Bird Control Dundee

Birds spread diseases

In isolated situations, individual bird droppings are usually relatively safe. However, when a large quality of faeces is allowed to build up it creates the perfect environment for dangerous bacteria to thrive.

Pest birds can carry and spread a range of diseases through their faeces that pose a serious health risk to humans, and this is one of the major reasons that some bird species are considered such a serious pest control problem.

Feral pigeons alone have been found to carry as many as 110 different pathogens and living or working in close proximity to a large population poses a very real risk of transmission.

It is much rarer, but still not impossible, for pest birds to transmit diseases to humans through direct contact.

Some of the more common diseases that are spread by pest birds include:

Salmonella

Salmonella is a bacterial infection that causes digestion problems, stomach cramps, diarrhoea, and vomiting amongst infected humans.

You are probably aware that eating raw poultry, such as chicken, risks a serious chance of becoming infected with salmonella, but the bacteria that lead to this disease is also carried and transmitted by pest birds.

Salmonella is also present in many bird faeces, with house sparrows having one of the highest infection rates.

When a large bird infestation is present all birds will regularly be walking through their own and other birds’ faeces, and every surface they touch from that point on could become contaminated.

Birds such as sparrows often see indoor food processing facilities as ideal nesting sites and food contamination leading to salmonella is a genuine concern for many of our commercial customers.

For this reason, it is essential that all companies involved in the production and distribution of food products seek regular pest control services to ensure a bird infestation has not compromised their safety protocols and the risk of salmonella is eliminated.

Psittacosis

This extremely transmissible and infectious airborne disease is spread most prolifically by feral pigeons and it is estimated that nearly half of all pigeons in the UK carry the Chlamydia psittaci bacteria that leads to the disease.

This bacteria is usually transferred when particles of either dried faeces or feathers become airborne in the form of dust that is then accidentally consumed by humans.

Psittacosis, or ornithosis, can lead to a range of different symptoms including severe headaches, muscle weakness, and dizziness.

In the most severe cases, psittacosis can become so serious that hospitalisation and even death are genuine possibilities.

Histoplasmosis

Histoplasmosis is an infection that is caused by inhaling the spores of a fungus that develops in damp places that are high in organic matter.

Surfaces that have been contaminated by high amounts of bird faeces are the perfect breeding ground for histoplasmosis when disturbed.

When histoplasmosis is present in humans symptoms can present themselves in the form of fever, muscle cramps, or a dry cough.

Histoplasmosis is particularly dangerous to those with breathing difficulties or compromised immune systems.

Commercial disease prevention

If pest birds nest in the ventilation systems of commercial buildings, dry droppings can quickly become a ‘sick building’ with a number of airborne diseases circulating.

Employers have a responsibility to their employees to create a safe and healthy working environment and if workers become ill as a result of unwanted pests remaining untreated your company could face significant legal repercussions and compensation payments.

By utilising the professional services of a bird control expert from Clark Pest Control, you will not only ensure that your premises is fully pest free but also that your safety procedures are effective and you are fully insured against unexpected expenses.

Birds cause property damage

Bird droppings are not only dangerous to humans but can also do a lot of damage to property.

Pigeon and other bird faeces are highly acidic and over time can erode almost any surface due to its corrosive nature.

It has been found that the presence of a large population of pest birds can reduce the lifespan of a property’s roof by as much as 50% due to the weight and composition of their ‘guano’ and as the materials wear away there will be an increased risk of leakages and flooding.

That’s why we also offer professional guano cleaning services as part of our proofing. 

Droppings may also wear away steps and stairways and cause high traffic walkways to become slippery, creating an unstable environment that can be a major safety hazard if unaddressed.

The physical presence of birds themselves can also have a destructive impact dislodging roof tiles and fixings that can potentially fall on those below and compromise the roofs integrity.

Birds attract other pest species

The warm bodies of pest birds are ideal homes for certain bloodsucking pests including bed bugs, and fleas, whilst others will feed upon the materials used by birds to create their nests.

These pests will enter your property via the birds themselves who see the inside of man made structures such as lofts or warehouse rafters as ideal nest making locations, but once inside they will spread far and wide causing property damage and risking the health of you, your family, and your pets.

This is why professional home pest control is so important when dealing with pest bird infestations in domestic properties as our technicians have years of training in spotting signs of secondary infestations and will be able to recommend to you the best course of action to ensure your home is completely pest free.

As mentioned, birds often seek the warmth and shelter offered by human homes and other pests are no different so in some cases, a pest technician may identify a secondary completely unconnected pest infestation such as a rodent or wasps nest in your home, whilst employing bird control treatments in your attic.

Pest control experts from Clark Pest control will often be able to deal with multiple pest infestations in a single treatment programme and you will not be charged and additional call out fees if this is the case.

Pigeons (Columba livia)

Also known as rock doves or rock pigeons, feral pigeons are by far the most invasive pest bird species in the UK and are extremely hard to get rid of permanently.

These birds tend to be bluish grey in colour with two black bands on their wings and grow to 30-36cm long.

Across Scotland every year, these flying pests cause millions of pounds of property damage, have a negative impact on the aesthetic of buildings they choose to roost on, and urban areas in general, and carry up to 110 different pathogens on their own.

Common signs that you may have a pigeon infestation of your property include scratching and calling sounds coming from your roof guttering or loft spaces, where these birds tend to nest.

Gulls (Laridae)

Despite being grouped together under the banner of ‘seagulls’ by many, there are several different breeds of gull that can cause pest control problems in the UK, none of which are actually known as seagulls.

Gull species present in the UK include:

• European Herring Gull (Larus argentatus)
• Lesser Black-backed Gull (Larus fuscus)
• Greater Black-backed Gull (Larus marinus)
• Black-headed Gull (Chroicocephalus ridibundus)
• Common gull (Larus canus)
• Kittiwake (Rissa tridactyla)

The largest gulls can grow up to a massive 80cm and are extremely hard to deter from nesting on your property once a population becomes established as they will usually return to the same nesting point year after year after a successful breeding season.

They can also live up to 25 years old so if you do not take action you could face a gull problem for a significant period of time causing you distress and an awful lot of money.

During the breeding season period, usually occurring in the few weeks between Late May and Early June, gulls become extremely protective of their nests and aggressive towards humans or other animals that stray too close.

Whilst they will very rarely make actual contact with humans, gulls will swoop towards people and screech at anyone they deem to be getting too close, which can be distressing for staff or visitors to commercial sites and may give a bad impression of your business.

They will also make a significant amount of noise at any time of the day and night, which can have a negative impact on the quality of life of those who live or work in close proximity.

Other

Although feral pigeons and gulls are the two most prominent species of birds that cause problems for our Dundee customers, they are not the only common pests that we deal with.

Other bird species that we can help you tackle include:

• Starlings (Sturnus vulgaris)
• House Sparrows (Passer domesticus)
• Canada Goose (Branta canadensis)
• Crows (Corvidae)

No matter what bird species you are dealing with a fully qualified technician from Clark Pest Control in Edinburgh will explain your treatment options and recommend the best strategy to have your property bird free in no time at all.