Bird fouling and nesting debris can
seriously damage a buildings aesthetic appearance. This can present
a negative image of your business to your customers as they contain
biting insects and parasites as well as a very unpleasant smell.
This negative impact on your business
is even greater if you are in the food industry - pest birds are
potentially even more of a health risk than rats.
Once a building has been heavily infested
with birds it can be very costly to remove the fouling and clean
the building, this is why proofing should be carried out before
the problem gets too bad.
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Bird infestation can cause structural
damage to your building in a number of ways. Bird droppings have
an acidic content which is corrosive to paintwork and masonry and
in some circumstances, the sheer weight of bird fouling can lead
to roofs and ceilings collapsing - there can often be several tons
of droppings in heavily infested areas.
Droppings and nest materials can also
block gutters and downpipes which can damage the pipes themselves
as well as causing water damage to the building.
Nest debris can block air intakes and
air conditioning units causing mechanical faults which can be costly
to repair.
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Urban pest birds pose a considerable
threat to human health due to the number of diseases and bacteria
that are present in their droppings and nests. The diseases relating
to pest birds are:
Ornithosis |
Ornithosis is a 'flu-like disease
most commonly found in pigeon droppings. Fatalities are rare,
but can occur as with any other influenza virus. However a
more serious form, called psittacosis can also be present
in their droppings - the symptoms of this are more like common
pneumonia. |
Allergic Alveolitis |
More commonly known as 'Pigeon
Fancier's Lung' this is a serious allergic reaction which
can only be cured by the removal of the birds and their nests.
Allergic Alveolitis can result in permanent lung damage. |
Histoplasmosis |
The spores of this fungus thrives
in bird droppings and can affect humans who breathe them in.
This particularly becomes an issue when birds are nesting
on air intakes and spores can be spread throughout the building. |
Salmonella |
Salmonella is present in most
pest birds, but features in a high percentage of feral Pigeons
and also Starlings. Birds have been known to contaminate water
sources so should be considered a health risk at food premises. |
Escherichia Coli |
Gulls in particular have been
linked with the spread of E. Coli because they scavenge for
food on rubbish tips, sewerage treatment works and sewerage
outfall pipes. The E. Coli organisms are present in the gulls
droppings and can spread to water supplies and any food premises. |
Another considerable health risk associated
with urban pest birds are the blood feeding insects and parasites
that live in their nests and droppings. These include biting bugs,
mites, fleas, ticks and lice.
Bird nests can also contain other insect
pests such as carpet beetles, clothes moths, spider beetles,
dermestid beetles and booklice.
Dead birds can also lead to infestations
of house flies and blowflies.
Please note - due to the health
risks associated with the removal of bird nests and droppings, only
trained and suitable equipped personnel should perform the task.
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Wet bird droppings are very slippery
and can be dangerous where the public has access. The problem is
even more significant if the droppings are on emergency stairways
or fire escapes.
Should a member of the public injure
themselves as a result of slipping on droppings you may find yourself
liable for compensation.
Another risk to public safety is a
gull attack. Gulls have been known to to mug people for their food
and can viciously attack both people and pets during the nesting
season. Gull attacks can lead to severe injuries or even death and
have been proven to be on the increase.
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