For businesses in Louisville, pigeons are more than just a nuisance; they are a significant liability. Whether you manage a retail center in St. Matthews, a warehouse in Jeffersontown, or a historic building downtown, a pigeon infestation can damage your property, drive away customers, and create serious health hazards.

Pigeons (Rock Doves) are uniquely adapted to urban environments. They view our buildings as cliff faces, using ledges, signs, and HVAC units as roosting and nesting sites. Once a flock establishes a roost, they are incredibly persistent and difficult to remove without professional intervention.

The Cost of Doing Nothing

Ignoring a pigeon problem is expensive.

1. Property Damage Pigeon droppings are highly acidic. Over time, they eat through paint, corrode metal, and degrade stone and concrete.

• Roofing: Droppings accumulate on roofs, blocking gutters and drains, leading to water backups and leaks. The acid can also shorten the lifespan of roofing membranes.
• HVAC: Feathers and nesting material clog air intakes and condenser coils, reducing efficiency and causing equipment failure.
• Vehicles: If pigeons roost over a parking lot, the damage to employee and customer vehicle paint can be severe.

2. Health & Safety Risks

• Slip and Fall: Wet droppings on sidewalks and entryways are a major slip hazard, exposing you to liability lawsuits.
• Disease: Pigeon droppings can harbor over 60 diseases, including Histoplasmosis, Cryptococcosis, and E. coli. When dry droppings are disturbed (like during cleaning), spores become airborne and can be inhaled by staff and customers.

3. Brand Image First impressions matter. A storefront covered in bird waste or a sign filled with nesting straw sends a message of neglect. It can deter customers from entering your business.

Professional Control Solutions

There is no “one size fits all” solution for pigeons. Effective control requires a combination of deterrents tailored to the specific architecture of your building.

1. Bird Spikes

Best For: Ledges, parapet walls, security cameras, and light fixtures. Stainless steel or plastic spikes prevent birds from landing by making the surface uneven and uncomfortable. They are humane (they do not stab the bird) and highly effective for linear surfaces.

2. Bird Netting

Best For: Large open areas like loading dock overhangs, warehouse ceilings, and courtyards. Netting is the only 100% effective way to exclude birds from a large 3D space. It creates a physical barrier that blocks access to rafters and beams where birds roost. We use heavy-duty, UV-stabilized netting that is nearly invisible from the ground.

3. Electric Track Systems

Best For: High-visibility retail, historic buildings, and signage. If aesthetics are a priority, electric tracks are the gold standard. A low-profile strip is glued to the ledge. When a bird lands, it receives a mild, harmless static shock. This conditions the bird to avoid the area. The track is virtually invisible from the street.

4. Wire Systems

Best For: Handrails, pipes, and very narrow ledges. A thin, spring-tensioned wire is mounted on posts. When a bird tries to land, the wire is unstable, forcing them to fly away. This is a very discreet option for modern architecture.

The Importance of Cleanup

Before installing any deterrents, the site must be thoroughly cleaned. Pigeons are attracted to the scent of their own droppings. We provide professional pressure washing and sanitization services to remove the waste and pheromones, giving you a fresh start.

Protect your investment and your image. Contact Critter Removal of Louisville for a commercial bird control assessment.