Pigeons are a common sight in almost every British garden and remain present all year round. These birds rank among the most prevalent garden nuisances, leaving mess across raised beds and patios, while depriving smaller birds of food supplies that gardeners aim to provide.
At the start of summer, journalist Angela Patrone found she had an increasing number of pigeons in her garden. While they didn't go after her plants, they did wreak havoc on her lawn.
How to deter pigeons naturally
She managed to ward off these unwanted visitors using a straightforward technique requiring nothing more than some string and a handful of CDs.
Upon researching natural pigeon deterrents, one approach repeatedly emerged – suspending old CDs throughout your garden. This particular solution appealed to Angela, given its simplicity and the fact that she had CDs in storage destined for the bin, reports the Express.
Specialists at Pest Solutions pest control highlighted that pigeons "will steer well clear of any reflective object if they can help it." They continued: "Hanging old CDs on a string that will move in the wind can be surprisingly effective at scaring off pigeons." Since it's the reflective quality of CDs that repels pigeons, dangling crumpled foil balls around the garden might prove equally effective.
Results after a month
Armed with a handful of CDs and some string, Angela set about hanging them throughout her garden. The majority were strung up on a fig tree, which stands at the middle of the garden — a tactic that proved particularly effective. A couple more were draped around roses, which line the edge of the lawn, and Angela also fastened some to the fence directly opposite the spot where the pigeons tend to congregate.
She was careful to hang the discs loosely, ensuring that even the gentlest gust of wind would set them spinning and glinting in the sunlight. After around five days, Angela moved the CDs to slightly different positions — it's important not to leave them in exactly the same spot, as pigeons can quickly wise up to the ruse. A month since she had began trialling the method, Angela has not caught a single pigeon in her garden or loitering on the fence as they once did.
