Reasons for bird proofing

aesthetic appearance

Bird fouling and nesting debris can seriously damage a building's aesthetic appearance. This can present a negative image of your business to your customers, as they contain biting insects and parasites as well as a very unpleasant smell.

This negative impact on your business is even greater if you are in the food industry - pest birds are potentially even more of a health risk than rats.

Once a building has been heavily infested with birds, it can be very costly to remove the fouling and clean the building; this is why proofing should be carried out before the problem gets too bad.

structural damage

Bird infestation can cause structural damage to your building in a number of ways. Bird droppings have an acidic content that is corrosive to paintwork and masonry, and in some circumstances, the sheer weight of bird fouling can lead to roofs and ceilings collapsing - there can often be several tonnes of droppings in heavily infested areas.
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Droppings and nesting materials can also block gutters and downpipes, which can damage the pipes themselves as well as cause water damage to the building.
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Nest debris can also block air intakes and air conditioning units, causing mechanical faults that can be costly to repair.

health

Urban pest birds pose a considerable threat to human health due to the number of diseases and bacteria that are present in their droppings and nests. The diseases relating to pest birds are:

ornithosis

Ornithosis is a 'flu-like disease most commonly found in pigeon droppings. Fatalities are rare but can occur, as with any other influenza virus. However, a more serious form, called psittacosis, can also be present in their droppings - the symptoms of this are more like common pneumonia.

allergic alveolitis

More commonly known as 'Pigeon Fancier's Lung', this is a serious allergic reaction that can only be cured by the removal of the birds and their nests. Allergic alveolitis can result in permanent lung damage.

histoplasmosis

The spores of this fungus thrive in bird droppings and can affect humans who breathe them in. This particularly becomes an issue when birds are nesting on air intakes and spores can be spread throughout the building.

salmonella

Salmonella is present in most pest birds but features in a high percentage of feral pigeons and also starlings. Birds have been known to contaminate water sources, so should be considered a health risk at food premises.

Escherichia coli

Gulls in particular have been linked with the spread of E. Coli because they scavenge for food on rubbish tips, sewerage treatment works, and sewerage outfall pipes. The E. Coli organisms are present in the gulls droppings and can spread to water supplies and any food premises.

pests

Another considerable health risk associated with urban pest birds is the blood feeding insects and parasites that live in their nests and droppings. These include biting bugs, mites, fleas, ticks, and lice.
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Bird nests can also contain other insect pests such as carpet beetles, clothes moths, spider beetles, dermestid beetles, and booklice. Dead birds can also lead to infestations of house flies and blowflies.
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Please note: due to the health risks associated with the removal of bird nests and droppings, only trained and suitably equipped personnel should perform the task.

safety

Wet bird droppings are very slippery and can be dangerous where the public has access. The problem is even more significant if the droppings are on emergency stairways or fire escapes.

Should a member of the public injure themselves as a result of slipping on droppings, you may find yourself liable for compensation.

Another risk to public safety is a gull attack. Gulls have been known to mug people for their food and can viciously attack both people and pets during the nesting season. Gull attacks can lead to severe injuries or even death and have been proven to be on the increase.

Pigeon droppings on the floor of a balcony

A colony of Gulls nesting on an industrial roof.

other reasons

Other problems associated with urban pest birds are the contamination of food, which could lead to prosecution, and the noise and foul odours that create unpleasant conditions for customers and employees.

Why choose Bird Management Solutions?

Bird Management Solutions has been carrying out bird proofing and pest control related services for over 20 years. During this time, we have built a wealth of experience and are fully equipped to deal with a wide range of bird and pest problems.

If you wish to arrange a free consultation or site survey, please contact us to speak to a qualified specialist.

why proof?

reasons for proofing