Dodge/Flower Neighborhood Association

Pigeon Infestation

Health Hazard

A number of people on Baxter and Dodge have complained about the pigeon problem. Peggy Tate of the City Prosecutors Office (520-791-5492 X1634) tells me it is illegal to provide food that pigeons can eat. The best time to see pigeons feeding is dawn and dusk. If no one were feeding them they wouldn't stay in the neighborhood. If anyone knows who is providing food that they can eat, notify Peggy Tate and she will take appropriate action. I have discussed the problem with Barb Lehmann and hopefully we can make a neighborhood effort to eliminate the health hazard.
- Gordon Fulmer, Dec 10, 2002

If you have any questions, Gordon can be contacted at 795-4113. The comments below have been posted in response to Gordon’s concerns. Please read them for suggested solutions to your own pigeon problem. Feel free to add your comments/suggestions on this, or any other neighborhood issue, on the “Talk About It” page on our website.

Neighbor Comments

Police Assistance
Sgt. Webster and I will try to help you and you neighborhood with whatever you need. You can reach us at 791-4253 or 791-5562.
- Ofc. Martina Jakober #41814

Pigeons and Palms in Doolen/ Fruitvale Neighborhood
I've threatened to take my neighbor who owns the 5 apts. to the north of me, to court cause they won't spend the $$ to clean up their 7 palms, which house more than a thousand birds.
I'm sick of the poop and the dead ones, and the only thing that I love is the Red-tail Hawk that comes and has one every other morning on my roof, for breakfast
-By bobbalou

False Accusations and Pigeon Control
You know I don't like to get involved in much in the neighborhood, including this. But I have had so many neighbors over the years actually accuse me of feeding the birds! Unbelievable! [Pigeons] are positively dis-gusting! Two of my neighbors couldn't use their carports for months while trying to solve the problem. I fear they will find what we have (they're baaaack). A cat! Get a cat!!!! If you pass this along, I really would like to remain anonymous.
We have had a pigeon problem for years (off & on). I have spoken with so many neighbors over the years. I seriously doubt if anyone is purposely feeding them.
When I worked for a general contractor, we were often called by Circle K to keep the birds away. No matter what we used they always came back.
I believe the problem has more to do with their nesting habits. I don't know how far they will go for food, but I do know they will spend months trying to regain their nests (maybe longer).
I also believe it is illegal to poison or harm them in any way, although I am not sure.
We have put up metal mesh in their nesting areas, which works temporarily. The very same pigeons come back daily to tear at it, literally for months until they are moved back in & laying more eggs.
-By Anonymous

Midtown Solution – Bird vs. Bird
A hawk/falcon has built a nest at the Tucson Botanical Gardens. This bird ALONE has diminished the ''flying rat'' (pigeon) epidemic in MidTown. He/she hunts the neighborhood looking for lunch.
Pigeons are packing up and moving on . . . perhaps to your area. I suggest you get yourselves a hawk . . . or create an environment to attract one. No kidding.
-By Brad Holland
NeighborhoodLaw@aol.com

Don't Invite Pigeons to your Home
Concerning the pigeon issue, someone may, in fact, be feeding SOME of the pigeons, but pigeons will eat just about anything and will scavenge from garbage and food scraps.
I had a serious infestation problem at my house when I moved in....Pigeons had been nesting there for years - in unused chimneys, roof eaves and just about any window ledge, room air conditioner or spot that afforded them some degree of protection from the elements. It took 6 months to do it, but we have finally boarded up, boxed in and screened off every single possible landing and nesting place that existed.
Pigeons will not stand on a ledge that is 45 degrees or greater, so a simple angled board was often all that was needed to prevent pigeons from hanging out on window ledges and window air conditioners. I'll be happy to discuss the details with anyone interested
Consequentially, we have not seen anything but a stray pigeon anywhere on the property, while before there were always at least 20-30 nesting and breeding pigeons on the property.
My neighbor, Mountain Shadows Apartments, tells me that some of the birds appeared to have moved over there where the structure is currently more pigeon-friendly. I also know there are many OPEN DUMPSTERS on the Mountain Shadows property, which probably provide ample food for the pests.
Discarded fast food, from burger buns to french fries along GRANT and DODGE also provide sustenance for these unwelcome visitors.
Pigeons are very territorial by nature and once they have established your residence as a home base, they think they own the place and will return there unless conditions are made difficult for them to nest and breed.
There are a number of websites which give other ideas from nylon string to wires to streamers that will repel the birds or tangle their wings, as well as a gel that can be applied to a flat surface, that will prevent them from landing. Another way is a system of stainless steel wires that get applied to a flat surface, sticking up like needles, that will prevent them from landing, but this is mostly used in commercial applications and is not very attractive for a residence.
I do think we need to make sure no one is feeding the pigeons, but we also need to keep the neighbor-hood clean and take steps to insure that our public and private buildings are not conducive to becoming homes for the winged rats!
-By John Cise
johncise@yahoo.com

Pigeon Newspaper Article
Aside from the eyesore caused by pigeon droppings, there is the potential health hazard associated with pigeons.
From an article in the Tucson Citizen, edited because of the 600 word limit [on the “Talk About It” page].
''Pigeons are vectors of diseases and they are hosts to vectors of diseases,''
Brandstatt said. ''Humans can get diseases directly from a pigeon or the organisms that attach to them such as fleas.'' One of the bacteria that can attach to the birds is salmonella, according to the Arizona Department of Health Services. Pigeons can also carry other microbes that can cause histoplasmosis and psittacosis, which show up as pneumonia-like conditions. There is the potential of humans contracting those ailments if they inhale dry droppings that have turned to dust and are pumped into air-conditioning systems, health officials say. ''Pigeons can carry a great many things,'' said Michael Fink, epidemiology specialist at the state health department.
There are countless options but exclusion through the use of netting is a good long-term solution, Brandstatt said. In some cases, spikes are also installed in what would typically be pigeon nesting and eating areas.
One technique that has stirred up some controversy is Avitrol baiting, which can cost $230 for a 5-pound box. If there is a feeding site on a roof, for example, the bait works by soaking corn or grains pigeons eat in the chemical. ''The pigeons that eat the Avitrol have basically a bad acid trip. They emit warning cries. When they give warnings to the flock, the flock leaves,'' Brandstatt said. Most pigeons will opt to go to an alternative, often higher, site and typically don't return, he said. ''It's a chemical that produces hallucinations,'' Brandstatt said. ''It's not designed to kill pigeons.''
Harold Harlan, staff entomologist for the National Pest Control Association, a private nonprofit trade industry group, said the chemical is not intended to kill. ''Just like with any chemical, it's all dose-related. There is an occasional fatality if they get enough of a dose,'' he said. ''Discomfort would have to be fairly common or it wouldn't work.''
Dave Roth, founder and president of the Urban Wildlife Society, said he isn't against keeping pigeons away from properties. He suggests ''habitat modification,'' which means blocking off access to potential shelter areas and sources of food. Many times, pigeons will simply leave to find another source of food.
-By Anonymous