Over the last year or so we are having the same issue. During the summer I keep my shop doors open and they are trying to nest in my shop and also my equipment shed, and my wife's horse barn. I have tried all the same stuff as you to run them away. I even do tactical ambushes and set up with my shotgun in a strategic spot as my wife shoos them out....four or five will fly out and I can get one or two each time...thinking they they will get the hint to leave...all to no avail. Then the little aviators get real smart and as soon as they hear us walking they fly out quickly and I don't get a shot at them.
So here is what I do now that is being pretty successful.......my barn cat has become a ace "pigeon killer"..I don't know how he is doing it but he is getting about one a week.....and they are scared shi..les of him.... I don't know if he don's a blue cape or what but he catches them every now and then.
Secondly, what does seem to work are black rubber snakes on the purlins but you gotta move them once a week or they realize they aint real.
Thirdly...and this seems to have the best effect of all, is to constantly knock down their nest as they build them.....I let them get fairly built, maybe even lay an egg or two, and then knock the nest down. It seems that after the third or fourth time they do leave.
Right now we are just down to one pair in the horse barn....and Ive knocked their nest down twice in two weeks. Hope they get the message.
Sad thing is I cant shoot them in the barns or shop as pellets and bullets will play havoc on the roof and insulation!
Good luck my friend!
TAMU Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences
Boat racing is like a beautiful woman.......expensive, high maintenance, but well worth the fun!
