While they may seem harmless, pigeons are a lucrative bird that are the cause of common garden problems – but there’s one specific colour that will put them off flying in
Love them or hate them, but you definitely can’t avoid them. Pigeons are everywhere, and famously named ‘rats of the sky’.
While they may seem completely harmless, they are often the root cause of problems in your garden. It’s hard to get rid of pigeons, especially during spring and summer, as we start to enjoy meals outside more frequently. However, this one specific colour is an instant deterrent for the bird, and planting flowers in this shade is a fool-proof way to ensure they don’t return while maintaining a beautiful garden.
Interestingly enough, the colour white is an instant ‘red flag’ to birds, particularly pigeons. Similar to how humans associate the colour red with danger, white serves as a warning to birds.
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An expert at Sefton Meadows Garden Centre explains: “Many birds use the white plumage in their feathers to show each other that there is danger ahead, so planting a variety of white flowers around areas you want to keep protected might be enough to deter birds from landing.”
Pigeons may seem harmless and more of a nuisance than anything else, but the reality is quite the opposite. If you’ve noticed your plants being pulled apart lately, you should know who the culprit is.
These birds are known to walk around, pecking at crumbs on the patio or gathering twigs to construct somewhat dubious nests. Frequently, dismantling garden plants and vegetable patches, lilacs, peas, and brassicas are among their preferred choices.
Therefore, to keep them away, try planting some white flowers in your yard. White roses, petunia and hydrangea are some of the most popular choices, as well as lobelia, peonies and shasta daisies.
Not only that, hanging shiny and reflective objects, like mirrors and CDS, can further help deter these birds. Other white objects, such as decorative pebbles, stones, or furniture, can also help create a sense of uneasiness for pigeons, causing them to avoid areas where these colours are prevalent.
Pigeons are known to be afraid of their reflections. An expert at Sefton Meadows Garden Centre explains: “You can also buy ‘scare tape’ that produces the same effect. Be careful with mirrors on especially sunny days, as concentrated light in a dry garden could pose a fire risk.”
So next time you notice an influx of pigeons occupying your backyard, opt for some white flowers. You might just be surprised how effective this simple solution is!