Pigeons are very dependent on humans for food provision and places to nest.
Pigeons feed mostly on grains and seeds. They also feed on garbage, manure, insects, or any other foods provided by people. Pigeon droppings accelerate building deterioration increasing maintenance costs, aside from being visually displeasing.
Pigeons can carry and transmit diseases to humans and animals through their droppings. The best known are: salmonellosis, colibacillosis and histoplasmosis, encephalitis, Newcastle disease, cryptococcosis, toxoplasmosis, etc.
The removal of the food and water supplies, and nesting sites are important in controlling pigeons long term. It is important to discourage people from feeding pigeons in public areas. It is also important to eliminate pools of stagnant water that pigeons use for bathing or drinking.