Pigeons will keep out of gardens if you grow 4 plants they naturally ‘hate’ (Image: Getty)
Pigeons can be a nuisance in autumn as they will eat away at plants to forage food as they need to build up their fat reserves for the upcoming cold weather.
It is important to keep pigeons out of the garden as not only do they damage plants but their droppings can carry diseases which can contaminate soil.
Getting rid of pigeons once they have settled on your property is tricky as wild birds are protected in Britain and you cannot disturb their nests but it is easy to prevent them from being attracted to your garden.
Zack DeAngelis, an expert from Pest Pointers, has shared that a simple and humane solution for keeping birds away for good is growing plants that naturally repel them.
He said: “Birds do a lot more good than we even realise, but birds become a problem when they overtake your space and start to cause a mess. We’re talking about the plants that birds hate, and how to use them to take back ownership of your outdoors!”
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Pigeons will be scared away by white flowers growing in a garden (Image: Getty)
Plants that keep pigeons away from gardens
Any flowers with white petals such as roses or hydrangeas
Pigeons are known to eat away at seeds in flowers, but there is a good chance they will keep away from any white flowers as birds often use the white plumage on their feathers to show each other danger is nearby.
Having white flowers in the garden also makes it more difficult for pigeons to hide so any predators nearby such as owls will easily be able to spot them.
Zack said: “White flowering plants, of any kind, are generally said to alarm a bird, as the colour white can be dangerous to them.
“Why? If birds are up against a stark, white-coloured flower, it’s way harder for them to hide within the plant and thus, can be seen by predators.
“Birds typically are darker in colour or have bright-coloured bodies, both of which will stick out like a sore thumb when compared to the bright, white flowers.”
Plants will strong scents like lavender will mask the scent of plants pigeons do want to eat (Image: Getty)
Pungent plants like onions and garlic or lavender and mint
Many people do not realise that birds do have a sense of smell and will stay away from pungent plants as the scent irritates them but also masks the scent of more attractive plants they would rather eat in the garden.
Some of the best crops to have in your garden to keep pigeons away are any vegetables from the allicin family such as onions and garlic.
Zack said: “Birds hate garlic because it can overwhelm their senses, but more importantly, it just doesn’t smell as delicious to them as it does to us! With this in mind, you can easily use garlic to deter birds in a few easy ways.”
He added: “If you have a vegetable garden, or vegetables that keep getting eaten by a bird, adding a Sweet Vadalia Onion Plant or green onions into your outdoor space will not only give you a great food source but will keep birds far, far away.”
However, if having a vegetable garden is too much effort then stong-smelling herbs like mint, lavender or thyme as they contain oils that pigeons will hate the taste or smell of.
Zack said: “These fragrant plants can irritate a bird’s senses at stronger concentrations but they primarily mask scents that otherwise would attract birds.”
Plant thorny plants around the garden to help deter pigeons (Image: Getty)
Spiked and thorny plants like blackberry spikes
It may seem obvious, but pigeons will not stay in an area with plants they cannot peck at and having thorny plants growing in a garden can deter birds from trying to eat anything else growing in a garden.
One great thorny plant to have in the garden to deter birds is blackberry spikes but you can also simply buy bird spikes to put on your fence if you prefer.
Zaxk said: “Another plant that can keep birds away is the blackberry spike, and it’s not so much that they hate the berry or taste, it’s that the plant itself is spiky and is dangerous to a bird.”
He added: “Birds are not going to stay around where they feel unsafe or annoyed. With that in mind, planting blackberry spikes may be a good way to give birds a warning.”
Pigeons will instinctively know to keep away from daffodils (Image: Getty)
Toxic plants such as daffodils
One of the best plants to have in the garden to deter pigeons are daffodils, which may seem odd but they contain a poisonous chemical compound that birds know not to eat.
Zack said: “According to Colorado State University, daffodil stems, leaves, and bulbs contain a chemical called lycorine. This can be dangerous for a bird, and get this—birds instinctually already know this!
“With a bird’s awareness, planting daffodils will not only look beautiful in your backyard, but will keep birds and other pests away, as the sight of them merely means danger.”
Daffodils are often planted in autumn between September and November as the temperature cools enough to help them grow strong roots before the frosty winter weather arrives.
If pigeons continue to be an annoyance then now is the time to begin growing daffodils as not only will you have a beautiful display next year but will also have a natural deterrent that will hopefully keep these pesky birds away for good.
