Doves can be beautiful birds, but they can also become a nuisance when they take up residence where they are not wanted. An effective dove deterrent is often needed to humanely discourage doves from nesting, roosting, and feeding in yards, gardens, patios, and other outdoor areas around homes. There are several dove deterrent methods and products to choose from, depending on your specific situation.
Why are doves a problem?
Doves are highly adaptable birds that can thrive in urban and suburban environments. They are attracted to areas that provide food, water, and shelter. Once doves move in and get comfortable, they can be difficult to evict. Dove overpopulation leads to noise, droppings, damaged vegetation, safety issues, and health concerns. Deterrents are necessary to reclaim your outdoor space for enjoyment without harming the birds.
Common dove deterrents
There are many different dove deterrent products and techniques. The most popular and effective options include:
- Scare devices – These make alarming sounds or movements to frighten doves away. Options include plastic owls, reflective deterrents, ultrasonic repellers, and equipment that makes distress calls. Scare devices work best when moved around frequently so birds don’t get used to them.
- Physical barriers – Blocking doves’ access to roosting, nesting, and feeding sites is key. Netting, spikes, coils, wire, and slope products can be installed to prevent landing and perching on ledges, gutters, rafters, signs, etc. Hang foil strips in doorways or openings to block entry.
- Repellent gels & liquids – Non-toxic gels and liquids create a sticky surface that doves avoid. Apply them on beams, eaves, peaks, and other resting spots. Reapply after rain.
- Live traps – These cages allow humane capture and relocation of doves to new areas. Use bird seed or food to attract doves inside the trap.
- Population control – In extreme cases, egg oiling, nest removal, or professional lethal control may be used to manage significant infestations on a large property.
Choosing the best dove deterrents
The most effective dove control combines multiple deterrent techniques tailored to your unique situation. Here are some tips for choosing suitable dove deterrents:
- Identify entry points, nesting sites, and feeding areas used by doves on your property. Focus deterrents on these problem spots.
- Select humane deterrents that discourage doves without harming them.
- Use visual, sound, smell, and touch repellents. Doves may get used to a single type of deterrent if used alone.
- Install physical barriers to literally block dove access. Netting, wires, coils and spikes leave no gaps.
- Scare devices work best when moved around periodically and used in combination. Stagnant decoys or sounds lose effectiveness.
- Apply gels/liquids liberally on all resting spots, reapplying often especially after rain.
- Use live traps carefully and humanely. Release trapped doves at least 10 miles away to prevent return.
- For major infestations, contact professionals to discuss special permits needed for egg oiling, nest removal or lethal control.
- Be patient. Removing doves’ food, water and shelter while employing multiple deterrents takes time and persistence.
Top 10 Dove Deterrent Products
Here are 10 of the most popular and proven dove deterrent products:
| Product | Description |
|---|---|
| Bird Spikes | Plastic or metal spikes that prevent birds from landing and perching. Install on ledges, beams, gutters. |
| Bird Netting | Durable polyethylene netting that excludes birds from covered areas. Drape over trees, plants, structures. |
| Reflective Tape | Flashing foil tape that creates visual disturbance with sun reflections. Hang in sheets or twist in streamers. |
| Motion-Activated Sprinkler | Automated sprinkler turns on when triggered by birds flying nearby. Moves water stream randomly. |
| Ultrasonic Repeller | Emits high frequency sound waves only birds can hear. Use multiple units for maximum coverage. |
| Predator Decoy | Realistic plastic owls, hawks and snakes frighten birds. Position in different spots periodically. |
| Bird Slope | Slanted panels keep birds from roosting on flat surfaces. Install on ledges, beams, poles. |
| Bird Repellent Gel | Clear gel creates tacky surface that birds avoid. Apply on rafters, roof peaks, ledges. |
| Live Bird Trap | Humane wire cage traps birds inside. Bait with seed. Release birds away from property. |
| Bird Scare Tape | Reflective moving tape flutters in breeze. Hang in open doorways, gardens, patios. |
Removing food, water and shelter
For maximum effectiveness, dove deterrents should be used along with removing outdoor food, water and shelter sources that attract doves. This may include:
- Clean up any spilled bird seed, pet food or other food debris.
- Adjust sprinklers to avoid puddling water for drinking and bathing.
- Trim trees and bushes to reduce nesting sites. Remove dense vegetation.
- Block access under decks, in outbuildings and other covered shelter areas.
- Fix leaky taps and plug drains that provide drinking water.
- Remove feeders and bird baths, or use types with dove exclusions.
- Clean gutters and hire a roofing company to seal openings that allow roosting inside.
When to hire a professional
For severe dove infestations, professional bird control services may be needed. Companies have access to advanced equipment and decoys, stronger gels and repellents, nest removal tools, and lethal control methods. They can assess your property, identify problem areas, and implement an integrated bird deterrent program for maximum impact. Costs vary depending on the size of property and extent of the dove problem.
Conclusion
Doves can be persistent when they settle in where they are not wanted. An integrated pest control approach is needed to humanely drive them away and keep them from returning. This includes blocking their access to food, water and shelter while employing a variety of deterrents such as spikes, netting, gels and scare devices. Using multiple techniques consistently is key. For severe infestations, professionals can provide advanced dove control services. Implementing the right deterrent plan takes patience and diligence, but is worthwhile to reclaim your outdoor space.
