Bird Control Edinburgh

Carrying and spreading diseases

The biggest health risk posed by pest bird species is their prolific ability to carry and spread many dangerous diseases.

Diseases are transferred to humans in a number of ways both through both surface contact and airborne transmission.

Coming into contact with bird droppings is the most likely way that humans will pick up harmful bacteria, either through skin contact, accidental consumption, or where droppings have dried and a person inhales dust carrying faeces particles.

When a large population of pest birds is present salmonella can be transmitted by birds walking through their own, and other bird’s, faeces before contaminating every surface they walk on thereafter.

It is also possible for bacteria to be transferred through direct contact with the bird itself or through food contamination.

Some of the most common diseases and infections that are caused as a result of pest birds include:

• Salmonella – A nasty bacterial disease that causes stomach cramps, diarrhoea, and nausea.
• Psittacosis – Highly infectious air-borne pathogen that is most commonly transmitted by feral pigeon faeces that has dried and become airborne. Symptoms of psittacosis, also known as Ornithosis, include headaches, fever, and blurred vision.
• Histoplasmosis – A fungus that leads to muscle cramping, a dry cough, and fatigue. This disease thrives in moist places that have a high level of organic matter such as surfaces that have become saturated by a layer of bird faeces.

Causing Structural Damage

Bird guano is toxic in more ways than one and its highly acidic nature can erode even the most resilient materials over time.

Leaving a bird infestation untreated, therefore, increase the risk of the structural integrity of your property being compromised.

Even the thinnest layer of faeces can significantly increase the rusting process of metals and a pest bird infestation has been shown to reduce the life span of domestic and commercial rooftops by as much as half.

If birds are constantly roosting near integral support beams or load bearing walls you could be looking at extremely large repair bills and immediate action is essential to guard against this.

Clark Pest Control offers safe and effect guano removal services to help protect your property from bird dropping dangers. 

Reduces workplace safety

Bird infestations on commercial properties can significantly increase the risk of workplace injuries creating slippery surfaces and eroding walkways that increase the risk of tripping.

Employers have a legal responsibility to take all the steps possible to reduce the chances of staff injury whilst at work and failing to tackle a pest problem that is compromising your site could be deemed as negligent.

As a business owner it is essential that you contact a professional pest control company such as Clark Pest Control as soon as you notice the first common signs of a pest bird presence to ensure quick removal and limit the risk of costly legal battles and compensation payments as a result of avoidable accidents.

Increased risk of other pests

Birds nesting or settling on your property significantly increases the risk of a secondary infestation of unwanted pests developing.

Several insects such as bird mites feed on the materials used by birds to create their nests and may find similarly acceptable food sources in your attic or cavity space.

Bloodsucking invertebrates including fleas and bed bugs will also feed on the birds themselves and will be carried into your property on their backs before spreading far and wide. Cockroaches are also attracted to the mould and damp associated with bird dropping covered wooden surfaces.

The one thing that all pest species have in common is that they seek shelter near humans due to the warmth and easy food availability of indoor spaces such as loft spaces which means that there is also a chance your pest controller will discover further totally unrelated pest problems when conducting a survey of your bird problem.

This means additional services may be required from rat infestation elimination and mice control to removing wasp nests and fumigation.

At Clark Pest Control our experienced team of technicians are fully trained in a complete range of pest control services and will often be able to provide complete customer satisfaction by tackling multiple infestations in a single batch of visits.

Gulls (Laridae)

Despite being frequently referred to a ‘seagulls’, these large birds are increasingly taking up residence in urban areas across the UK, and are now an essential part of the services offered by Clark Pest Control Edinburgh.

Gulls can grow up to a massive 80cm and are extremely hard to get rid of as once they have found a suitable nesting spot they will return there every breeding season and can live up to 25 years old.

During this period (gull breeding season usually takes place between Late May and Early June) gulls are extremely aggressive towards humans near to their nest and will swoop towards and screech at anyone they deem to be getting too close.

Whilst they will rarely make direct contact, this can be a distressing experience and alongside their tendency to make a significant amount of noise at any time of the day and night, can have a significant negative effect on the quality of life of those living or working nearby.

There are several different gull species that can cause a pest control problem in the UK:

• Herring Gull
• Lesser Black-backed Gull
• Greater Black-backed Gull
• Black-headed Gull
• Common gull
• Kittiwake

Feral pigeons (Columba livia)

Whilst pigeons are not as aggressive as gulls they are by far the most invasive pest bird species in the UK and are notoriously hard to deter.

Across the UK, these pests cause millions of pounds worth of property damage every year, damage the aesthetic of town centres and other urban areas, and carry as many as 110 different pathogens.

It is estimated that nearly half of all feral pigeons that are found in the UK carry a bacteria known as Chlamydia psittaci that can cause a nasty infection called Ornithosis when transferred to humans.

Other Pest Bird Species

Whilst gulls and feral pigeons are the two most common species of pest bird in Edinburgh they are not the only unwanted guests our clients face.

Other pest bird species we deal with are:

• 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.