Pigeon Droppings Removal
Introduction
Excrement deposits from birds and bats roosting in towers, steeples,
walkways or attics create a health hazard for building occupants, visitors,
employees, building service workers and even for people simply walking down
the street. When excrement dries it becomes friable the organisms therein can
travel as airborne contaminants. Inhaling dust from infected droppings or
feathers can result in pulmonary infection/disease.
Histoplasmosis
Histoplasmosis is one such disease.
This is an infection caused by the fungus Histoplasma Capsulcitum
that grows in bird and bat excrement, symptoms vary greatly but primarily
affect the lungs.
The disease is acquired by inhaling the spore stage of the fungus. Outbreaks
may occur in groups with common exposures to bird or bat droppings or recently
disturbed contaminated soil found in chicken coops, caves etc. Person to
person spread of Histoplasmosis does not occur. Systems vary from mild to
severe lung infections. In immune compromised patients, the disease may
spread to the bone marrow, lungs, liver and lymph nodes.
Why call us?
Removing the bulk droppings is potentially dangerous, both for the cleansing
technicians and others in the vicinity and must be undertaken with care.
AA Woods specialist droppings removal technicians have bee trained in safe
working practices and are aware of the medical concerns regarding bird droppings.
After safely treating the bulk droppings from site in secure sacks, we will treat
the cleaned area to prevent returning organisms.
About Pigeons:
- Wild pigeons can breed throughout the year, peaking between March and July.
- Young pigeons become independant after around five weeks and up to about 18 can be reared during a year
- Pigeons are found mainly in urban environments and have become a pest, fouling buildings and pavements where they nest or roost.
Why are pigeons a pest?
- Pigeon fouling is unsightly but its acid content may also be destructive, eroding stonework. Nest droppings and feathers can block
gutters, rainwater and down-pipes and cause potential slipping hazards on pavements, ladders and fire escapes.
- The presence of pigeons and pigeon droppings can also help create accidents.
- Pigeons are also a source of substances which cause allergies. These can cause respiratory ailments like pigeon fancier's lung
and allergic skin reactions.
What action people should take:
- Action to control the food supply is essential to reduce the number of pigeons. The general public can help by disposing of
food and food containers responsibly and not feeding pigeons. Businesses can help by disposing carefully of their leftover food.
So please do not provide food for pigeons and dispose of food waste responsibly.
Five reasons not to feed pigeons.
- Feeding pigeons affects their health
Feeding pigeons does not keep them healthy. The food they get from people may lack essential nutrients, which pigeons require for overall
good health. Giving pigeons more food can lead to them breeding almost all year. This can place considerable pressure on breeding sites
making many of them unhealthy, crowded places. Mites and other parasites in overcrowded breeding sites can spread disease easily among young pigeons.
Fledglings are at risk of attack by mice and rats attracted to permanent breeding sites.
- Feeding pigeons makes them dependent on us
Feeding pigeons can be harmful because it makes pigeons dependent on people. If they were less dependent they would arguably be less susceptible to
disease and other health risks. Pigeons are wild birds and are capable of fending for themselves.
- Feeding pigeons affects other birds
Feeding wild pigeons can deprive other birds of food and might scare them from your garden. Smaller birds such as Thrushes and Finches are often
frightened off when numbers of much larger pigeons arrive. Feral pigeons can also carry viruses that can be spread to other birds causing death.
- Feeding pigeons attracts pests
People who feed pigeons often end up feeding more than they bargained for. If food is too plentiful, pigeons may not always eat everything that is
left out for them. The remaining food may attract rats and mice.
- Feeding pigeons puts human health at risk
Humans are also at risk from unhealthy pigeons. Pigeons can carry a number of potentially infectious diseases such as salmonella, tuberculosis and
ornithosis (a mild form of psittacosis.
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