How to Get Rid of Doves (7 Humane Methods That Work)

Doves, much like their close relatives pigeons, can become a real nuisance when they settle around your home. The constant cooing, bird droppings on your roof and balcony, and damage to your garden get old fast. These pest birds are persistent, but there are plenty of humane ways to deal with them.

This guide covers everything from removing what attracts them to installing physical barriers, using safe chemical repellents, and knowing when to call in bird control professionals. Whether they are landing on your balcony rails, nesting underneath your roof, or eating seeds in your garden, you will find a method that works.

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Why Do Doves Keep Coming to Your Property?

Mourning doves are creatures of habit. Once they find a reliable source of food and a safe place to nest, they will return day after day, year after year. They belong to the same family as pigeons (Columbidae), and they share many of the same behaviors that make both species such persistent pests.

These birds are drawn to areas with abundant seeds, water, and sheltered spots to perch and nest. Their preferred foods include millet, cracked corn, sunflower seeds, and bread crumbs. They will eat right off the ground, which means spilled birdseed under your feeders is basically a dinner invitation.

Mourning doves typically start nesting as early as March. They build loose nests of twigs on gutters, eaves, roof ledges, balcony rails, and even disused machinery. A single pair can lay eggs multiple times per year, which is why a small problem can quickly turn into a dove infestation.

Understanding what attracts them is the first step to getting rid of them. Once you cut off their food, block their landing and perching spots, and make your home less appealing, they will move on to easier territory.

How to Remove Food Sources That Attract Doves

The single most important step in any bird control plan is cutting off the food supply. If nothing is feeding them, they have no reason to stay.

Start by removing or modifying your bird feeders. Doves prefer to eat on the ground or on flat platform feeders. Switch to tube feeders, caged feeders, or peanut feeders that smaller birds can use but doves cannot. Offer foods that doves tend to avoid, like peanuts in the shell, suet, mealworms, and nectar.

Keep your yard clean. Rake up fallen seeds under feeders, pull weeds that produce seed, and use mulch or gravel to cover bare ground where they like to forage. Pick up fallen fruit from trees. Secure your trash so animals cannot scatter scraps.

If you still want to feed other birds, specialty feeders designed for finches or hummingbirds will attract the species you want without rolling out the welcome mat for pest birds like doves and pigeons.

Physical Barriers That Keep Doves Away

When food removal alone is not enough, physical barriers are your next line of defense. These methods stop doves from landing, perching, and nesting on your property.

Stainless steel bird spikes are one of the most popular solutions. Products like PAULINN Bird Spikes or Plastic Bird Deterrent Spikes attach to ledges, window sills, roof edges, balcony rails, and other flat surfaces where doves like to land. The spikes do not harm the birds. They simply make the surface uncomfortable so doves cannot perch or nest there.

Bird netting is ideal for covering larger areas. Options like KLEWEE Bird Netting, Bird B Gone Netting, StealthNet, or Knitted Bird Netting can be installed over gardens, patios, decks, balconies, rooftops, and barn openings. Secure the netting to walls or the ground with nails or staples. It takes some effort to install, but it is one of the most effective long term solutions.

Wire mesh works well for sealing specific openings. Galvanized wire mesh can cover vents, chimney openings, gaps in buildings, and other entry points where doves might try to nest. This is especially important in older homes with gaps under the roof line.

Visual and Sound Deterrents That Scare Doves

Visual and sound deterrents work by creating an environment that feels unsafe. Doves are cautious birds, and anything that mimics a predator or creates unexpected movement will make them think twice about landing.

Shiny objects and reflective tape are cheap and easy to set up. Hang strips of reflective tape, old CDs, or small mirrors near areas where doves land. The flashing light startles them. Move these around every few days so they do not get used to them.

A fake owl or hawk decoy placed near problem areas can scare doves away. Position it where it is visible from the air, and move it to a new spot every couple of days. A decoy that never moves stops working quickly because doves are intelligent birds and will figure out it is not real.

Ultrasonic sound devices emit high frequency sounds that are unpleasant to birds but inaudible to humans. These work best as a supplement to other methods. On their own, results vary, but combined with visual deterrents and physical barriers, they add another layer of discouragement.

Wind chimes also help. The noise and movement scare nearby doves, especially in quiet areas where they are used to feeling safe.

