BIRD CONTROL

Pigeon and Bird Control in Toronto, Mississauga & Oakville

Balcony netting, bird spikes and ledge guards that keep pigeons off

Pigeon control in Toronto, Mississauga and Oakville means taking away the places pigeons land and nest. They pick sheltered, raised flat spots such as condo balconies, ledges and rooftops. We clear out nests once any young have left, then fit bird netting, spikes or sloped flashing so they can't settle again. We also deal with sparrows, starlings, woodpeckers, gulls and Canada geese, within what the law allows for each.

Twigs, straw or leaves gathering in a balcony corner can be the start of a pigeon nest. Mississauga's advice is to check the balcony every day and clear nesting material right away.

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AT A GLANCE

Pigeons at a Glance

Rock pigeon, the common city pigeon

Size: 30 to 36 cm long, 265 to 380 g
Colour: Usually blue-grey; some white, rusty or dark grey
Body: Plump, small head, short legs, thin straight bill
How to tell: Two black wing bars and a dark band at the tail tip
Where found: Balconies, ledges, rooftops, eaves, gutters, under bridges
Health risks: The health concern is droppings build-ups, when disturbed

WHAT TO LOOK FOR

Signs of Pigeons and Other Nuisance Birds

If you’ve noticed any of these, call and a licensed technician will tell you what it points to.

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Twigs, straw and stems collecting in a balcony corner, behind planters or on a ledge
Droppings building up on railings, ledges and the balcony floor
Pigeons perching on railings and roof edges, or walking the balcony with heads bobbing
Cooing from the same ledge or corner, where a male is claiming a nest site
Small birds flying in and out of a vent, a sign or a light fixture
Fresh holes in siding, trim or chimney flashing, which point to woodpeckers

Live in a Condo?

The Condominium Authority of Ontario names balconies as the most common exclusive-use common element: the corporation owns it and you have sole use of it. Most owner changes to common elements need board approval and a section 98 agreement, so check with your board or property manager before netting or spikes go up. If pigeons are already nesting, Mississauga advises telling building management right away.

Condominium Authority of Ontario: common elements

IDENTIFICATION

How to Identify a Pigeon

Rock pigeons are plump birds with a small head, short legs and a thin, straight bill. Most are blue-grey, with two black bars on each wing and a broad dark band at the tip of a wide, rounded tail, though some are white, rusty or dark grey. The look-alike to rule out is the mourning dove: smaller and slimmer, buffy tan, with black spots on the wings and a long, pointed tail. The difference matters. Mourning doves are on the federal list of protected birds and rock pigeons are not, so a balcony nest gets identified before anyone touches it.

Pigeon vs mourning dove: a dove weighs 86 to 170 g and has a long pointed tail; a pigeon weighs 265 to 380 g and has a wide, rounded tail.
Pigeon vs starling: starlings are blackbird-sized with a short tail and a long, slender bill, and they nest inside cavities such as vents, not on open ledges.

TYPES

Six Nuisance Birds in the GTA and What the Law Allows

Rock pigeon
Columba livia
Plump and small-headed, usually blue-grey with two black wing bars and a dark tail band. Walks and runs with its head moving back and forth.
Where found: Condo and apartment balconies, building and window ledges, rooftops, eaves, rain gutters and under bridges.
Not on the federal list of protected birds. Oakville bans feeding them, and Mississauga bans feeding wild animals and says pigeon poison is illegal.
House sparrow
Passer domesticus
Small, chunky and round-headed with a stout bill. Breeding males have a grey crown, white cheeks and a black bib; females are plain buffy brown.
Where found: Holes in buildings, signs, streetlights and gas-station roofs, with the nest stuffed in until the hole is nearly full.
Not federally protected. Ontario lets you remove house sparrow nests and eggs without approval; we wait until any young have left, then close the hole.
European starling
Sturnus vulgaris
Blackbird-sized with a short tail and a long, slender bill. Dark and glossy purple-green in the breeding season, spotted on the back and belly the rest of the year.
Where found: Cavities in buildings, often reached through dryer, range and bathroom vents or gaps around roofs and walls.
Not federally protected, and Ontario lets you remove starling nests. Before chimney work, check for chimney swifts, which are federally protected and a species at risk in Ontario.
Woodpeckers
Downy and hairy woodpeckers are black and white, and the hairy is the larger one with a much longer bill. Flickers have a black bib and a spotted belly. The pileated is nearly crow-sized with a red crest.
Where found: Drilling siding, trim, metal gutters and chimney flashing, especially unpainted or dark-stained cedar.
Federally protected. A pileated woodpecker nest stays protected even when empty, and the red-headed woodpecker is a species at risk in Ontario.
Gulls
Ring-billed gulls have a black band across a yellow bill and yellow legs. American herring gulls are large and barrel-chested, with pink legs.
Where found: Parking lots, light poles near plazas and fast-food restaurants, and large flat roofs such as warehouses and car dealerships.
Federally protected, and covered by Ontario's ban on hunting or trapping wild birds. Deterrents go in before nests appear.
Canada goose
Branta canadensis
Large and brown with a long black neck, a white chinstrap and a paler chest.
Where found: Mown lawns that run down to ponds and lakes, and also parking lots, rooftops and apartment balconies.
Federally protected. We don't move geese or touch their eggs; destroying eggs needs a Canadian Wildlife Service permit.

