When I moved into my sixth-floor unit in 2021, the balcony was basically a pigeon resort. The previous owner never used it, and the birds had taken full control. But I love summer lounging, so I was determined to win it back.

After some deep dives into pigeon psychology (yes, that’s a thing), I came up with a simple yet effective system that’s kept my balcony bird-free for four glorious summers — no nets required!

The star of the show is the Pigeon Wires — two thin, taut airplane cables that hover above the retaining wall, running the full length.

Why does this work? Pigeons perch where they can scan for predators (like hawks) before they nest. Unfortunately, our baloncy wall makes the perfect lookout. But with the Pigeon Wires in place, they can’t get a stable perch. They’ll try balancing on the wire (wobble wobble), or do a one-claw-on-the-wall, one-claw-on-the-wire move — until they give up and fly off in a huff. Bonus: the wires are barely visible, so you still get that clear, open view.

My secondary defence? Spiked mats under furniture.

Pigeons build lousy nests and prefer enclosed spots for safety — like under tables and chairs. These mats (available at Dollarama or any hardware store) make nesting impossible, so they move on.

Between the Pigeon Wires and spiked mats, I’ve reclaimed my balcony and enjoyed every summer since. If you’re handy, you can DIY. If not, I install the Pigeon Wires for $180 (short balcony) or $210 (long balcony) — all in.

Your neighbour,
Franco