India, Nov. 24 -- Anyone who has dealt with pigeons knows they are charming only from far away. Up close, the cooing at odd hours, the feathers drifting around, and the mess they leave behind can turn a perfectly nice balcony into a space you stop using. And once they decide your railing or AC ledge is 'home,' they are stubborn enough to return every day like clockwork.

The good part? You do not need harsh methods or anything cruel. With a few small changes, you can gently convince them to move along.

The easiest fix is to stop giving pigeons a place to settle. Bird spikes work well on railings, ledges, and AC units - they do not hurt the birds; they just make the surface uncomfortable. If you want something long-term and fuss-free, bal...