Q: I have a large apartment community that has become the nesting place for several groups of pigeons. I have used owls, the high pitch sound and sticky feet; of course, the entire place is covered with metal spike strips. The pigeons walk through them and build their nests on top of the bent down spikes. What can I do to get rid of the pigeons?
A: Looks like you have tried most of the common antidotes for getting rid of unwanted pigeons. The key is to make them as uncomfortable as possible and not stop until they are gone. The first thing to do is clean the area with bleach to remove any pigeon nesting smells and spray any stubborn pigeons with a water hose over and over. If the area lends itself to be closed off, put up netting to keep the birds from entering the area. If the spikes are broken, replace them with stronger ones. Check at your local farm supply or the internet for stronger, better quality spike strips. Getting rid of pigeons is a war of wills. If you give up, they will return. The area must be monitored constantly until the birds have found a new nesting area.
Q: When the bathroom faucet was new, turning off the hot- or cold-water knobs would cut the flow of water immediately. Two years later, upon turning them off, the faucet weeps a bit of water. Is this a sign the knob isn’t working? Can a clogged spout screen be fixed? With all these problems, do I need to buy an entirely new fixture?
A: Most types of faucets are repairable with standard tools and a rebuild kit. Note the brand and style of the faucet and find a corresponding repair kit at the local plumbing supply house or home improvement center. Repair kits often come with the specialized tool you may need to repair the faucet. The faucet screen can be cleaned and is housed in a removable assembly at the end of the spout. These can be spun off and the screens cleaned and replaced. Keep in mind the cost of repairs may rival the cost of replacement. If the cost of repair is more than 50% of the cost of replacement, we recommend the faucet be replaced with a new modern fixture.
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