Identify your Pests > Feral pigeons (Columba livia)

Feral pigeons have been found to carry more detrimental diseases to man than rats, and are one of the largest causes of internal biting insect problems within offices and homes.

Faeces, droppings, fouling, excrement, guano... call it what you like, Guano is highly unpleasant and the main reason that pest control companies are investing large percentages of their resources in clean-up, prevention and disposal operations. Nesting material and deposits (droppings) are host to numerous varieties of fleas, flies and stored product insects, and more importantly, an increasing number of detrimental, and some cases, lethal, human diseases.

Eradication of the roosting flock is extremely difficult and control can only be achieved by breaking their roosting habits. As with all pests, only a thorough site survey will determine the level of infestation and therefore the correct programme of treatment required. Scaring and audible/sub audible devices can prove useful as part of a deterrant programme but only where pigeon activity is established then other methods need to be considered. A suitable pigeon proofing system should always be the first consideration and these mainly consist of the Birdwire system, bird spikes or bird netting. The correct system will depend on a number of factors relating to infestation level, food availability, site location, neighbouring colonies and building construction and listed status, all of which will be discussed in detail at the site survey. To maxmise your investment in a bird control program it needs to surveyed, installed and maintained by qualified and experienced personnel as a sub standard installation could be harmful for the birds.

Should all proofing options be exhausted then a series of culls can be considered and this should be executed by a trained marksman.

Psittacosis (Ornithosis)
An infectious disease usually transmitted through inhalation of dust or airborne particles contaminated by bird faeces or nasal discharge or from contaminated feathers. The organism can survive many months in dry dust. The symptoms of human infection range from a flu-like illness with fever, joint and muscle pains of a few days (in about 25% of cases) to pneumonia (in about 60% of cases) and possible endocarditis (inflammation of the Heart) and hepatitis (inflammation of the Liver). REPORTED NUMBERS OF INFECTIONS IN THE UK AVERAGE AROUND 500 PER YEAR, AND HAVE MORE THAN DOUBLED SINCE THE EARLY 80s.

Bird Lung (Extrinsic Allergic Alveolitis)
This is an allergic disease. Inhalation of bird droppings may cause acute disease with symptoms of fever and chest tightness with cough. The disease may also manifest itself in chronic form with shortness of breath on exertion. Such is the importance and danger now associated with the disposal of nesting and guano the HSE have issued guidance for removal and, states the following precautions are recommended:

1. Personal protective equipment in the form of a disposable one-piece boiler suit with close fitting hood should be worn.
2. Respiratory protective equipment in the form of a ventilated helmet ('airfed') with RPE to asbestos standards is advised.
3. Good personal hygiene measures are essential and should include adequate washing facilities and separate eating facilities.
4. The offending material should be removed in such a way as to minimise the amount of dust generated.
5. The bulk of the material should be placed in plastic sacks and disposal by incineration arranged.
6. The contaminated surfaces should be treated to eradicate bacteria.

It is also recommended that employees who are exposed to this hazard carry a letter from the company that will alert their GP to their occupational risk in the event of ill-health.