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Bird control is about exclusion, not killing. A wildlife removal company identifies the species, checks whether an active nest is protected under federal law, waits or works around it when required, then installs netting, spikes, vent covers or screening so the birds can't come back. Cleaning up droppings follows its own safety precautions.
This page covers where birds nest on homes, the federal rules on migratory bird nests, humane exclusion methods, droppings cleanup and health risks, and pigeon problems on condo balconies.
Where birds nest on houses: vents, soffits, balconies and chimneys
Birds look for sheltered, elevated spots close to food, and houses offer plenty of them. Health Canada notes that pigeons tend to breed and roost in groups, favouring flat roofs, ledges and rooftop air conditioners. These are the usual trouble spots.
- Dryer, bathroom and kitchen exhaust vents: small birds build inside the duct or behind the flap, blocking airflow.
- Soffits and fascia: a gap, a missing vent cover or a loose panel gives access to the attic or the space behind the eavestrough.
- Balconies: pigeons nest behind planters, under air conditioners and in corners, and droppings pile up on railings, floors and the balconies below.
- Chimneys: an uncapped flue can attract nesting or roosting birds, some of them protected species, and the debris can obstruct venting.
- Ledges, signs and light fixtures: any surface wide enough to perch on can become a roost.
- Attics: droppings and nesting material accumulate wherever birds get in, and the mess grows each season.
Migratory bird nests and the law: which nests are protected
Environment and Climate Change Canada explains that, under the Migratory Birds Regulations, 2022, it is prohibited to damage, destroy, disturb or remove a migratory bird nest when it contains a live bird or viable egg. Empty nests of most species may be removed without notification or a permit. The exception is Schedule 1, which lists 18 species, such as the great blue heron and the pileated woodpecker, whose nests stay protected year-round until they have gone unoccupied long enough to be deemed abandoned.
Not every bird is covered. The Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994 protects birds named in the Convention that are native or naturally occurring in Canada and occur here regularly. The rock pigeon, the familiar city pigeon, doesn't appear on ECCC's list of protected birds, and the families that include starlings and house sparrows are listed among those the Convention doesn't cover, though ECCC notes such birds may be protected under other laws, including provincial and territorial ones. Mourning doves and Eurasian collared-doves are on the protected list, so identify a nest before touching it.
In practice, a reputable company confirms the species first, leaves an active protected nest alone until the young have left, and schedules exclusion work for when nests are empty.
Humane bird exclusion: netting, spikes, vent covers and screening
The goal is to make a spot unusable without harming the birds. Health Canada's pigeon advice includes screening off water sources, hanging fine netting across the front of a balcony, using bristling wires, also called porcupine wires, and removing roosting niches and sealing crevices, large openings and entrances in high areas. It notes that bird repellents and toxicants are generally sold for commercial or restricted use by qualified professionals.
- Bird netting: encloses a balcony, recess or overhang, installed taut and complete so birds can't slip behind it and get trapped.
- Spikes and bristling wire: fixed along ledges, railings, signs and rooflines to stop perching without injuring birds.
- Vent covers: metal guards on exhaust vents that keep birds out while letting air through; fine screens that clog with lint are the wrong choice for a dryer vent.
- Soffit and roofline repair: loose panels replaced and gaps closed once any nest inside is confirmed empty.
- Chimney caps: a screened cap keeps birds out of the flue for good.
- No food: Health Canada advises never leaving food out where pigeons can get it, which includes spilled seed under feeders and pet food on balconies.
Cleaning up pigeon droppings safely: histoplasmosis precautions
Health Canada calls the amount of droppings pigeons produce the biggest problem they cause. It explains that histoplasmosis is a disease caused by a fungus that grows in pigeon droppings; most infections have no symptoms or appear as a mild respiratory illness, people with weakened immune systems are generally more at risk, and the disease can't be passed from person to person. The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) adds that droppings from pigeons, starlings, blackbirds and bats support the fungus, and that people are infected by breathing in its spores.
- Don't dry-sweep, scrape or vacuum dry droppings, which puts dust in the air.
- Wet the area first: CCOHS advises spraying with water to reduce dust before cleaning.
- Wear gloves and coveralls or clothing you can wash right away; for heavy contamination, CCOHS calls for a respirator with a HEPA filter.
- Bag the waste, close the bag and wash your hands and face afterwards.
- Leave large accumulations, attics and other enclosed spaces to a professional crew, especially if anyone in the home has a weakened immune system.
- See a doctor about fever, chills, a dry cough or chest pain after a cleanup, and mention the exposure; CCOHS says symptoms typically appear 5 to 18 days after exposure.
Bird nesting season: timing exclusion work
Most birds nest in spring and summer, which is also when owners notice them. Because an active migratory bird nest can't be disturbed, the best time for exclusion is before nesting starts or after the young have left: covering vents, capping chimneys and netting balconies in fall or early spring keeps birds from settling in the first place.
Pigeons follow a different rhythm and can nest through much of the year, so on buildings with a pigeon problem the work is usually scheduled around the nests present at the time rather than the season.
Pigeons on condo balconies: what owners can do vs what needs board approval
In a condo, the balcony is often a common area reserved for one unit's use rather than private property, and the façade is managed by the condo board, called the syndicate of co-owners in Quebec. That changes who decides.
- Usually fine without approval: removing food, water and clutter, cleaning droppings safely, and keeping planters and stored items from creating sheltered corners.
- Usually needs approval: netting, spikes or anything drilled or fastened into concrete, railings or cladding, since the declaration and building rules often govern the exterior's appearance and structure.
- Ask first: the board or property manager may already have a contractor or a building-wide program, and a single netted balcony tends to push pigeons onto the neighbours' balconies.
- Tenants: ask the landlord or property manager, who handles work on the building.
- Get approval in writing before any installation, and keep it with your unit records.
Birds & Pigeons: frequently asked questions
Can I remove a bird's nest from my dryer vent?
If it's empty and not from one of the few Schedule 1 species, ECCC says it can be removed without a permit. If it holds eggs or young of a migratory bird, it's protected until they've left. Wait, then have the vent cleaned and fitted with a proper cover, calling a pro if it's hard to reach.
Are pigeons protected in Canada?
The rock pigeon, the common city pigeon, isn't on ECCC's list of birds protected under the Migratory Birds Convention Act. Other laws may still apply, and humane methods are the norm. Doves such as the mourning dove are protected, so check before touching a nest.
Are pigeon droppings dangerous?
They can be. Health Canada notes that histoplasmosis is caused by a fungus that grows in pigeon droppings. Most infections are mild or symptomless, but people with weakened immune systems are more at risk. Wet droppings before cleaning, avoid raising dust and leave large accumulations to professionals.
Do bird spikes hurt birds?
Properly installed spikes and bristling wire don't pierce birds; they make a ledge too awkward to land on. Netting should be kept taut and checked regularly, since loose or torn netting can entangle birds.
Sources
Written by the LokalMatch editorial team. Reviewed by Zubair Afzal on September 10, 2026. How we write and check our guides