Doves are beautiful birds, but they can also be a nuisance for homeowners. Their cooing can be loud and distracting, and their droppings can damage property. If doves have taken up residence in or around your home, you may be looking for safe and effective ways to discourage them from staying. This article explores humane methods for keeping doves away from your house or yard.
Why Do Doves Come Near Homes?
Doves are attracted to homes for several reasons:
- Food sources like bird feeders or trash bins
- Shelter in trees, roofs, or ledges
- Birdbaths or other water sources
- Nesting spots in protected nooks
Providing food or water can encourage doves to flock to your property. They may also see your home as a safe spot to build nests and raise young. Understanding what draws doves near houses is key to discouraging them.
Problems Caused by Doves
While doves themselves are generally harmless, having too many near your home can cause issues like:
- Noise – Cooing and fluttering sounds, especially early in the morning
- Mess – Droppings on outdoor furniture, cars, or pathways
- Damage – Nests blocking gutters or soffits
- Health Risks – Bird mites or potential spread of disease
- Aggressive Behavior – Diving or swooping to protect nests
Managing dove populations around your property can help reduce these problems.
Humane Ways to Repel Doves
There are several effective options to discourage doves without harming them. Here are some of the top humane dove deterrents:
Remove Food and Water Sources
Eliminating access to bird food and water removes two major attractants. Consider taking these steps:
- Take down bird feeders entirely or use feeders with weight-activated perches so larger birds like doves cannot access the food
- Clean up spilled seed from the ground under feeders
- Remove birdbaths, fountains, or other water sources
- Keep trash bins closed securely so doves cannot scavenge
Without easy food and water, doves are less likely to congregate.
Install Bird Repellent Devices
There are many inexpensive, humane products designed to annoy birds and drive them away. Options include:
- Scare tape – Reflective flashing tape that shimmers in the breeze
- Fake predators – Lifelike replica hawks, owls, or snakes
- Ultrasonic repellers – Emit high-frequency sounds only birds can hear
- Motion-activated sprinklers – Spray water to startle birds away
Place these items where doves roost or frequent to discourage them from settling there.
Use Visual Repellents
Visual cues can make an area less appealing to doves:
- Hang aluminum foil strips or old CDs to create glints of light that deter birds
- Place inflatable balloons with large eyes near nests or roosts
- Use predator decoys like plastic owls moved frequently to mimic a living predator
Shiny, reflective, or looming objects can mimic danger and convince doves to avoid the area.
Apply Bird Repellent Gel
Non-toxic bird repellent gels use mild irritation to keep doves off specific surfaces. Apply these slippery gels:
- On ledges, rooflines, or railings where doves perch
- Around the outer edges of birdbaths or fountains
- On fence posts, signs, or outdoor decor doves often land on
Reapply after rain. The gels make landing uncomfortable without harming birds’ feet.
Use Predator Sounds
Noise devices that play predator calls or distress cries can frighten doves away. Options include:
- Battery-powered units automatically activated by motion sensors
- Speakers connected to a smartphone or stereo playing recorded sounds
- Apps with various bird distress calls that can be downloaded
Place these in and around areas where doves roost or feed. Change the location regularly so birds don’t become accustomed.
Trim Trees and Shrubs
Pruning back overgrown trees and shrubs can take away protective cover that attracts nesting doves. Eliminate dense areas and maintain an open landscape. However, avoid excessive trimming during spring and summer nesting season.
Use Exclusion Methods
Physically blocking doves from spaces can be an effective deterrent:
- Install bird netting over roofs, patios, or gardens
- Hang wind chimes or place vertical roosting deterrents on ledges
- Plug holes in barn or shed walls where doves enter
- Add wire mesh over vents, chimneys, or gable ends to block access
Exclusion should be done humanely after nesting season ends to avoid trapping chicks inside.
Apply Bird Repellent Scents
Scent deterrents create an odor unpleasant to birds but unnoticeable to humans. Natural options include:
- Essential oils like clove, lavender, eucalyptus, or lemongrass
- Herbs like garlic, cayenne pepper, oregano, or powdered spices
- Soaps like castile or peppermint
Spray or sprinkle these onto unwanted perches or roosting areas. Reapply after rain.
When to Call a Professional
In some cases, dove problems may persist even after trying home remedies. It may be time to contact a wildlife control professional if:
- Large numbers of doves continue gathering
- Droppings or damage get excessive
- Doves are entering the interior of a building
- There are safety concerns like aggressive birds
- You are unable to identify where doves are accessing the building
- Exclusion methods require high ladders or roof access
Professionals have experience with dove behavior and biology. They can use humane hazing, trapping, or relocation methods to solve difficult dove problems.
Important Considerations
When using any dove deterrents, keep these precautions in mind:
- Avoid methods that harm birds like sticky pastes or toxic chemicals
- Do not disrupt nests in use during breeding season
- Combine multiple techniques for better effectiveness
- Be patient as reducing an established dove population takes time
- Ensure deterrents are animal safe if pets are present
- Check if a permit is required before trapping or relocating doves where protected
The goal should be convincing doves to voluntarily leave while ensuring their safety and wellbeing.
Conclusion
Doves can be annoying visitors when they take up residence around your home. Thankfully there are many gentle ways to encourage them to find a new roosting spot. Start by eliminating food sources and adding repellents. Exclusion and scaring techniques can also convince doves to move on. With some experimenting to find what works best for your situation, you can humanely evict nuisance doves and enjoy dove-free living.