Chemical Repellents and Homemade Solutions

When physical barriers and deterrents are not enough on their own, chemical repellents can fill the gaps.

Bird repellent gel is a sticky substance you apply to ledges, rails, and other surfaces where doves perch. The sticky feel is unpleasant on their feet, and most products are non toxic. Gel is especially useful on balcony rails, window sills, and narrow ledges where spikes are not practical.

Commercially available bird repelling sprays use scents that mimic predators or create an irritating smell. They work for a limited time and need to be reapplied, especially after rain.

For a homemade approach, try these:

• Chili pepper spray: grind about 40 peppers, mix with a gallon of water, let it sit in the sun for a week, add vinegar, and spray
• Peppermint oil: mix a few drops with water in a spray bottle
• Garlic spray: crush garlic cloves, steep in water overnight, strain and spray
• Cinnamon: sprinkle ground cinnamon near nesting areas

These homemade solutions are safe for pets, plants, and other animals. Reapply them regularly, especially after rain.

How to Stop Doves From Coming Back

Getting rid of doves once is not the hard part. Keeping them gone is the real challenge. Here is how to prevent re-infestation.

Seal all entry points. Check your roof, chimney, walls, and buildings for openings. Even small gaps can become nesting spots. Use wire mesh or caulk to close them up.

Inspect your property regularly, especially from March through the summer months when nesting activity peaks. Look for twigs, droppings, and other signs of new nests. Remove nesting materials early before eggs are laid (check local laws first).

Keep combining methods. A single deterrent rarely works on its own because these birds adapt. The most effective approach uses two or three methods at the same time: remove their food, block their landing spots, and add a visual or sound deterrent.

Trim dense shrubs and trees near your house that provide cover. The less shelter available nearby, the less attractive your property becomes.

When to Call a Pest Control Professional

Most dove problems can be handled on your own. But there are situations where professional help makes sense.

Call a pest control professional if:

• The dove population is large and causing damage to your roof, balcony, or buildings
• Bird droppings are creating a health hazard (droppings can carry diseases that affect people’s health)
• You have tried multiple methods and they keep coming back
• You are unsure about local wildlife protection laws

Professionals can install commercial grade barriers, apply industrial repellent gel, and advise on long term bird control strategies. They also know the legal considerations in your area, which vary by state and city. Some species of doves are protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, so it is important to handle removal in ways that comply with the law.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best way to keep doves away?

The most effective way to keep doves away is by using physical barriers such as stainless steel spikes, predator decoys and reflective deterrents. Additionally, limiting access to food and water sources can also be beneficial.

How do I keep doves away from my house?

Block nesting areas and remove food sources. Use humane deterrents like bird spikes or reflective objects to discourage doves.

What smell keeps doves away?

Doves dislike strong scents like garlic, peppermint, or cinnamon. Use these scents in sprays to deter them.

How do I get rid of doves in the garden?

Eliminate food sources such as seeds. Install physical barriers like netting or spikes to keep them out of your garden.

What are mourning doves afraid of?

Mourning doves are afraid of predators like owls or hawks. Use realistic predator decoys or reflective objects to scare them away.

How do you get rid of doves but not other birds?

Discourage doves by offering foods they do not typically eat, like peanuts in the shell, bark butter, suet, mealworms, and nectar. Use tube feeders, caged feeders, or peanut feeders that smaller birds can access but doves cannot. A platform feeder with mealworms and berries will attract robins and other small birds while keeping doves away.

How can I remove food sources to keep doves away?

Remove bird feeders or switch to feeders that exclude larger birds. Keep your yard free of weeds and fallen seeds. Use mulch or gravel to cover bare ground where they forage.

What can I use to block potential nesting spots for doves?

Bird spikes, netting, and aggressive pruning are effective tools for blocking potential nesting spots.

When should I consider calling pest control professionals for dove removal?

If you cannot handle the infestation on your own, if it is severe, or if there are legal considerations involved, contact a pest control professional for help.

Summary

Getting rid of doves comes down to three things: cut off their food, block their favorite spots, and make your property feel unsafe to them. Start with the basics like cleaning up spilled seed and sealing nesting areas, then add deterrents as needed. Be patient and combine multiple methods for the best results. If the problem is beyond what you can handle, a pest control professional can step in with stronger solutions.