Pigeons

Pigeon droppings are a genuine health hazard, not just a cosmetic nuisance. Dried droppings can harbour several pathogens, the most significant being Histoplasma capsulatum (the fungus responsible for histoplasmosis, a respiratory illness) and Cryptococcus neoformans (a fungus linked to meningitis in immunocompromised individuals). When droppings dry out and become airborne dust – through sweeping, HVAC systems, or foot traffic – those spores can be inhaled.

Pigeon droppings are also highly acidic and will erode roofing materials, stone, metal, and painted surfaces over time. For commercial properties and condo buildings in Oshawa, Whitby, Pickering, and Ajax – where pigeon flocks congregate on rooftops and loading areas – the accumulation can be significant. If you’re dealing with an established pigeon presence on your property, proper cleanup should be handled with appropriate respiratory protection, or by a professional. Contact Affordable Pest Control for a free assessment and quote.

Effective pigeon control is about making a property structurally inhospitable – deterrents that work long-term focus on removing or blocking the surfaces pigeons prefer for roosting and nesting. At Affordable Pest Control, we use a combination of approaches depending on your specific property:

• Exclusion netting – seals off open eaves, gaps in soffits, and enclosed rooftop spaces where pigeons nest
• Anti-roosting spikes – installed on ledges, parapets, and rooflines to prevent landing
• Screening and wire mesh – used to block structural cavities, particularly in older commercial and residential buildings
• Angled surfaces – applied to flat ledges to physically prevent pigeons from perching

We serve residential and commercial properties across Durham and York Region, from Oshawa and Pickering to Markham, Vaughan, Thornhill, and Richmond Hill. All screening work comes with a one-year warranty, and every pigeon removal job includes a spray treatment for bird mites, ticks, and fleas by a licensed technician – a service we’re one of the only companies in Durham Region to offer.

Both – and interior nesting is often the more serious problem. Pigeons prefer sheltered, wind-protected areas, which means open soffits, attic vents, gaps in commercial HVAC units, and enclosed eave spaces are all attractive nesting sites. In dense urban areas like downtown Oshawa or commercial strips in Markham and Vaughan, we regularly find pigeons nesting deep inside building cavities rather than just on exterior ledges.

Interior nests concentrate droppings, feathers, parasites, and the pathogens associated with them in an enclosed space – making them a more significant health and structural concern than open-air roosting. They also attract secondary pests: bird mites and fleas that can move from a nest into the living or working areas of a building once the birds are removed. Our post-removal spray treatment addresses exactly this, and it’s included at no extra cost for all pigeon removal customers across our Durham and York Region service area.

Yes, removal is fully legal. The rock pigeon (Columbia livia) – the common urban pigeon – is not native to Canada and is not protected under the federal Migratory Birds Convention Act, which covers native migratory bird species. As an introduced species, pigeons can be legally deterred, excluded, and removed from private property without a special permit.

That said, removal methods must still be humane, and some municipalities in Durham Region and York Region – including those in Oshawa, Ajax, Pickering, Newmarket, and Vaughan – may have specific local bylaws that govern wildlife control methods. Our licensed technicians are familiar with applicable regulations across all of our service areas and handle every job in full compliance. If you’re a property manager or business owner in Durham or York Region dealing with a pigeon problem, contact us for a professional assessment.

Pigeon control pricing depends on the scope of the problem: the number of roosting or nesting sites, the height and accessibility of the affected areas, the type of deterrents required, and whether cleanup is needed. A single ledge above a residential window in Whitby is a much simpler job than a flat commercial rooftop in Oshawa or Markham with an established flock and years of droppings accumulation.

Because of that variability, we offer free, no-obligation quotes to homeowners and businesses throughout Durham and York Region, including Ajax, Pickering, Bowmanville, Courtice, Brooklin, Stouffville, Richmond Hill, Thornhill, Woodbridge, Maple, and everywhere in between. Call us at (905) 425-0589 or (647) 966-3742, available 7 days a week from 7 AM to 11 PM. We’ll give you an honest assessment and clear pricing before any work begins.