How you install a pigeon deterrent decides whether pigeons leave or come back within a week. Many people buy spikes or netting and install them wrongly, so pigeons find a gap to land in and carry on as before.
This article explains how to install spikes and netting step by step on windows, air conditioners, walls and balconies, with the tools you need and the mistakes that ruin an installation.
Before installing: clean the area
Pigeons return to places that carry the smell of their droppings and nests, so cleaning is essential, not optional:
- Wear a mask and gloves, because dry droppings release dust that can cause respiratory illness.
- Wet the droppings so the dust does not fly.
- Scrape them off and remove nests into sealed bags.
- Wash the area with soap and water, then with a disinfectant.
- Let the surface dry completely before installing, especially if you use adhesive.
Tools you need
- A tape measure and marker.
- A drill, screws and plastic wall plugs for concrete surfaces.
- Silicone or strong outdoor adhesive for surfaces you do not want to drill.
- Scissors or cutters to trim the spike base if needed.
- Gloves, because spike tips are sharp.
- For netting: stainless steel wire, tensioners and fixing rings.
Installing pigeon spikes step by step
- Measure the length of the ledge where pigeons land and work out how many pieces you need.
- Choose the fixing method: screws for concrete and wood, adhesive for marble, glass and metal.
- Place the first piece at the end, keeping the spikes only about 2 to 3 cm back from the outer edge.
- Continue piece after piece with no gaps, because any gap wider than 5 cm is enough for a pigeon to land.
- If the ledge is wider than one piece, install two parallel rows to cover the full width.
- Check they are secure once the adhesive has set or screws are tight, by moving each piece by hand.
Where to install spikes
- Window ledges on the outside, along the full width of the window.
- On top of outdoor AC units and along the edges of their brackets.
- Boundary walls and the tops of high walls.
- Cornices, signs and posts.
- Gutters and ledges above entrances.
Pigeons on the air conditioner: installing correctly
- Fit spikes on top of the AC unit across the whole top surface.
- Cover the front edge of the AC bracket if pigeons land there.
- If pigeons nest under the unit or between it and the wall, spikes are not enough; netting or blocking the gap is the solution.
- Do not block the AC vents or anything that stops air flowing out.
Installing pigeon netting step by step
Netting is the solution for balconies, light wells and under AC units, because it closes off the whole space instead of only stopping landing.
- Choose bird exclusion netting with a mesh of about 5 cm or smaller, made from UV-resistant material.
- Fit a stainless steel wire frame around the whole opening, fixed with screws every 50 to 60 cm.
- Tension the wire with tensioners until it is straight and firm.
- Attach the netting to the wire with fixing rings every 10 to 15 cm.
- Keep the netting taut with no slack, because loose netting can trap birds.
- Close all edges and make sure there is no opening a pigeon can get through.
- Add a zip or door if you need to reach the space later.
Mistakes that ruin the installation
- Gaps between spike pieces where pigeons can land.
- Installing spikes over droppings without cleaning, so pigeons return to the smell.
- Covering part of the ledge and leaving the rest.
- Using a catching net instead of an exclusion net; catching nets trap birds instead of keeping them out.
- Loose netting or open edges.
- Relying on scare decoys alone, because pigeons get used to them within days.
Spikes or netting?
- Spikes: for narrow ledges and surfaces where pigeons land, such as windows, AC tops and walls.
- Netting: for spaces where pigeons nest, such as balconies, light wells and under AC units.
- Most homes need both, each in its place.
Products from Orkida
Pigeon deterrent installation FAQs
How many spike pieces do I need?
Measure the length in centimetres and divide by the piece length. For example, a 180 cm window ledge needs 3 pieces of 60 cm, and a wide ledge needs two rows.
Do spikes hurt pigeons?
No, the tips do not injure birds; they simply make the spot unsuitable for landing, so the pigeon moves elsewhere.
Can I install spikes without a drill?
Yes, on marble, glass and metal you can use strong outdoor adhesive, as long as the surface is completely clean and dry.
When will pigeons stop coming after installation?
Usually within a few days to two weeks, if the installation is complete with no gaps and the area is clean of droppings.