Protecting You and Your Property from Feral Pigeon Pests

Feral pigeons can be more than a nuisance. They are considered a pest species as they may cause a significant number of problems, including:

1. Property damage:

• Pigeons can cause extensive damage to buildings and structures by pecking and scratching at surfaces.
• Pigeon droppings (guano) are acidic and can cause staining and corrosion of metals brick and stonework. Rectifying such damage can be very expensive.
• Feathers and nesting material can block guttering, causing water damage to buildings, and can also block flues and chimneys, causing possible problems with carbon monoxide.
• Pigeons can lift loose roof tiles, allowing water penetration and damage.

Feral pigeon bird faeces do not just damage cars, but also affect buildings and can do consireable damage to your property!

2. Health concerns:

• Pigeons can pose a health risk, as their droppings can contain harmful bacteria, parasites, and fungi. Pigeons themselves can also carry a range of diseases such as Ornithosis, Listeria and E-coli that can be transmitted to humans. When pigeon droppings become dry, small particles can become airborne, which may lead to several diseases including psittacosis, an acute respiratory disease. Between 25 to 50 cases of psittacosis are laboratory confirmed in England and Wales each year.
• Secondary infestations from pigeons can cause a health risk, for example, pigeon nests often house blood feeding parasites such as fleas, mites, ticks, and beetles, which eventually migrate away from the nest and into your home. Bird mite infestations can be very difficult to manage .
• Pigeon droppings can lead to slip hazards on pavements

3.  Aesthetic issues:

• Large populations of pigeons can create an unsightly appearance, with large amounts of droppings and feathers accumulating on surfaces.

Pigeon Prevention and Proofing

To control and deter feral pigeons on buildings, there are several pest control methods that can be used. These include:

1. Physical barriers: Installing physical barriers, such as bird spikes or netting, can prevent pigeons from landing on ledges and other surfaces.
2. Repellents: There are a number of chemical and visual repellents that can be used to deter pigeons, such as bird repellent gel or bird distress calls.
3. Habitat modification: Reducing the availability of food, water, and shelter for pigeons can help to reduce their populations and deter them from roosting on buildings.
4. Trapping and removal: In some cases, trapping and removal of pigeons may be necessary, especially in situations where there are large numbers of birds causing significant damage or health concerns.

It’s important to choose a pest control method that is humane and in line with local laws and regulations. Professional pest control services can provide more effective and targeted treatment options and can help to resolve pest problems quickly and efficiently.  As the BPCA report, “pigeon prevention, proofing, and control are a highly specialised skill, requiring specialist equipment and tools.” If you’re having pigeon problems, it’s time to call in the experts.

Act Quickly!

Feral Pigeons breed quickly throughout the year. To avoid damage to your health and your property, it is important to get the problem under control as soon as possible. Call Avon Pest Control today to speak to a member of our fully licensed, reliable team, and let us solve your pest problem for you.