OUR APPROACH

How Our Pigeon Control Works

Step 1
Identify the Bird
We start by naming the bird, because the law depends on it. Rock pigeons, house sparrows and starlings are not on the federal list of protected birds; mourning doves, woodpeckers, gulls and Canada geese are. We look for eggs or young in every nest, and on a condo balcony the board or property manager has to approve the work first, as it does most changes to common elements.
Step 2
Clear Nests at the Right Time
Pigeon, sparrow and starling nests come out once any young have left: pigeon young stay in the nest 25 to 32 days, starlings about three weeks. Ontario advises removing pigeon nests each time they appear, since pigeons leave an area after several failed tries at building. Nests of protected birds stay untouched while they hold eggs or young.
Step 3
Fit the Right Barrier
On a balcony, bird netting across the open side keeps pigeons from landing or nesting anywhere on it. On railings, ledges and sign tops, we fit bird spikes or flashing sloped at 45 degrees so there is no flat spot to stand on. Spikes suit narrow ledges, not large areas. Vents get a guard that stops birds but still lets air and lint out.
Step 4
Keep the Spot Unattractive
Netting needs checking so any gap gets repaired and no bird gets caught in it. Pigeons move in where they find food, water and space to nest, so keep the balcony clear of clutter, store garbage in sealed containers and stop any feeding nearby.

HEALTH RISKS

Are Pigeon Droppings Dangerous?

Large build-ups can be. Droppings from pigeons and starlings support the growth of Histoplasma, a fungus that infects people who breathe in its spores, and disturbing bird droppings raises that risk. Many infections cause mild symptoms or none, but a weakened immune system raises the risk of illness. Cryptococcus, another fungus found in bird droppings, pigeon droppings included, mostly causes illness in people with weakened immune systems. Before cleaning a build-up, the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) advises wetting it down to keep the dust down and wearing gloves, coveralls and a respirator with a HEPA filter. Symptoms such as fever, chills, headache, dry cough or chest pain can show up 5 to 18 days after exposure. If they do, see a doctor or call Health811 at 811 to talk to a registered nurse.

RISKS AND DAMAGE

What Damage Can Pigeons and Other Birds Cause?

Pigeons reuse their nests many times and don't carry away their nestlings' droppings, so a nest left in place grows into a hard mound of sticks and feces, sometimes with unhatched eggs in it. A pair can raise up to six broods a year, and Mississauga calls pigeon nests on balconies and rooftops unsanitary. Other birds cause other trouble.

House sparrows pack holes in signs, streetlights and light fixtures with nesting material.
Starlings nest behind dryer, range and bathroom vents.
Woodpeckers drill siding, trim, gutters and chimney flashing, most in spring.
Nesting gulls on flat roofs can be aggressive toward anyone on the roof, HVAC technicians included.
Canada geese foul docks, paths and lawns, and nesting pairs can charge, bite or strike with their wings.

A pigeon passing through is a nuisance; a nest, a droppings build-up or birds in a vent is the point to call, because the same spot gets used again until it is blocked.

