Why installing physical bird deterrents is a better bet for effective bird control.

Article Shared From: The Johnson City Press

Published February 6, 2012
By Amanda Marsh- Press Staff Writer

They’ll be back.

That’s what some are saying about the problematic pigeon population at the Washington County Courthouse in downtown Jonesborough.

In an effort to prevent the birds from roosting at the historic building, Jonesborough’s Historic Zoning Commission voted to remove the louvers from the backside of the building so there would be less places for the birds to gather and bird spikes were also placed on several ledges of the courthouse. Last month, county officials also decided to allow the USDA Wildlife Services Division to administer a toxicant to the birds that will kill them in one to three days.

Laura Simon, field director of urban wildlife for the Humane Society of the United States, says these steps will not rid the building of its pigeon plight.

“The solution they have chosen is absolutely senseless and biologically inappropriate,” Simon said. “If you poison them, more pigeons are going to fly in and use the structure.” (more…)