Pigeons Are Stripping My Young Pea Shoots

Wood pigeons are one of the most destructive pests on peas, capable of stripping an entire row of young seedlings down to bare stumps overnight. They target the emerging shoots from germination right through to the early climbing stage — roughly from the moment the shoot breaks the soil surface until the plant reaches about 30 cm tall and begins to develop the tougher, more fibrous growth that pigeons find less attractive. Sparrows and house sparrows also shred pea shoots in some gardens. Both are a near-certainty in any suburban or rural plot without physical protection.

Why netting is the only real solution

CDs, foil tape, hawk kites, and similar deterrents work briefly — perhaps a few days — before pigeons learn they pose no threat and ignore them entirely. Pigeons are intelligent, persistent, and hungry; a visual deterrent without physical consequence does not protect your crop for a full season. The only reliable long-term solution is physical exclusion: netting over the plants that pigeons cannot push through or walk under. Use netting with a mesh size no greater than 20 mm, supported above the plants on canes so it does not rest on the foliage where pigeons can still peck through.

How to net peas effectively

Push canes into the ground along the row, spaced roughly 60 cm apart, at a height 15–20 cm above the top of the plants (account for growth — peas grow fast). Drape netting over the canes and peg it firmly to the ground on all sides. Pigeons are surprisingly clever about finding gaps and entry points — check the perimeter regularly, especially after rain moves or loosens pegging. Once peas are tall and fully established with tough stems (typically at 50–60 cm), pigeons rarely inflict significant damage and netting can be removed or loosened for pollinator access.

Protecting seeds at sowing

Pigeons and other birds also scratch up freshly sown pea seeds before germination — the large round seeds are easy to locate and highly nutritious. Place netting or fleece immediately after sowing, before germination. Alternatively, sow seeds in gutters or modules under cover and transplant established 10–15 cm seedlings outdoors, giving them a head start that makes them harder targets and reduces the window of vulnerability.