How to Get Rid of Mourning Doves: A Comprehensive Guide

Mourning doves, with their gentle cooing, can quickly become a nuisance. These birds can be attracted to your property by available food sources, nesting spots, and even water features. While they may seem harmless, mourning doves can be destructive, leaving behind droppings, damaging gardens, and spreading diseases. If you’re looking for effective ways to how to get rid of mourning doves, this comprehensive guide will provide you with the solutions you need.

Understanding Mourning Dove Behavior

Before tackling dove control, it’s crucial to understand their behavior. Mourning doves are attracted to:

  • Food sources: Seeds, grains, and fruits are their favorites. They’ll readily feast on birdseed, spilled pet food, or even ripe fruit on your trees.
  • Nesting sites: They prefer sheltered spots like eaves, balconies, or under shrubs. These areas provide protection from predators and elements.
  • Water sources: Birdbaths and fountains are a major draw for mourning doves.

Effective Methods to Get Rid of Mourning Doves

Here are some practical methods to deter mourning doves and minimize their presence on your property:

1. Remove Food Sources

  • Secure birdseed: Use feeders with squirrel-proof baffles or switch to smaller seeds that doves don’t prefer (like safflower seeds).
  • Clean up spills: Regularly sweep patios and walkways to remove any fallen food.
  • Harvest ripe fruit: Promptly collect fallen fruit from trees to prevent doves from feasting on them.
  • Feed pets indoors: Avoid leaving pet food outside, especially in areas accessible to doves.

2. Modify Nesting Sites

  • Seal potential nesting areas: Patch up holes or gaps in eaves, balconies, and under shrubs where doves might nest.
  • Trim back overhanging branches: This will make your home less appealing as a nesting spot.
  • Use netting: Cover areas where doves like to roost, such as your balcony or garden, with bird netting.

3. Deterrents

  • Motion-activated sprinklers: Set these up to scare away doves when they approach your property.
  • Predator decoys: Use hawk or owl decoys to create a visual threat, but remember, doves will eventually become accustomed to them.
  • Reflective tape: Hang strips of reflective tape near potential nesting sites or areas where doves gather. The movement and glare will deter them.
  • Sound deterrents: There are electronic sound devices that emit sounds that are unpleasant to doves, but be mindful of any potential impact on other birds.

4. Eliminate Water Sources

  • Limit birdbaths: If you have a birdbath, consider filling it only for short periods and changing the water frequently to make it less attractive to doves.
  • Cover fountains: If you have a fountain that you want to keep running, consider covering it with a mesh screen to prevent doves from drinking from it.

Preventing Mourning Dove Problems

The best way to how to get rid of mourning doves is to make your property less inviting in the first place. Here are some proactive steps:

  • Choose dove-resistant plants: Plant varieties that doves are less likely to eat, such as herbs, vegetables with strong flavors, or plants with thorny stems.
  • Keep your property clean: Regularly remove any fallen fruit, branches, or debris that could provide nesting materials or hiding spots for doves.

Conclusion

Dealing with mourning doves can be challenging, but by understanding their behavior and implementing effective deterrents, you can minimize their presence and protect your property. Remember, it’s important to use humane methods that don’t harm the birds while still achieving your desired results. By being consistent with your efforts, you can create a more dove-free environment.

Article By Fr4nk