Business owners, fed up with the hazards of pigeon droppings, are turning to the services of professional pest control firms to curtail this...
Experts agree: There are definitely more pigeons in the south west these days. And with the increased population comes increased problems related both to public health and property maintenance. Many people are resigned to the fact that pigeons are a natural addition to any tall building, but some local business owners are taking a stand.
It is becoming more and more common for coalitions of business owners to club together and hire out the services of a pest control company to reduce the pigeon population because of health concerns and property damage.
When baits are used to control pigeon populations, the birds who eat the bait eventually die but first display intoxicated behaviour.This behaviour is a stress signal to the other birds, which leave the area because they sense that something is not right. This results in a greater reduction of the population in a specific area because of the birds who take a toxic dose as well as the repellency issue.
Pigeon droppings aren't just a nuisance or an extra chore for property owners. Because they are acidic, they actually cause property damage, eating through metal and deteriorating signs and other metal objects at a rapid rate. The biggest problem, though, comes in cleaning the droppings.
Pigeon fecal matter is a breeding ground for a spore called histoplasmosis, which can cause an infection that leads to respiratory disease. The infection, if it affects other organs, can be fatal if untreated.
Pigeons are also known to carry or transmit pigeon ornithosis, encephalitis, Newcastle disease, cryptococcosis, toxoplasmosis, salmonella food poisoning and several other diseases.
Pigeons are not protected by law, meaning property owners are free to dispose of them as they wish. However, the majority of property owners opt for preventative methods such as spikes or other roosting deterrents. Whilst these can prove effective, they will not reduce a local pigeon population.
There will always be a struggle between people who want pigeons eliminated and those who believe it's wrong to kill them off, but there can be a healthy compromise. Ultimately, the aim is to protect public health and safety, not eliminate a species of bird.
I place the safety of my kids above the population of pigeons. When the population reaches a certain point, it becomes an issue and something needs to be done.