By Arlene Connelly
Many urban dwellers are unaware that more than 60 human diseases — including avian flu, salmonella, E coli and West Nile virus — are related to pigeons, other pest birds and their droppings. Besides being a public health issue in many cities, they often create a safety hazard for pedestrians, and they carry dangerous parasites and harmful bacteria. Some of these illnesses can even be fatal to humans; they can be contracted through contact with the skin and exposure through inhalation as people go about their daily activities.
Why pest pigeons are especially dangerous
Pigeons are generally considered to be “the number one bird pest” in America today, their numbers are increasing, and their nesting instincts are strong. They usually mate for life, live in communal flocks that travel together, and tend to roost where they can find adequate food and shelter. Along with that, experts in the field now consider pigeons to be a genuine “urban menace,” threatening the quality of life in America’s great cities, including San Francisco, Chicago and New York.
Pigeon droppings can be found on walkways, roofs, window ledges and the sides of some of our finest buildings— anyplace these birds can access. This is especially dangerous around air vents and areas that surround water sources; the germs they carry can easily be transmitted to humans, especially those with a weakened immune system. They also attract insects that can spread disease as well, creating serious liability issues for businesses and restaurateurs.
The corrosive affect of pest pigeon droppings results in extensive and expensive damage to our public buildings and monuments, and they can cause a serious disaster like the collapse of the Minnesota Bridge. Feathers, droppings and nest paraphernalia can also be sucked into pipes and vents, creating a fire hazard in a city’s high-rise buildings where people work and live.
Many urban dwellers are unaware that more than 60 human diseases — including avian flu, salmonella, E coli and West Nile virus — are related to pigeons, other pest birds and their droppings. Besides being a public health issue in many cities, they often create a safety hazard for pedestrians, and they carry dangerous parasites and harmful bacteria. Some of these illnesses can even be fatal to humans; they can be contracted through contact with the skin and exposure through inhalation as people go about their daily activities.
Why pest pigeons are especially dangerous
Pigeons are generally considered to be “the number one bird pest” in America today, their numbers are increasing, and their nesting instincts are strong. They usually mate for life, live in communal flocks that travel together, and tend to roost where they can find adequate food and shelter. Along with that, experts in the field now consider pigeons to be a genuine “urban menace,” threatening the quality of life in America’s great cities, including San Francisco, Chicago and New York.
Pigeon droppings can be found on walkways, roofs, window ledges and the sides of some of our finest buildings— anyplace these birds can access. This is especially dangerous around air vents and areas that surround water sources; the germs they carry can easily be transmitted to humans, especially those with a weakened immune system. They also attract insects that can spread disease as well, creating serious liability issues for businesses and restaurateurs.
The corrosive affect of pest pigeon droppings results in extensive and expensive damage to our public buildings and monuments, and they can cause a serious disaster like the collapse of the Minnesota Bridge. Feathers, droppings and nest paraphernalia can also be sucked into pipes and vents, creating a fire hazard in a city’s high-rise buildings where people work and live.
Today, Bird-B-Gone sets the standard for urban pigeon control, their products are humane and easy to install, and they require little maintenance. If you live in an urban environment or are responsible for building maintenance in one of our country’s fine cities, you can choose from many options for complete pigeon control.
Sound deterrents are often used to deter pest pigeons, and since they will soon become used to hearing one repetitious sound, you will want to use a device that features the sounds of predators and birds in distress with variations, which is more effective. Good sound bird deterrents will use state-of-the art technology to provide easy volume adjustment, and it is also an inexpensive way to keep these birds away from your building. The system’s rigid construction makes it resistant to sun and weather, and you can easily adapt this device to your particular situation. It provides the distress calls of 22 types of birds and comes with an internal speaker; you can also connect four external speakers to the system to reduce the probability of damage to your building and increase your coverage area as well.
Visual bird deterrents are another good alternative
Visual bird deterrents are used to repel pest pigeons and other birds. For example, The scare balloon is an “inflatable scare device” that confuses and deters pigeons with its lifelike predator markings and mysterious eyes they will avoid as they move on to a more appealing location.
The Scare Eye Diverter has an iridescent foil eye to protect your building from pigeons during the day and a glow-in-the-dark back to keep them away after the sun goes down. You can also use flash tape, made from iridescent red foil, to create what bird control experts call “an optical distraction zone” to do drive pigeons away.
Some pigeon control devices make it difficult for pigeons to land
Roost inhibitors, which are quite effective in keeping pest pigeons away from roofs, beams, ledges and various other surfaces, are probably the best-known methods of pigeon control, and they include bird spikes and bird netting. Bird spikes are available in two varieties and various colors and sizes to solve your pigeon control problem. Made from unbreakable polycarbonate, the plastic spikes are very strong and rigid, and the marine-grade stainless steel spikes are also available.
The polyethylene knotted bird netting in Bird-B-Gone’s product line is a favorite with architects because of its durability in all kinds of weather conditions. It deters pest pigeons and all species of birds from landing, comes with a 10-year guarantee, and is very affordable in these budget-conscious times.
The bird repeller sweeps pigeons away with its 5 ft radius-rotating arms. It a solar panel that powers the motor, and two AA rechargeable batteries for extended operation during dark periods. The bird repeller is ideal for use on rooftops, AC units and roof vents to keep pest pigeons away.
Sound deterrents are often used to deter pest pigeons, and since they will soon become used to hearing one repetitious sound, you will want to use a device that features the sounds of predators and birds in distress with variations, which is more effective. Good sound bird deterrents will use state-of-the art technology to provide easy volume adjustment, and it is also an inexpensive way to keep these birds away from your building. The system’s rigid construction makes it resistant to sun and weather, and you can easily adapt this device to your particular situation. It provides the distress calls of 22 types of birds and comes with an internal speaker; you can also connect four external speakers to the system to reduce the probability of damage to your building and increase your coverage area as well.
Visual bird deterrents are another good alternative
Visual bird deterrents are used to repel pest pigeons and other birds. For example, The scare balloon is an “inflatable scare device” that confuses and deters pigeons with its lifelike predator markings and mysterious eyes they will avoid as they move on to a more appealing location.
The Scare Eye Diverter has an iridescent foil eye to protect your building from pigeons during the day and a glow-in-the-dark back to keep them away after the sun goes down. You can also use flash tape, made from iridescent red foil, to create what bird control experts call “an optical distraction zone” to do drive pigeons away.
Some pigeon control devices make it difficult for pigeons to land
Roost inhibitors, which are quite effective in keeping pest pigeons away from roofs, beams, ledges and various other surfaces, are probably the best-known methods of pigeon control, and they include bird spikes and bird netting. Bird spikes are available in two varieties and various colors and sizes to solve your pigeon control problem. Made from unbreakable polycarbonate, the plastic spikes are very strong and rigid, and the marine-grade stainless steel spikes are also available.
The polyethylene knotted bird netting in Bird-B-Gone’s product line is a favorite with architects because of its durability in all kinds of weather conditions. It deters pest pigeons and all species of birds from landing, comes with a 10-year guarantee, and is very affordable in these budget-conscious times.
The bird repeller sweeps pigeons away with its 5 ft radius-rotating arms. It a solar panel that powers the motor, and two AA rechargeable batteries for extended operation during dark periods. The bird repeller is ideal for use on rooftops, AC units and roof vents to keep pest pigeons away.
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