CAUSES

Why Pigeons Pick Your Balcony or Building

Pigeons move in where they find food, water and space for nesting, and they look for sheltered, raised flat surfaces like balconies and rooftops. Boxes, spare furniture and planters give them corners to build behind, and a ledge under an overhang gives them cover. Food left by people, from bread crumbs to littered scraps, keeps a flock coming back.

What Draws Them In

Food left out on purpose or dropped as litter
Garbage not stored indoors or in sealed containers
Clutter, boxes and spare furniture on a balcony
Sheltered ledges and spots under eaves or overhangs
People feeding birds nearby, in parks or from balconies
Mown lawns that run down to water, for Canada geese

How They Get In

Dryer, range and bathroom vents with no guard (starlings)
Holes in signs, streetlights and light fixtures (sparrows)
Gaps around roofs and walls (starlings)
Eavestroughs and rain gutters full of debris (pigeons and other birds)

HABITS

Pigeon Life Cycle and Habits

Habitat

Rock pigeons were brought to North America from Europe in the early 1600s and now live in towns, cities and farmland. In the city they nest on buildings and window ledges, under bridges, beneath eaves and overhangs, in stairwells and in rain gutters, and they gather in large flocks in parks where people feed them.

Diet

Mostly seeds and fruit, and rarely insects or other small invertebrates. Pigeons readily eat food people leave for them or drop, from bread crumbs to littered scraps. Oakville bans feeding them, and Toronto's parks by-law bans feeding birds in parks.

Life Cycle

The male picks the nest site and coos there to attract a mate. The female builds a flimsy platform of straw, stems and sticks that he brings her one piece at a time, and lays 1 to 3 white eggs. Both parents take turns on the eggs for 18 days, and the young stay in the nest 25 to 32 days. A pair can raise up to six broods a year in the same reused nest, which is why removing nests each time works: Ontario notes pigeons leave an area after several failed attempts at nest building.

Seasonal Behaviour in Ontario

Each bird has its own calendar. Canada geese can pick a nest site as early as February and pair up by early to mid-March in southern Ontario. Gulls set up territories by mid to late March or early April, so roof deterrents go in before then. Woodpeckers drill most in spring and again in fall, when holes can become winter roosts. Starlings form very large flocks in winter. Pigeons raise several broods a year, so a cleared balcony can be claimed again later in the year.

PREVENTION

How to Keep Pigeons Off Your Balcony

Check the balcony every day for twigs and leaves and clear them right away; have someone check while you're away.
Keep the balcony clear of debris, clutter and spare furniture so there is no sheltered corner to nest in.
Store garbage indoors or in sealed containers, and keep lids on outdoor bins tightly closed.
Don't feed pigeons, gulls or geese, and ask neighbours not to: Oakville bans it and Mississauga bans feeding wild animals.
Fix tin flashing at 45 degrees along railings and ledges, or run filament line 5 cm (two inches) above a ledge to stop perching.
Leave commercial spike strips, also called porcupine wire, to a professional installer, as Mississauga advises.
Clean out eavestroughs regularly, and keep outdoor light fixtures in good repair and sealed.
Fit dryer vents with a guard that keeps air flowing; never cover a dryer vent with a plain screen.
Don't count on smell-based repellents or plastic owls: Mississauga says odour deterrents don't work well on birds, and model owls usually fail against woodpeckers.

How to Get Rid of Pigeons: DIY or a Professional?

On your own balcony you can do a lot: clear nesting material daily, remove clutter, stop any feeding and fix flashing along the railings. In a condo, check with the board first. Never put out poison: Mississauga says pigeon poison is illegal because it can harm protected birds such as songbirds, and noise deterrents may break the rules if they disturb neighbours.

Call when pigeons are nesting on a ledge, sign or roof you can't easily reach.
Call when the whole balcony needs netting, or spikes keep failing.
Call when birds are nesting in a vent or a sign box.
Call when the bird is a woodpecker, gull or Canada goose, since federal rules decide what can be done.

Pigeons on Your Balcony: Netting, Spikes and Condo Rules

Balcony pigeon netting and bird spikes do different jobs. Netting stretched across the open side keeps pigeons off the whole balcony, floor and corners included. Spikes guard a line, such as a railing top or a ledge, and federal guidance on anti-perch systems says they are not practical for large areas. Netting also needs looking after: gaps get repaired and any bird caught in it gets freed.

