It’s not common to think of birds as pests. After all, people don’t react the same way when they see a rat as when they see a bird. Yes, birds are usually pleasant and nice to have around. But there is always an exception to the rule, the pigeon being the case in point. Pigeons are one of the most common birds found in man-made areas. They prefer roosting and nesting in a building over a tree. This is because their ancestors were domesticated European homing pigeons, according to birdbusters.com. Also, Wikipedia informs us that pigeons were originally domesticated from the rock dove, which naturally inhabits sea cliffs and mountains. Pigeons find building ledges as a great substitute for a sea cliff; and therefore feel at ease making their home in buildings and structures among humans.

At first sight, pigeons seem harmless, but they actually pose various threats. First, pigeon droppings devalue buildings and structures and cause damage over time. Furthermore, experts point out that pigeon feces are known to cause slips and falls among humans, creating a liability for building owners. More importantly, pestworld.org and birdbusters.com point out that pigeon feces have bacteria that can cause diseases such as cryptococcosis, toxoplasmosis, salmonella, and histoplasmosis; among others. Finally, pigeons are hosts to smaller pests that can invade your home or building, such as fleas, mites, ticks and lice. Clearly, having pigeons roost or nest on your home or building is cause for concern.

The best course of action, as always is prevention. Pigeons are known to invade rooftop air conditioning units, building ledges and window sills. Devices can be installed to prevent pigeons form landing and roosting. However, if you already have a pigeon problem, leave it in the hands of Accurate Termite and Pest Control. We are here to help!