How to keep pigeons off your roof
Happy New Year, you pigeons!
There is hardly anything more annoying than pigeon droppings on the façade, roof, windows, and balcony. But there is something you can do about it, without resorting to poison or shotguns! One solution that is both animal-friendly and visually unobtrusive is "bird slides." These are special angles made of acrylic or metal that are glued to edges, ledges, and projections on the facade. Instead of a comfortable nesting place, the birds find a slippery surface with an angle of at least 45 degrees on which they cannot gain a foothold. Before attaching the bird slides, you should remove any branches and twigs from the niche in question that could be used for nest building.
Windmills, mobiles, or raven decoys – decorative alternatives
But bird slides are not the only proven means of deterring pigeons. Visual and acoustic systems are also very effective – and they are even easier to install! How about a small windmill on the window sill, for example? Its movement and whirring noise irritate the birds and deter them from approaching. Instead of a windmill, you can also use colorful ribbons, aluminum foil, or mobiles made from old CDs. If that's not decorative enough for you, you can also try a raven figure. Ravens are the natural enemies of pigeons, so these dummies are usually very effective. However, since real ravens move, you should move the figure to a new location every now and then.
Most other deterrents available on the market are not recommended for animal welfare reasons. Nail boards and nets can seriously injure birds or trap them until they starve to death.
How to properly remove unsightly stains
If your balcony does get dirty, a high-pressure cleaner will help remove the unwanted bird droppings. If this brutal method is not possible, a scrubber, water, and a brush will also help. For particularly coarse-pored materials, the surface should first be thoroughly soaked with spirit or soapy water before the bird droppings are removed from the pores with a brush. Depending on the degree of soiling, this procedure may need to be repeated several times.
If you want to be sure that no pathogens or parasites from the droppings are left behind after removing the bird droppings, you can rub the affected areas with rubbing alcohol, disinfectant, or vinegar essence. If vinegar is used, rinse thoroughly with water to remove the acid from the vinegar and eliminate the strong smell.
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Legal notice: This article does not constitute tax or legal advice in individual cases. Please consult a lawyer and/or tax advisor to clarify the facts of your specific case.
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