Most of us don’t consider birds to be pests. In fact, many of us actively encourage them to visit our homes by putting feeders in our gardens. Believe it or not, birds can actually be just as damaging to your home or business as an infestation of rats, flies or cockroaches can be.
Why are birds sometimes classed as pests?
On the whole, birds generally aren’t too much of a problem but when left unchecked, some species can cause significant damage. Some of the most common pest birds in the UK include:
- Feral pigeons
- The greater and lesser black-backed gull
- Herring gulls
- Starlings
- Collared doves
- Seagulls
- House sparrows
Below we have listed the reasons why birds are sometimes classed as pests and why it’s important to get any infestations treated as quickly as possible.
They can cause damage to your property
The acid in bird droppings is highly corrosive and can therefore damage building exteriors. Birds can also cause damage to your home or office by dislodging roof tiles and leaving debris from their nests in drains and gutters. In time, this can cause blockages and problems with flooding when heavy rainfall occurs.
Bird infestations look very unsightly
While we cannot anything about the odd bird dropping, if you have flocks of birds nesting around your building, the area will eventually become overridden with the mess of bird droppings. Chances are that you don’t want to live amongst this and if you run a business, it could really put potential customers off as well.
They can cause safety issues
Birds pose a number of safety risks including:
- They have been known to return to their nests with cigarettes which are still lit – naturally, this is a big fire hazard.
- They frequently foul entrances and pavements. This can be dangerous when slippery.
- During breeding season, birds may attack people when they’re protecting their young.
They carry diseases
One of the main reasons why birds are sometimes classed as pests is because they carry ectoparasites such as mites. These can be transferred to humans and cause diseases including Ornithosis, E.Coli, and Salmonella. Their molted feathers can also cause respiratory problems and their droppings can lead to serious infections.
They’re noisy
The sound of a few birds can be relaxing but the noise incurred when you have an infestation is quite the opposite. Whether you’re trying to enjoy some quiet time at home or get work done in the office, the sound of dozens of birds can be hugely distracting and irritating.
They encourage other infestations
If you notice that you have a bird problem, try to ensure that you get it looked at as quickly as possible because it can lead to other infestations. A number of insects such as bird mites, textile beetles, and fleas are attracted to nesting and roosting sites so you can guarantee that in time, these creatures will also make your premises home.
If you would like further details about infestations and how to eradicate them, visit our bird control and prevention page for more information. Alternatively, please feel free to contact us and we will be more than happy to help.
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