Are Pigeons Just Flying Rats?

Some people are terrified of birds, while others keep them as pets. Pigeons are ubiquitous in the city and countryside alike, and they have a reputation for being nothing more than “rats with wings." Is a pigeon the bird equivalent of a rat? Read on to discover more about bird removal in Milwaukee, how to keep their population under control on your property, and whether this rodent-adjacent label is deserved.

Differences and Similarities Between Pigeons and Rats

Pigeons may have acquired this comparison to rats due to the fact that they snack on your leftovers at restaurants and hang around your yard in groups. In this way, they can resemble rats and mice; however, pigeons are often harmless (though annoying) guests.

Rats

Rats are rodents, and, unlike birds, they are capable of invading your house, spreading disease, and even chewing their way through your electrical wiring and causing fires as a result. It’s commonly thought that rats were responsible for spreading the Black Plague in the middle ages that wiped out nearly half of the European population. Many historians now speculate that humans actually did most of the damage when it came to spreading this plague, but rats are still capable of infecting humans with several bacteria and viruses — especially when they bite you.

Pigeons

While pigeons can be an annoyance to those who spend a lot of time outside, they typically don’t cause infestations in people’s houses, and they don’t have the same reputation as rats for spreading disease. You may be interested to know that there is no scientific difference between pigeons and doves: Pigeons seem dirty and irritating while doves seem clean, nice, and well-behaved — but in most parts of the world, they are considered to be the same type of bird. Pigeons can be mean to other birds in your yard, and they can monopolize your territory as well. If you’ve given up on trying to rid your space of pigeons — perhaps you’ve found that running a sprinkler can scare them off in the short term, or perhaps you’re considering using anti-roost products to fend them off — give us a call to have them removed humanely and painlessly.

Why You Should Deal With Pigeons in Your Yard

Pigeons contribute to our ecosystem by cleaning up unwanted food and becoming food for larger predators. They shouldn't be eradicated, but they should live in a place that isn't your home! Pigeons can be extremely messy as they roost, socialize, and fill your yard with droppings, which can carry bacteria and fungus that make humans sick. Feral pigeons can create lots of nests — and produce lots of offspring. This means more pigeons, more droppings, and a higher chance of getting infected with the bacteria they carry. If you have small children or pets, allowing pigeons to hang around is a risk you don’t want to take. Teach your kids that pigeons are not their pets and that they should not feed them. Having access to regular food increases the likelihood that these birds will want to relocate to your yard, porch, or roof! If you are trying to rid your yard of pigeons, please do not attempt to pick up the birds, crate them, or carry them off the property by yourself. Call us for a humane, quick solution to your bird problem.

Get In Touch With Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control

At Skedaddle, we strive to please our customers with high-quality pest removal service and expert communication throughout the process. We aim to humanely remove animals and birds from your home and seal your residence to prevent the intrusion of more unwanted guests. Whether you’re dealing with one unwanted animal or dozens of them, we can offer solutions. Give us a call or fill out this contact form today. We look forward to working with you!