Doves are beautiful birds that can become problematic when they invade areas where they are not wanted. Their melodious cooing can quickly become annoying when they take up residence and nest in places like barns, attics, eaves, and porches. While doves themselves are gentle creatures, their droppings can cause damage, and they can become aggressive during nesting season. For these reasons, many property owners look for safe and effective ways to scare doves away from areas where they are causing issues.
Why Might You Want to Scare Away Doves?
There are a few main reasons property owners may want to discourage doves from nesting and roosting in certain areas:
– Droppings – Dove droppings can cause messes and damage. When doves gather in large numbers, their droppings can accumulate quickly. Droppings that are allowed to pile up can damage wood, vehicles, lawn furniture, statues, and other items. Dove droppings may also carry diseases.
– Nuisance noise – Doves can become very noisy with their constant cooing, especially in the spring during mating season. This can be frustrating for property owners who are trying to enjoy peace and quiet.
– Aggressive behavior – Doves become protective of their nests and young. They may attack or chase after humans who get too close during nesting season. This can make areas around dove nests difficult to use.
– Property damage – Doves can cause property damage with their droppings and nest-building activities. They may peck at wood or tear up insulation to build nests. Nests may become fire hazards if built near heat sources.
Scare Tactics to Try
There are a variety of tactics that can be effective for scaring unwanted doves away. Here are some options to consider:
Reflective deterrents
Shiny objects like old CDs, metallic streamers, and reflective tape can help deter doves. The reflections and movement disturb them and make them hesitant to roost. Hang these items around entry points and locations where doves are roosting. Over time, the birds will associate those areas with frightening reflections.
Predator decoys
Lifelike plastic owls, hawks, and snakes can frighten doves away. Position them around your property in dove problem areas. Move them around periodically so the doves don’t become accustomed to them in static positions. Adding real bird feathers near the decoys can make them seem more intimidating.
Sound and light devices
There are motion-activated devices that produce sudden sounds, lights, or ultrasonic frequencies when triggered. These can give doves a harmless but alarming surprise when they land. Sprinkler motion detectors can also be adapted to scare doves instead of soaking them.
Chemical repellents
Non-toxic bird taste and odor repellents can make areas unappealing roosting spots for doves. Look for products containing methyl anthranilate or capsaicin. Apply them on favored roosting and landing areas. Avoid using inside due to potential for unpleasant odors. Reapply after rain.
Exclusion
Blocking off doves’ access points can be the most effective method. Install hardware cloth, netting, boards, wire, or other barriers to close off any openings larger than 3-4 inches. This prevents doves from being able to enter and nest. Monitor for new openings that may need to be sealed.
Nest removal
Discard any nesting materials doves have already gathered. This may discourage them from restarting in the same spot. Check areas routinely for new nests beginning to take shape. Removing eggs and nests with young is typically illegal without permits, so prevention is best.
Population control
In extreme cases, legal humane population control through dove trapping and relocation or other methods approved by authorities may be warranted. This is generally a last resort option when all other scare tactics have failed. Professional pest control assistance is recommended.
When and Where to Use Scare Tactics
Using a combination of the scare tactics above at strategic times and locations can train doves to avoid identified problem areas. Here are some tips for when and where to focus deterrents:
– Start early before roosting begins – It’s easier to keep doves from establishing roosts than to try removing them once settled in. Begin scare tactics at the first signs of doves snooping around a site.
– Use around nesting season – Be vigilant about deterrents in spring when doves start scouting nesting spots. Nesting season lasts around late March through September.
– Target favored hangouts – Concentrate efforts on established roosts and locations with suitable nesting potential like ledges, beams, and dense shrubbery.
– Complement exclusions – Enhance barriers and blocked access points with reflective deterrents, sounds, and repellents.
– Vary locations – Move decoys, reflections, sounds, and repellents around to various spots so doves don’t get too comfortable.
– Be persistent – Scare tactics may need to be used diligently over a period of time before doves abandon attempts to roost and nest. Don’t give up too quickly.
When Scare Tactics May Not Work
While the scare tactics described above can be very effective at discouraging doves from settling in, they do have limitations in certain scenarios:
– Availability of better habitat – If doves have ideal nesting habitat available nearby that offers better protection, mates, and food sources, they may choose to tolerate deterrents.
– Limited nesting options – When doves have very few alternative nesting options, they may continue trying to build nests despite deterrents. This often occurs in urban areas.
– Very established roosts – Scaring birds away from a long-established roost with many individuals may be difficult and require persistent effort.
– Weather protection – Doves may tolerate deterrents when a roost offers important shelter from weather if other protected spots aren’t available.
– Food incentives – Easy access to ample food, such as seed from a nearby bird feeder, can override scare tactics and keep doves coming back.
– Nest with eggs/young – Doves are extremely persistent about incubating eggs and raising young. Scare tactics are less effective once eggs are laid.
