Navigating the Summer Surge: Understanding Increased Pigeon Activity in NYC and Long Island
As summer sets in across the bustling streets of New York City and the diverse landscapes of Long Island, there’s a noticeable increase in the fluttering and cooing of one of the most ubiquitous residents: pigeons. For many New Yorkers and Long Islanders, pigeons are a familiar part of the urban and suburban landscape, often seen strutting along sidewalks and perching on building ledges. However, with the rise in temperatures, there is a significant increase in pigeon activity. Why does this happen, and more importantly, why should residents and property managers be vigilant about controlling pigeon populations? Let’s dive into these questions.
Why Pigeon Activity Increases in Summer
Pigeons, like many urban wildlife species, are highly adaptive to both city and suburban environments. During the warmer months, several factors contribute to their increased visibility and activity:
- Longer daylight hours: More daylight means more time for pigeons to forage for food.
- Abundant food sources: The hustle and bustle of summer tourists in NYC, outdoor eateries, and public gatherings in both urban and suburban settings lead to more available food scraps on which pigeons can feast.
- Breeding season: Summer is a prime breeding season for pigeons. With more pigeons breeding, the population visibly increases, especially when each pair can have several broods per season.
The Risks of a Pigeon Infestation
While pigeons themselves are not aggressive, their presence in large numbers can pose several risks and inconveniences, making it crucial to manage their populations effectively.
- Health hazards: Pigeon droppings are not just unsightly; they can harbor pathogens that cause diseases such as histoplasmosis, cryptococcosis, and psittacosis, which can be transmitted to humans.
- Property damage: The acidity in pigeon droppings can erode building materials and car paint, leading to significant maintenance challenges and costs.
- Blocked utilities: Pigeons often build nests in gutters, drains, and air vents, which can block these structures and lead to costly repairs.
Why It’s Important to Act Quickly
Allowing pigeons to roost and nest on your property can lead to a rapid increase in their population. Here’s why timely intervention is critical:
- Prevent long-term residence: Pigeons are creatures of habit. Once they establish a nesting site, they are likely to return repeatedly. Early intervention can prevent this cycle from starting.
- Minimize health risks: By controlling pigeon numbers, you reduce the health risks associated with their droppings.
- Cost-effective management: Addressing a pigeon problem early can be far less costly than dealing with extensive property damage or health-related lawsuits later.
How to Manage Pigeon Populations
At The Ex-Terminators, we specialize in humane and effective bird control solutions tailored to the unique challenges of both New York City and Long Island. Here are a few methods we employ:
- Stainless-Steel Bird Spikes - Stainless steel bird spikes are humane bird control devices used to deter birds from landing or roosting on surfaces. They feature rows of pointed spikes that prevent birds from perching, making them a highly effective solution to protect buildings, signs, and other structures from bird-related damage and mess. These spikes are also discreet so your building’s façade will stay pristine.
- Bird Netting - Bird Netting is a high-quality solution for creating a physical barrier that permanently blocks birds from entering protected areas. This netting effectively prevents birds from perching, roosting, and nesting where they are unwanted, making it suitable for both commercial and residential settings. It is attached using a system of heavy-duty, low-visibility stainless steel cables and fasteners, ensuring a near-invisible application. Employing this bird netting method strategically denies pigeons access to their favored roosting locations, thereby establishing a superior and efficient bird control solution.
- Optical Gel Disks - Optical Gel is a multi-sensory bird repellent that deters birds using sight, smell, and touch:
- Sight - Optical Gel disrupts birds' perception of safety by creating the illusion of imminent danger. The gel's appearance is akin to a severe threat, such as fire or smoke, compelling birds to instinctively steer clear immediately.
- Smell - Birds find the scent of citronella and peppermint oil highly unpleasant. This avian-safe fragrance makes the area inhospitable for birds, further reinforcing their aversion to the treated space. Optical Gel is made of all-green natural ingredients making it safe for humans, and yes...it's even safe for the birds. But they dispise it!
- Touch - Birds instinctively steer clear of the sticky material of Optical Gel, and even if they come into contact with it, the uncomfortable sensation reinforces their aversion.
- Bird Shock Track - Bird Shock Track is an innovative bird control solution that delivers a mild electric shock upon contact. This humane method discourages birds from landing or perching on surfaces, making it an effective way to protect your property from avian pests. Bird Shock Track is designed to be low profile and nearly invisible from the ground once installed, ensuring that it doesn't detract from the aesthetics of your property while effectively deterring birds.
- Humane Live Trapping - Utilizing bird traps is a highly effective strategy for reducing the pest bird population before deploying bird deterrent products. This approach allows for a significant decrease in the flock size without causing harm and helps manage public concerns. Often, bird trapping is the most cost-efficient option, albeit demanding in terms of time and effort. A successful trapping program spans several weeks and involves multiple site visits, encompassing essential steps like site selection, pre-baiting, trapping, bird removal, and follow-up. It's crucial to stress that flock reduction is an initial phase before deterrent device installation. Mere bird removal without deterring others may lead to new birds taking their place. To enhance trapping effectiveness, multi-catch traps with provisions for food and water are employed, ensuring humane treatment of captured birds.
- Solar Panel Protection - Our cutting-edge solar panel bird deterrent kit prevents birds from nesting under solar arrays, safeguarding your roof, wiring, and equipment. As solar panel adoption grows, we offer a solution to protect these installations from birds and critters.
As the summer progresses, keep an eye on pigeon activity around your properties in both NYC and Long Island. If you notice an uptick in pigeon presence, consider it a prompt to take action. Contact The Ex-Terminators for expert advice and solutions tailored to keep your property pigeon-free, ensuring a healthier and more pleasant environment for everyone.
To schedule a consultation, visit our website at www.ex-terminators.com or contact our office directly. Don’t let pigeons put a damper on your summer — act now