Here's a quick video showing how easy it is to keep pigeons off your swing set with Defender® Wide Plastic Pigeon Spikes. These spikes are a humane and effective way to deter birds from roosting on your swing set. Once you've installed the spikes, you can relax knowing that your swing set will be pigeon-free. You'll no longer have to worry about cleaning up pigeon poop!
Spring is in the air, and that means it's time to get the kids outside and enjoy the warm weather. But before you can start playing, you need to make sure your playground equipment is clean and safe. One of the biggest problems with playground equipment is pigeons. These pesky birds are attracted to the high, open spaces that playground equipment provides, and they can quickly make a mess of your equipment below with their droppings.
Not only is it an unsightly mess and annoying to clean up continuously, but in large quantities, pigeon droppings can also lead to health issues, make your play equipment slippery and cause damage by corroding metal and staining wood.
Look no further if you want the solution to your pooped-on play equipment. We have a range of solutions and ideas to help you tackle the problem! The Defender® Wide Plastic Pigeon Spikes is a top seller for getting pigeons off climbing frames, swings and play equipment. These are quick and easy to install with silicone or screwed directly into wooden cross beams. They also work instantly, allowing you and the kids to enjoy the garden again.
However, continue reading if you fancy more details about what might be causing the pigeons to sit, stand, poop and make a mess all over your play equipment and, better still, a range of ideas and solutions to help you get them off it.
Top Places a Pigeon Will Roost on Play Equipment
Pigeons are attracted to play equipment in gardens because it provides a place to rest, roost, and nest. Some of the most common play equipment that pigeons sit on include:
- Swings
- slides
- Jungle Gyms
- Climbing Frames
- Swing sets
- Playhouses
- Forts
- Trampolines
How to stop pigeons from sitting and landing on play equipment?
Let’s start with the basics; the pigeons have chosen your swing, climbing frame or trampoline for a reason, and understanding why will help to remove them permanently. The pigeons are likely using the high-up location to look for food.
Step one is to remove any food or water sources that may attract the pigeons. This includes bird feeders, pet food bowls, and open rubbish bins. This will encourage them to go somewhere where a food source is more easily accessible. This can be difficult if the food source is not yours. If a neighbour is feeding the birds, try talking to them; if they choose to continue, don’t worry, move on to step two – bird deterrents.
If you see pigeons sitting on play equipment, act fast. They may be looking for a place to nest nearby, and the last thing you want is for them to set up camp in an inconvenient spot on your property. It's better for everyone if they can find a more natural nesting site elsewhere.
In the UK, you cannot remove a pigeon nest if it is in use or even if it is being built. This is because of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, which makes it an offence to intentionally take, damage or destroy a wild bird's nest.
What bird deterrents can I use for play equipment?
It's time for step two: consider using a bird deterrent. We would always recommend using bird spikes, as they are a long-term solution to this problem. However here are a few bird deterrents that you can use to stop pigeons from landing on play equipment:
Long Term Solution
- Bird & Pigeon Spikes: metal or plastic spikes installed on surfaces where pigeons like to land. The spikes make it uncomfortable for pigeons to land, moving them on without injury. These are perfect for outdoor play equipment like swings, climbing frames and trampoline nets. They are quick and easy to install and work immediately.
Bird spikes are a long-term solution for deterring pigeons from play equipment because they are:
- Effective and humane: Bird spikes make it uncomfortable for pigeons to land but do not injure them; they will simply find somewhere easier to sit or perch.
- Durable: Bird spikes are made of durable materials like stainless steel or polycarbonate plastic to withstand the elements and last for years.
- Low maintenance: Bird spikes require little maintenance besides occasional cleaning.
- Affordable: Bird spikes are a cost-effective way to deter pigeons.
Short-term solutions include:
- Ultrasonic devices: Ultrasonic devices emit high-pitched sounds that are inaudible to humans but are annoying to birds. These devices can be effective in deterring birds from landing on play equipment. They aren’t a permanent solution, as pigeons will eventually become accustomed to and ignore ultrasonic sounds. Ultrasonic devices can be more expensive than other types of bird repellents.
- Predator decoys: Predator decoys are fake animals that are placed in areas where pigeons like to land. The decoys are designed to scare the pigeons away by making them think a predator is nearby. Decoy falcons and wind action owls do not work for pigeons in the long run because pigeons are very intelligent birds, and they quickly learn that the decoy is not a real threat.