Compared to other nuisance wildlife, birds may seem innocent or harmless. Kindly, senior citizens even feed pigeons and other birds from park benches without any problems, so what’s the harm in having urban birds around? Well, it may not seem like it, but birds can cause just as much trouble as the creepy, crawling pests that come to mind when we think of a dangerous infestation. Specifically, pigeons can be harmful to commercial businesses since there are a number of costly problems they can bring with them once they decide to move to your area.
What’s The Most Common Pest Bird?
You guessed it, it’s the pigeon or feral rock pigeon to be more specific. You can find them throughout urban areas, nesting in parking garages and skyscrapers, rooting around in dumpsters, and flocking to parks where people are dropping food. Just because they are common doesn’t mean they aren’t nuisances, however. Pigeons can be dangerous for all of the following reasons:
- Harmful Feces: Pigeon droppings aren’t just gross, they are harmful to the materials that make up our buildings and infrastructure. Pigeon feces is highly acidic and corrosive and can eat through wood, concrete, and even metal.
- Nuisance Nests: Pigeons nest anywhere that they feel warm and safe, often near electrical components or ventilation systems. This can cause disruptions of communication devices, electrical wiring, and many more systems we rely on daily, especially businesses.
- Diseases: Pigeons, like many pests, are carriers of harmful diseases like E. Coli and Salmonella. Even if they aren’t carriers themselves, pigeons can be infested with ticks, lice, and other pests that transmit parasites and illnesses.
How To Prevent Pigeons From Populating Your Property
Now that you’re aware of the harms they can cause, you’re probably wondering what you can do to keep pigeons off of your property. Common prevention methods include:
- Anti-roosting Systems: These are spikes or other obstructions that can be installed on roof ledges, window sills, and other areas of a structure where pigeons often land. You’ll likely notice these systems on commercial buildings and atop bridges or public buildings, as even local administrators have to worry about keeping pigeons at bay.
- Don’t feed them: It may seem obvious, but another good way to keep pigeons away is to not encourage them to come around in the first place. Don’t drop food on the ground for the birds to eat, and keep garbage bins and dumpsters well-secured.
- Install chimney caps & other prevention hardware: Pigeons can get into a building through attic windows, chimneys and vents, so putting cages or caps on these structures prevents them from getting inside and having an easy place to land.
Superior Bird Control From Neighborly
Getting rid of pigeons can be a difficult and painful process. Unlike other pests, these birds are often seen as neighbors of our urban environments, so exterminating or removing them can bring unwanted attention to a home or business. Luckily, you don’t have to worry about removing them at all thanks to the professional solutions available to you locally.
At Neighborly Pest Management, we offer proven, safe, and humane bird control solutions. We have experience in removing nuisance birds from properties, and our exclusion systems have helped government and commercial buildings with prevention. Turn to our experts at the first signs of a pigeon problem; don’t let these nuisance birds negatively affect your business. Reach out to us today!