Doves can be peaceful to watch, but they can cause damage to your property by building nests, leaving droppings, and creating noise. To humanely and effectively deter doves from your roof, follow these step-by-step strategies.
1. Remove Food Sources
Begin by ensuring that there are no available food sources that are attracting the doves to your area. Remove any bird feeders, ensure your trash bins are securely closed, and clean up any leftover pet food or fallen fruits that might be attracting the birds.
2. Install Physical Barriers
Doves prefer flat surfaces for nesting. Installing bird spikes or netting can make your roof unattractive to them as a nesting spot. Ensure the installation covers potential nesting areas such as eaves, ledges, and beams. Bird spikes are simple to install and can be purchased from most hardware stores.
3. Use Bird Repellent Devices
There are several repellent devices available, such as reflective tapes, scare-eye balloons, or bird-repelling lasers. These devices can scare doves away because they don’t like the strange movements or light patterns. Place these devices in visible areas where doves frequent.
4. Apply Bird Gel
Bird gel is a sticky substance that can be applied to common perching spots. Birds do not like the sticky sensation on their feet and will tend to avoid these areas. Be sure to reapply the gel according to the product’s guidelines to maintain its effectiveness.
5. Use Ultrasonic Bird Deterrents
Ultrasonic bird deterrents emit sound waves that are uncomfortable for doves and other birds but are inaudible to humans. Position these devices in areas where doves congregate, ensuring that the range of the device is sufficient for your roof area.
6. Set Up Decoys
Setting up decoys, like plastic owls or hawks, can be an effective method to deter doves as these are natural predators of smaller birds. To be more effective, occasionally move the decoys to different locations so the doves don’t get accustomed to them.
7. Water Deterrents
Motion-activated water sprinklers can startle doves and discourage them from returning to the roof. They’re especially useful if you notice doves are frequently visiting at certain times of the day.
8. Create a Slope
Doves prefer horizontal surfaces for landing and nesting. Altering the architecture of perching areas by creating slopes can make it difficult for doves to land or nest comfortably.
9. Encourage Natural Predators
Natural bird predators like falcons can help control the dove population. Encouraging these predators to visit your area, for instance by installing perches for raptors to use, may help keep the doves at bay.
10. Seek Professional Help
If all else fails and the dove problem is severe, consider seeking professional help. Wildlife control professionals can offer solutions tailored to your specific situation.
Important Considerations
Always check your local wildlife protection laws before implementing any measures to deter birds. Some species of doves may be protected under law, making it illegal to harm or disturb them. All deterrents should be humane and non-lethal.
Implementing multiple strategies in combination can increase your chances of success. While it might not be immediately effective, persistence is key in deterring doves from your roof.