Bird netting: for the whole balcony, when pigeons nest on the floor, in corners or behind planters.
Bird spikes or 45 degree flashing: for railing tops and ledges where pigeons perch.
Filament line 5 cm above a ledge: a light option for perching birds.
Condo approval first: most changes to common elements need the board's sign-off.

Bird Control for Commercial Ledges, Signs and Roofs

Commercial buildings offer birds ledges, flat roofs, signs and light fixtures. Pigeons nest on building and window ledges, house sparrows push their nests into holes in signs and streetlights, and gulls nest on large flat roofs such as warehouses and car dealerships. We fit spikes or sloped flashing to ledges and sign tops, close openings in signs and fixtures once the nests are empty, and on gull roofs put up tensioned wire grids and netting over HVAC units before nests appear.

Federal guidance is to service HVAC units before the nesting season, because gulls nesting on a roof can be aggressive.

What the Law Allows for Each Bird

The federal Migratory Birds Convention Act covers woodpeckers, gulls, Canada geese and mourning doves, but not rock pigeons, house sparrows or starlings. Without a permit, no one may kill a protected bird, take its eggs or disturb a nest holding a live bird or a viable egg. An empty nest of most species can be removed, but a pileated woodpecker nest stays protected until 36 months after written notice to the federal minister, with no use in that time. Ontario also bans hunting or trapping woodpeckers and gulls, and lets you remove house sparrow and starling nests and eggs. Damage or Danger permits go to the person who owns, leases or manages the land, never to a company, so our work on protected birds is limited to deterrents, exclusion and repairs that need no permit. Rules change: check the federal and Ontario pages under Sources before acting.

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COMMON QUESTIONS

Pigeon and Bird Control: Questions We Get

How do I get rid of pigeons on my balcony?

Take away the nest site and the reasons to stay: clear twigs and leaves daily, move out clutter, seal the garbage and stop any feeding. If pigeons keep coming back or are already nesting, netting across the balcony covers the whole space. In a condo, get the board's approval before anything is attached.

Is it legal to remove a pigeon or bird nest in Ontario?

For house sparrows and starlings, yes: Ontario law lets you remove their nests and eggs. Rock pigeons aren't on the federal list of protected birds, and Ontario's own advice is to keep removing pigeon nests. Make sure of the bird first: mourning dove, woodpecker, gull and goose nests can't be touched while they hold a live bird or viable egg, and pileated woodpecker nests stay protected even when empty.

How do I get a bird's nest out of a dryer vent?

Find out which bird it is first. If starlings have young, Ontario's advice is to wait until they can fly, then take out all the nesting material and close the opening. On a dryer vent, close it with a guard that lets air and lint out, never a plain screen: trapped lint can start a fire.

What should I do if a pigeon gets inside my home?

Turn off the lights inside and open the windows and outside doors; Ontario says the bird should then leave on its own. If it doesn't, guide it toward an exit with a broom or a long pole with a T-shirt on the end.

How do I stop woodpeckers pecking my house?

Don't harm them or disturb an active nest: woodpeckers are federally protected. Once no nest or roosting bird is in use, cover fresh holes promptly with sheet metal or fine hardware cloth, and hang bird netting from the eaves angled back to the siding below the damage. Leave pileated woodpecker holes alone. Plastic owls usually don't work.

Do you remove Canada geese or gulls?

No. Both are federally protected, and destroying eggs, moving an active nest or removing the birds needs a federal permit issued to the property owner or manager. Our work is deterrents that need no permit: spikes, wire grids and HVAC netting on gull roofs before nests appear, and wire or rope grids 30 to 50 cm above ponds or new plantings for geese, starting as early as February.

Is it illegal to feed pigeons or geese?

In Oakville, yes: feeding any bird other than songbirds and hummingbirds is banned, with fines of $300 to $500. Mississauga bans feeding wild animals and counts pigeons among its wild birds. Toronto bans feeding wildlife, and its parks by-law bans feeding birds in parks.

Sources

Last reviewed October 2026

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Pigeon and Bird Control Across Toronto, Oakville & the GTA

We keep birds off balconies, ledges, signs and roofs throughout Toronto and Southern Ontario.

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