PROFESSIONAL ECOLOGICAL SERVICES

BIRDS

Introduction

Pigeons, Starlings, Gulls and English Sparrows can become serious pests. These birds cause problems when they nest, rest or flock together in large numbers on, in or near houses.

Their droppings are corrosive to wood, paint and cement and can cause considerable damage. They can spread diseases and ectoparasites. There are more than sixty diseases associated with pigeons, starlings, gulls and English sparrows that are transmissible to humans. Loose feathers, odours and their sounds can all be disruptive and annoying.

Woodpeckers occasionally annoy people by hammering on wood on the side of the house, the roof area or metal flashing. Males who are defining their territory do this in the spring. Unfortunately this hammering is often done at daybreak when people are sleeping.

Diseases Associated with Bird Droppings

Birds can harbour more than 60 different disease-causing organisms. Disease outbreaks that can be directly attributed to pest birds are rare. The potential, however, for disease transmission is real when flocks of birds inhabit buildings.

There are over 50 species of fungi found in bird droppings that can cause infection in people. Examples of these diseases include histoplasmosis, aspergillosis, blastomycosis and cryptococcosis. Of these histoplasmosis and cryptococcosis are the most important.

Apart from disease organisms that may be associated with bird droppings, bird parasites (lice, mites etc.) can bite people, acidic bird droppings damage buildings and droppings on walkways can be slippery. There is also the very real problem of foul odours associated with bird droppings.

Control

Each bird problem must be assessed independently. We start by identifying the pest birds and determining why they are being a nuisance. We can then recommend and perform the appropriate controls. Often more than one control method must be used at a time.

Polyethylene Netting Protecting Balcony Nesting or roosting birds can be blocked from their sites with construction materials or special polyethylene netting.

Pronged Wires Prevent Birds From Resting on Ledge Birds loafing on roofs and ledges can be repelled with thin stainless steel rods, spring wires or special coils.

Other possible control measures include removing food sources, trapping, broadcasting repellent sounds and the use of visual repellents such as hawk silhouettes.

We do not recommend or use sticky repellants or poisoned baits.

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PES Professional Ecological Services Ltd.
98-B Burnside Road West, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada V9A 1B5
Phone: (250) 383-2445
Fax: (250) 383-6775
e-mail: services@pestvictoria.com

We provide professional integrated pest management (IPM) services, a high-tech form of pest control. We are called professional pest managers, not exterminators or fumigators.  We provide pest management, not extermination or fumigation. Excluding pests before they cause a pest offence is a good example of IPM at work.

If You Need Professional Services from Your Pest Control and Pest Management Experts,
for pests in Greater Victoria, British Columbia (B.C. or BC), Canada
 Contact Us Now!

© Copyright PES Professional Ecological Services Ltd.  February 2002
contact webmaster at: services@pestvictoria.com