Gardeners urged to place ‘offensive-smelling’ £1.45 kitchen staple that pigeons hate over their lawn to get rid of them
HOMEOWNERS have finally found a way to keep pigeons away from their lawns.
An “offensive-smelling” kitchen staple is enough to drive the birds away – and it costs just £1.45.
According to experts at OVO control, certain types of “optical gel” is enough to keep pigeons away.
A spokesperson for the brand said: “[This] contains citronella and peppermint oil, which are mild and pleasant to humans, but offensive to birds.”
Birds are repelled by the gel’s smell and the way it feels, as well as by an invisible UV light that it emits.
Pigeons will see this light as fire, making them believe that your garden is unsafe.
The gel comes in small bowls which are much easier to install than spikes.
Spikes can also be very harmful to birds.
The Dr Oetker Natural Peppermint Extract is a great choice of optical gel and costs just £1.45 at Tesco.
It is actually meant to be used in birthday cakes, giving desserts a minty fresh kick.
There is also a natural way to repel birds, if they are becoming a nuisance.
By planting peppermint, marigold, and lavender, pigeons will be forced to stay away – put off by the plants’ powerful smell.
Another trick to keep pigeons out of your garden costs just 1p.
Using the pigeon’s natural fear of fire, you can keep them off your lawn – as one expert says that their presence can be very damaging.
Adeel ul-haq from Bunk Beds said: “Pigeon droppings are highly acidic and can corrode everything from paint to metal surfaces in your garden.
“Not only this, these droppings can then attract other pests such as rats which can cause further damage to your home.”
By laying out rolls of tin foil outside, pigeons will think that your garden is engulfed in a huge blaze and will fly straight past.
Meanwhile, you can enjoy some much needed, bird-free time in the garden.