Natural Predators That Deter Doves
In addition to the purposeful scare tactics described, the natural presence of certain predator species can deter doves from settling in an area. Some birds and animals known to prey on adult doves, eggs, hatchlings, and nestlings include:
Falcons
These swift raptors are adept dove hunters. Common species like the American kestrel and peregrine falcon may drive doves away.
Hawks
Sharp-shinned hawks, Cooper’s hawks, and other Accipiters specialize in hunting smaller birds like doves. Their presence can keep doves on high alert.
Crows
Very intelligent and aggressive corvids, crows will raid dove nests for eggs and chicks. They also mob doves to chase them from food sources.
Raccoons
Known for their dexterous paws, raccoons frequently raid bird nests, including doves’, for tasty eggs and babies.
Snakes
Climbing species like rat snakes and certain boas readily consume eggs and nestlings. Adult doves may spot them and stay away.
Coyotes
These opportunistic canids will prey on unwary doves and other accessible birds, keeping local populations in check.
Feral Cats
Prolific and patient hunters, feral and free-roaming cats are able to snag adult doves and nestlings. Their stalking makes doves wary.
The presence of some or all of these dove predators in an area may mean fewer issues with dove roosting and nesting. Avoid eliminating their natural habitat like tall trees and brush.
Example Scare Tactics Schedule
To maximize the effectiveness of using a variety of dove deterrents, it’s helpful to create a schedule. Having a plan for which scare tactics to use when and where will make anti-dove efforts more strategic. Here is an example 2 week schedule:
Date | Tactics | Locations |
---|---|---|
March 1 | Install reflective ribbons above garage, porch, and shed. | Garage roofline, porch eaves, shed roof |
March 2 | Set up motion-activated sprinkler near garage. Hang flashing strobe light in tree near porch. | Garage corner, oak tree |
March 4 | Apply chemical repellent gel on porch rafters and garage door top. | Porch ceiling, garage door header |
March 6 | Install fake hawk decoy in different tree. Remove any nest starts. | Maple tree, porch and garage |
March 8 | Move flashing strobe light and install new reflective ribbons. | Pine tree, shed |
March 10 | Apply new repellent gel. Move hawk decoy. Check for nests. | Garage door header, oak tree, all structures |
This example shows how integrating various scare tactics and routinely moving and changing them can optimize the harassment effect on doves. Checking for and removing early nesting materials is also critical. Maintaining a schedule helps ensure deterrents are not forgotten and gone stale.
Scare Tactics to Avoid
When attempting to scare doves away, it is important to use only legal, ethical, and safe methods. Some practices to avoid include:
– Glue traps – Extremely inhumane traps that cause prolonged suffering. Also risky for catching non-target animals.
– Pesticides – Toxic chemicals dangerous for doves and other wildlife, pets, and people. Ineffective for deterring doves.
– Net traps – Catching and relocating adult doves without permits is illegal. Traps can cause injuries.
– Shooting – Shooting lethal ammunition at doves is typically prohibited and unethical. May endanger people.
– Poison – Using poison bait or treated seeds is dangerous, indiscriminate, and unethical. Harms more than just doves.
– Disturbing active nests – Causing parents to abandon eggs or chicks is illegal and cruel without proper permits.
– Fireworks – Fireworks are risky and loud explosives that may burn or injure birds. Usually protected by local laws.
– Fire – Burning nests or trying to smoke out roosts is extremely dangerous and illegal.
The best dove deterrents rely on harassment and exclusionary tactics. Avoid anything that harms doves or jeopardizes human or pet safety. Focus humane efforts on prevention.
Important Note About Nest Removal
When scaring doves away using the recommended tactics above, it’s vital to be aware of regulations protecting active nests. The Migratory Bird Treaty Act makes it illegal to remove or destroy any bird nest with viable eggs or baby birds present without obtaining special permits. Fines for violations can be substantial.
It is perfectly legal and recommended to dismantle dove nest starts before eggs appear. But once a nest contains eggs or hatchlings, extreme caution must be used to avoid “taking” protected birds. Nest removal should not proceed without first consulting authorities like the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. Doing so responsibly may require waiting several weeks or more.
The best approach is deterring doves from building nests in the first place through early exclusion and scare tactics. This avoids the complications of dealing with active nests containing young. But if a problem nest does become established, abide by all regulations in addressing it so as not to harm nesting birds. Responsible prevention and exclusion is always the ideal solution.
Conclusion
Doves can create nuisances and cause property damage when they settle in to roost and nest where they are unwelcome. Their cooing and droppings quickly become aggravating. But there are many effective tactics available for humanely scaring doves away and training them to avoid roosting in off-limit areas.
Strategic use of reflections, predator decoys, sounds, repellents, exclusions, and nest disruption can successfully convince doves to find a more suitable home. The key is taking preventative action early before roosting and nesting behaviors become established. With an organized schedule of rotating scare tactics, property owners can successfully discourage dove tenancy without harming the birds. Doves may be exasperating at times, but a little persistent harassment will have them flying off to live peacefully elsewhere.