Pigeons Will Stay Away from Your Bird Feeders If You Add This One Item to Your Garden

Managing unwanted visitors at bird feeders

Feeding birds can be a delightful hobby, but it often attracts unwanted visitors like pigeons, squirrels, and rats. These creatures can dominate the feeders, reducing the variety of bird species that visit your garden. To keep pigeons away, it’s essential to understand their preferences and how to deter them effectively.

Pigeons are often attracted to certain types of birdseed, such as millet. By choosing alternative seeds like sunflower seeds or Nyjer seed, you can discourage pigeons from visiting your feeders. Additionally, maintaining a clean garden by regularly cleaning up spilled seed can help prevent attracting rodents and other unwanted guests.

Choosing the right bird feeder

The type of bird feeder you use can significantly impact the types of birds that visit your garden. Some feeders are designed to exclude larger birds and pests, ensuring that smaller, more desirable species can feed safely.

Selecting a feeder for smaller birds

Feeders with adjustable features can help deter larger birds like pigeons. For example, the I Love Robins® large dome feeder allows you to adjust the dome’s height to prevent larger species from accessing the food, while smaller birds like robins and sparrows can still feed comfortably. This type of feeder is ideal for creating a welcoming environment for smaller bird species.

Squirrel-proof feeders

Squirrels are another common problem at bird feeders. Feeders like the Squirrel Buster® Plus use a weight-activated mechanism to close the feeding ports when a squirrel tries to access the seed, effectively keeping them out without harming them. While these feeders are primarily designed to deter squirrels, they can also help exclude larger birds by adjusting the weight sensitivity.

Creating a bird-friendly garden

To attract a variety of bird species and keep unwanted visitors away, it’s crucial to create a bird-friendly garden. This involves not only choosing the right bird feeders but also ensuring that your garden provides a safe and welcoming environment for birds.

Providing shelter and safety

Placing bird feeders near trees or shrubs can provide birds with a safe haven from predators. However, ensure that the feeders are not too close to trees, as this can allow squirrels to jump onto them. Additionally, consider using window decals or moving feeders to prevent bird collisions with windows.

Avoiding overfeeding

Overfeeding birds can lead to dependency on the feeders, reducing their natural foraging behavior. It’s essential to monitor the amount of food consumed and adjust the quantity accordingly to ensure that the feeders supplement rather than replace natural food sources.

Additional deterrents for pigeons

While choosing the right birdseed and feeder can help deter pigeons, there are additional measures you can take to discourage them from visiting your garden.

Using bird repellents

Bird repellents can be used to discourage pigeons from roosting or feeding in your garden. Products like Flock Free Bird Repellent are designed to deter birds without harming them, providing an additional layer of protection for your bird feeders.

Maintaining a clean garden

Regularly cleaning up spilled seed and debris can help reduce the attractiveness of your garden to pigeons and other unwanted visitors. This simple practice can significantly impact the types of birds that visit your feeders.
Keeping pigeons away from your bird feeders requires a combination of the right birdseed, feeder design, and garden maintenance. By choosing seeds that pigeons don’t prefer, using feeders that exclude larger birds, and maintaining a clean and safe garden environment, you can create a haven for smaller bird species while discouraging unwanted visitors.