
A large, growing group of pigeons have infested Washington County and are causing officials to worry about the health and well-being of its population. Before the population and visitors get sick from bird droppings, the town is brainstorming ways to fix the pigeon infestation without harming birds or the environment.
“ ‘I’d say there’s 150, 200 pigeons up there, it gets more every day,’ said Jake Hensley.
Hensley’s spent the last two decades fighting a losing battle.
‘They’ve been a problem for years, but it’s worse this year than it’s ever been,’ said Hensley.
The Washington County courthouse maintenance director cleans bird droppings every morning.
‘We have to keep the porches and ramps washed off so people don’t have to walk through,’ said Hensley. ‘They need to get rid of them.’
The county is coming up with a plan to eliminate the problem. Some will likely be trapped and killed. The county will also remove the windows so the birds can’t roost there. But first, leaders will install sharp bird control strips on all flat surfaces.
‘The manure’s really in there,’ said Hensely. ‘I mean really in there.’
They know they won’t be able to get rid of all of the animals, but they say it’s time to do something.
‘If this keeps on, somebody’s going to get sick,’ said Hensley.
High quality plastic bird spikes have a flexible base, which allows them to “follow” curved surfaces.