Pigeons will flee from the garden if you grow one plant they 'hate'

Pigeons flock to spots that offer them refuge and grub, which explains their fondness for back gardens - but they swiftly turn into a right pain because hordes of them love congregating together.

When they rock up in droves, your drive and car end up plastered in pigeon mess. What's more, whilst their gentle cooing might sound charming at first, you've probably clocked that a massive flock can create quite the racket, with their wing-flapping creating a proper din when they take fright and scarper.

Even more frustrating, green-fingered folkmay have discovered these feathered pests have wreaked havoc on certain plants. It comes after a man claimed 'my neighbours made a petition to get rid of my dogs so kids can play in my garden'.

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Whilst they're not your typical garden menace, they're perfectly capable of decimating your patch, stripping it of tender seedlings and ripe fruit, reports the Express.

Fortunately, there's one particular plant that pigeons seem to "hate" which gardeners can deploy as their secret weapon against these bothersome birds, according to pest control guru Zack DeAngelis from Pest Pointers.

Zack insisted that garlic plants are something pigeons "absolutely hate" because of their pungent aroma and flavour. He explained: "Since garlic has such a strong aroma and taste, it is deemed unbearable by a bird, and they will stay far away from it".

Dotting garlic bulbs throughout your garden, particularly in pigeon hotspots like near trees or blooms they fancy, will "keep them away from those plants and, away from your space altogether". Likewise, onion plants are something pigeons "absolutely hate" as well, since the vegetable emits an extremely unbearable scent that they will "surely stay away from".

Zack advised: "If you have a vegetable garden or vegetables that keep getting eaten by the birds, adding onion plants into your outdoor space will not only give you a great food source but will keep pigeons far, far away".

Citronella, despite its fresh and zesty aroma, is a third plant that pigeons detest and can disguise other fragrances that draw these nuisances whilst deterring them. Citronella comes from lemongrass plants and is frequently available as an oil, though every variety works brilliantly as a deterrent.

For plant-based use, position lemongrass as a protective border around your garden, creating a natural barrier that will also infuse your outdoor area with a pleasant fragrance.