A market square full of ledges and cornices is a gift to pigeons. Proofing is the way to take back a roof, a doorway or a loading bay in Newark-on-Trent.
Newark-on-Trent is a historic market town on the River Trent, with Newark Castle, a large market square and older town-centre property alongside later housing. Older buildings often have projecting stonework, window heads, parapets and deep sills that match the perches pigeons look for. Waterside and market areas also give them a steady supply of food scraps, so the birds have little reason to leave.
Feral pigeons roost and nest in the same spot year after year. Droppings pile up, gutters clog and the smell draws new birds. Once a roost is established, deterrents that rely on fear, such as hawk silhouettes and noise, lose their effect quickly. Pigeons are intelligent and quickly learn what is harmless.
Proofing stops a bird landing or entering. It does not need to harm anything. The method is chosen for the building, its appearance and its use.
On historic or listed property, the visual impact and the fixing method matter. Fixings should be made into mortar joints rather than stone, where possible, and consent may be needed for some buildings. It is worth checking before work is planned.
Droppings should be cleared before proofing goes in, using protective equipment and careful methods to avoid dust. Old nesting material attracts mites and encourages return visits. Wild birds are protected, and while feral pigeons can be controlled, nests with eggs or young are subject to rules. We will explain the position for your property and plan the work lawfully and humanely.
Proofing works well when food is not available nearby. Businesses can help by keeping bins closed, sweeping up food waste and asking staff and customers not to feed birds. If you manage several units, coordinate with neighbours, because birds will move to the nearest unproofed ledge.
Market days and events bring crowds and plenty of dropped food, so pigeons can be at their most active around the square. If you run a business there, a short list of habits helps: sweep outside the door daily, keep bins lidded and report neighbours who feed birds. These steps will not remove an established roost, but they take away the incentive for more birds to join it while proofing is arranged.
Tell us about the building and what you can see, and we will survey and advise. Fixed cost pricing means you know the cost before work begins. Call 0115 937 5117 to arrange a visit.
Yes, if the method is chosen with care. Fixings may need to avoid stone, and some work may need consent. Discuss the building status before any installation.
Good quality materials fitted properly can last for years. Netting and wire need an occasional check for damage, especially after storms, so that gaps do not reopen.
Tell us what you have seen and where, and we will come back to you. Prices are fixed and there is no call-out charge.
