5 ms·

If you want the low-tech solution, here is a recipe that definitely resolved it for me: - One big spoon of cinnamon - One big spoon of chilli peppers - Half

If you want the low-tech solution, here is a recipe that definitely resolved it for me: - One big spoon of cinnamon - One big spoon of chilli peppers - Half a bottle of cheap, cleaning vinegar Spray it in all the places that the pigeons want to land. I am doing that once a week and it is enough to keep them away. If you clean your whole balcony with it, you might be able to go through most of the spring - when I think they really get annoying because they are looking for a place to make a nest.

andai 5y ago
This is interesting, I was under the impression that chili peppers specifically evolved (spiciness) to be edible by birds but not mammals. Maybe that's an adaptation specific to tropical birds?
- MontyCarloHall 5y ago
  You are correct; birds are not sensitive to capsaicin [0]. Seems this is specifically confirmed for pigeons [1]. Perhaps the cinnamon or vinegar are the true repellents? [0] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11853675/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11853675/ [1] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3797018/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3797018/
- Conlectus 5y ago
  Adding on: Though there is no consensus, I believe that is now the less-popular theory for the origin of spiciness. It seems instead to be a form of pesticide and fungicide. Evidence for this is that pepper varieties tend to be spicier in wetter environments, where the biological resources spent on producing capsaicin to fight fungus are more valuable than preserving them in case of drought. Source: https://sitn.hms.harvard.edu/flash/2012/issue131b/ https://sitn.hms.harvard.edu/flash/2012/issue131b/
realo 5y ago
Another low tech solution: feed them occasionally on your balcony… birds are smart and they will not poo in their food plate. Cooked pasta works well, nothing will be left when they leave.
- michaelcampbell 5y ago
  Hard disagree, or our pigeons are especially daft. (To be fair, ours are wild Mourning Doves), but they crap all over the food and water receptacles we have out for a variety of birds.
- imperistan 5y ago
  I was under the impression that birds have no sphincter so they can't control when they poop. Is this not true?
  - MerelyMortal 5y ago
    Wouldn't it then always slowly leak out rather than become one big glop?
  - geoduck14 5y ago
    Some birds do, some don't. Source: my pet duck didn't have a sphincter. Pro tip: don't get a pet duck
geoduck14 5y ago
This is cool alright, but can I program a Rasberry Pi to spray it?
perfopt 4y ago
No water? Just mix in vinegar?

andai 5y ago

This is interesting, I was under the impression that chili peppers specifically evolved (spiciness) to be edible by birds but not mammals. Maybe that's an adaptation specific to tropical birds?

MontyCarloHall 5y ago
You are correct; birds are not sensitive to capsaicin [0]. Seems this is specifically confirmed for pigeons [1]. Perhaps the cinnamon or vinegar are the true repellents? [0] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11853675/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11853675/ [1] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3797018/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3797018/
Conlectus 5y ago
Adding on: Though there is no consensus, I believe that is now the less-popular theory for the origin of spiciness. It seems instead to be a form of pesticide and fungicide. Evidence for this is that pepper varieties tend to be spicier in wetter environments, where the biological resources spent on producing capsaicin to fight fungus are more valuable than preserving them in case of drought. Source: https://sitn.hms.harvard.edu/flash/2012/issue131b/ https://sitn.hms.harvard.edu/flash/2012/issue131b/

realo 5y ago

Another low tech solution: feed them occasionally on your balcony… birds are smart and they will not poo in their food plate. Cooked pasta works well, nothing will be left when they leave.

michaelcampbell 5y ago
Hard disagree, or our pigeons are especially daft. (To be fair, ours are wild Mourning Doves), but they crap all over the food and water receptacles we have out for a variety of birds.
imperistan 5y ago
I was under the impression that birds have no sphincter so they can't control when they poop. Is this not true?
- MerelyMortal 5y ago
  Wouldn't it then always slowly leak out rather than become one big glop?
- geoduck14 5y ago
  Some birds do, some don't. Source: my pet duck didn't have a sphincter. Pro tip: don't get a pet duck

geoduck14 5y ago

This is cool alright, but can I program a Rasberry Pi to spray it?

perfopt 4y ago

No water? Just mix in vinegar?