Preventing Damage and Disease: A Business Owner’s Guide to Pigeon Pest Control

Feral pigeons have relatively short lifespans, living only 3 to 5 years on average. You might think that this would naturally lead to there being consistently small populations of them, particularly in urban environments.

In fact, the opposite is true. Pigeons can start reproducing at six months old and can hatch up to four broods every year. Combined with the rich food sources usually available in cities, pigeon populations can swell to hazardous numbers.

But how much of a problem is that, really? Who needs pigeon pest control and when? Keep reading to find out! 

Top 5 Businesses Plagued by Pigeons

Pigeon problems can happen to anyone, but some businesses are more likely than others to run into trouble. Who is most at risk?

1. Warehouses and factories
2. Food storage facilities
3. Cafés
4. Restaurants
5. Schools

What do all of these places have in common? Food and space!

Pigeons, like every other pest, thrive in places where they can find abundant food supplies. Anywhere that food is likely to be stored, dropped, or thrown away will attract them.

Places like warehouses, factories, and storage facilities also provide shady and convenient nesting places that appeal to feral pigeons as well. 

The Biggest Problems Pigeons Pose

At first glance, pigeons can seem like little more than a harmless nuisance. Upon closer inspection, however, you will find that they are quite damaging to public health, general safety, and physical infrastructure.

But thinking about feral pigeons and the problems they cause in the abstract makes it hard to understand the scope of the problem. So let’s talk specifics. What are the biggest problems pigeons cause, exactly? 

Pigeons Spread Disease

Pigeon droppings carry more than 60 different pathogens and diseases. These include bacteria like E.Coli and Salmonella which have been the cause of serious disease outbreaks across the globe. Some of these diseases, such as E.Coli, can be fatal.

Pigeon faeces can also create a slip-and-fall hazard, leading to serious injuries. When this happens in professional settings, businesses can find themselves paying high costs to compensate injured guests or employees.

Pigeons also carry bird lice and mites, which can then spread to humans who come in contact with them, their nests, or items they have touched. Humans affected by bird lice or mites:

• Suffer from extensive tiny bites that itch fiercely
• May feel as if their skin is crawling as the mites feed
• Can contract secondary infections related to the bites and scratching at them
• Often lose sleep due to intense discomfort
• May experience anxiety or depression

Determining that you have bird mites or lice and getting rid of them can be an arduous process. 

Pigeons Ruin Infrastructure

Pigeons will happily nest anywhere that is comfortable for them without concern about what their presence does to your property. They may nest in gutters, clogging them up and causing damage to your roof, drainage systems, and building.

They may also nest in and around equipment, including HVAC systems, causing damage and creating fire hazards. Pigeon droppings are extremely corrosive, which can lead to problems, too.

Unfortunately, the hassles don’t end there. Pigeons are something of a “gateway pest.” They attract other pests such as rats, ticks, and cockroaches.

If you have pigeons on your property and don’t deal with them quickly, you can find yourself with a full-scale pest invasion before you know it! 

Pigeons Destroy Stock

If you don’t have adequate pigeon deterrents in place, pigeons will gladly help themselves to everything you have. They will consume and contaminate any food stocks they can get into. They will abscond with other materials for use in building their nests.

Both the loss of stock and the destruction of your property can get expensive quickly. 

Pigeons Attack People

While many people are inclined to see pigeons as cute and gentle, the truth is that they are very territorial birds. Once they have set up shop on your property, they don’t want to leave. They also don’t want you, your staff, or your customers in what they consider to be their space.

When they are nesting with chicks, which can happen year-round, they become particularly aggressive and may attack humans who get too close to them or their nests. This can become a serious safety concern! 

What Can You Do If You Have a Pigeon Problem?

So how do you get rid of pigeons when they start to lurk around your property? There are three primary methods for how to get rid of pigeons.

• Shooting
• Trapping
• Baiting

All three methods are legally approved forms of bird control and wholly appropriate responses to the threats that pigeons pose.

Once the birds themselves have been eliminated, you typically need to follow up by removing nests and nesting sites and cleaning up the area. When that is done, you can put preventative measures in place to prevent new pigeons from taking up residence. 

DIY vs Professional Pigeon Pest Control

Is pigeon removal something you can do yourself? In theory, you could possibly handle pigeon removal yourself.

In practice, it’s always better to hire a professional. Getting rid of pigeons is not a simple process. It requires:

• An excellent understanding of pigeons, their habits, and the dangers they pose
• The right gear, tools, and personal protective equipment
• Experience selecting and installing effective deterrents

Handling pigeons, their nests, and their droppings during the removal, cleanup, and prevention installation phases can be hazardous to your health and safety if you aren’t experienced and properly equipped. Moreover, having professionals handle things protects you legally in ways doing it yourself will not. Trying to save a few bucks dealing with your pigeon problems yourself can be a costly mistake long-term.

Given that pigeons attract other pests, it’s also best to have professionals examine and treat your property for other unwelcome critters when they come to deal with the pigeons. Doing so can be key to preventing re-infestation. 

What to Do If You Still Have Questions

If you still have questions about pigeon pest control, we’re here to help! Get Your Free Pest Assessment Now! by phone, email, or our real-time online chat feature for answers and support now!

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Chris Taylor

Chris is the Managing Director of Forensic Pest Management Services. Having been in the industry for well over 20 years, Chris along with his team of Licensed Technicians are now highly sought after and well respected within the Residential and Commercial property sector for their expertise within the pest control industry.

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