Trapping pigeons best solution for removing pesky birds

     By Nancy Quon
     View columnist
      It may not be a scene from the Alfred Hitchcock thriller "The Birds," but a roof covered with pigeons can still be a scary sight to homeowners. And rightfully so.
      According to John Hauger, owner of PCS Enterprise, which stands for Pigeon Control Services, "The pigeon is now the most common bird pest associated with people."
      Hauger is a licensed pest control expert who specializes in removing pigeons for homeowners.
      "I was the president for my homeowners association and we had a big problem with pigeons," Hauger said. "Everyone I talked to wanted to poison the birds, but I felt that was inhumane."
      So Hauger started his own business trapping the pigeons and then providing maintenance to keep the problem from reoccurring.
      John Leach, a local attorney whose firm represents more than 200 homeowner associations, explains why associations may be especially sensitive to the problem. An association's rules may require the board to "repair and maintain" common areas. Because roofs are generally considered "common areas," boards may be required to continually repair damages to them as a result of pigeon droppings, which deface roofs and accelerate deterioration.
      Pigeons use their feces as nesting material, Hauger said. This insulates a hot roof surface in the summer and warms it in the winter. When the droppings get wet from rain, it eats through the roofing material.
      There is also a health and safety issue associated with pigeons that boards may have to address, Leach said. According to Hauger, pigeon droppings carry and spread diseases to people and animals. In addition to diseases, the birds are host to many ectoparasites, such as fleas, mites, lice, ticks and other biting insects, some of which readily bite humans.
      How do you stop the horror story from continuing? Hauger is convinced that trapping is the only solution. For an average price of $359 per month, Hauger will provide four weeks of service that includes building the traps, trapping the pigeons and cleaning up their mess.
      Don't feel too secure, as Hauger admits the pesky pigeons may return.
      "Some pigeons return a year later and some every five months if you live near downtown or a golf course," he said.
      What Hauger suggests is a maintenance program.
      "Pigeons require food, water and shelter," Hauger said.
      Therefore, you should first screen off sheltered areas, such as those under eaves, chimneys or under air conditioners. A repellent can then be used after the screening is complete. Hauger said this type of service can cost thousands of dollars and it might be more economical to just keep having the pigeons removed.
      Next, don't leave dog food outside, get rid of bird feeders and replace fruit or berry trees and bushes. And whatever you do, he said, don't feed the pigeons. Finally, watch out for water run-off from your sprinklers. And don't allow water to collect and form puddles.
      What about other ways to ward off pigeons? According to Hauger, attempted remedies like revolving lights, balloons, and rubber snakes -- just to name a few -- are generally ineffective.
      While it may seem like an easy solution, the fake owl some people buy to scare off pigeons usually just ends up as another location for them to nest and eventually becomes a white owl.
      "Pigeons aren't stupid and catch on to things rather quickly," Hauger said. "These fake items don't have the scent of live animals, so the pigeons don't sense any danger."
      On the other hand, Hauger says trapped pigeons could become local celebrities. He keeps an aviary at his home that can hold up to 6,000 pigeons at a time. The pigeons lucky enough to be "fancy" -- or 100 percent pure white -- are sometimes purchased by local hotels for use in the showrooms or for local commercials.
      You could have a future celebrity living on your roof and not even know it.
      Those interested in pigeon control can contact Hauger via e-mail at jdhauger@world net.att.net.
     
     Nancy Quon is a partner in the Nevada law firm of Maddox & Quon. She can be reached by mail at Maddox & Quon, 501 S. Rancho Drive, Suite E-32, Las Vegas, NV 89106.