon control” with their product OvoControl: “birth control” for birds. This may not be the best solution for every pigeon situation, but this company was looking to create an alternative long-term solution that did not involve euthanasia. The product is fed to the pigeons in a pellet-like form throughout their reproductive season. The pigeons will still attempt to breed as usual, but their eggs will not be able to develop. On average, one breeding pair of pigeons can produce 40 babies annually. But with this method, population increase can be decreased by 90-95%. This product is said to be safe for the consumption of birds and its only function is to stop the eggs from fertilizing; the effects of this birth control wear off after a few days. This may not be the best option for you, but it may be a suitable option for some people.

To find out more about pigeon control and methods that can be used, check out our pigeon control and removal solutions in Toronto. We offer many alternatives including euthanasia and would be happy to assist you with any of your pest bird or wildlife problems.

Hawkeye is the ONLY Toronto and Golden Horseshoe area licensed Pest Bird Control Specialist offering PERMANENT REMOVAL & GUARANTEED RESULTS.

We are uniquely qualified under permits and licenses to PERMANENTLY REMOVE AND CONTROL Pest Birds such as Cormorants, Crows, Ducks, Doves, Geese, Grackels, Seagulls, Pigeons, Robins, Sparrows, Swallows and Starlings.

pest birds such as pigeons, seagulls, geese, starlings, and swallows using a variety of methods including Birds of Prey. Additionally, we offer cleaning and disinfecting of affected areas and facilitate the future exclusion of birds.

Call us at (416-429-5393) to take control of your Pest Bird problem today!