BirdMaster's Blog » pigeon guano

Pigeons take over Washington County

jjpace@birdmaster.com — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 14:01:21 +0000

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.

Since the old Washington County Tennessee courthouse in Jonesborough was taken over by pest birds, the accumulation of bird droppings on its exterior has caused a significant mess to its façade.

“ ‘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.

As know, the buildup of bird dropping can cause structures to deteriorate over time. As well, the cost to clean the mess left behind by pigeons can surpass the cost involved in the installation of humane bird control systems.

BirdMaster Bird Control Systems specializes in humane and environmentally friendly bird deterrent systems. They have been protecting historic and commercial buildings for over 20 years. BirdMaster protects buildings from the damaging effects as well as the health hazards associated with bird guano. Their systems do not harm bird or the environment.

Pigeon Infestation threatens to damage neighboring businesses causing concerns for the Linton City Council

jjpace@birdmaster.com — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 15:16:21 +0000

Pigeons are causing serious concerns to neighboring merchants and city officials, as one of the empty storefronts lining the N. Main St of Linton City, Indiana has been the favorite place for pigeons to roost.

The accumulation of bird guano is causing merchants to worry about their businesses, as the pigeon guano pose health risks to neighbors and visitors.

The Linton City Council even considered demolishing the building, as the structures were also affected by the cumulative and corrosive effects of bird guano, and the owner believes the costs are too high to get it fixed at this point.

“Once the home of Attic of the Wind and Mainstreet Mortgage, the empty storefront’s now lined with pigeon feathers and bird dung.

Linton city attorney Tim Shonk told the Linton City Council he’s concerned Danny Leigh, the owner of the vacant storefront, might tear the building down, damaging neighboring businesses.

The same damage could occur, officials fear, if the city condemns and tears down the site, leaving an unsightly vacant lot.

Shonk’s also concerned about the possibility of health hazards, structural damage and collapse if the building stays standing.”
Read more: http://gcdailyworld.com/story/1736543.html

Pigeons can damage a building fast and repairs can be very costly. But often, businesses owners and property managers mistakenly forget to install bird control systems at their sites and do not pay much attention to bird infestations.

To prevent pigeons from entering or roosting on your building, BirdMaster installs highly effective humane bird proofing systems, which do not harm birds. Choosing the appropriate system can be challenging, but BirdMaster’s professionals understand the psychology of birds, which is why our installations have worked in places where feathered pests have remained unmoved by everything from spikes and chemicals to air cannons.

Woman was blinded and nearly killed simply by coming into contact with pigeon feces.

jjpace@birdmaster.com — Tue, 10 May 2011 15:05:03 +0000

‘Please don’t feed the pigeons’

This year, in early January, a young New Brunswick woman contracted a potentially fatal condition known as Cryptococcal Meningitis. This is a serious fungal disease carried in the feces of pigeons, easily transmitted to humans simply by coming into contact with pigeon droppings.

“The debilitating illness attacks the spine and the brain, causing severe swelling. It left her confined to a hospital bed in a state of delirium for weeks.

But the most devastating consequence of the sickness is that Richards is now blind.

‘Be aware of this disease. It could kill a child in a heartbeat,’ Richards said from her hospital bed.

‘It could kill a senior in a heartbeat without you even having to worry about the symptoms. It comes on that fast. If you don’t realize the symptoms, it could kill you, too.’

Richards’ warning comes on the heels of Fredericton city council’s approval earlier this month of a recommendation it toughen its animal-control bylaw to make it illegal to feed pigeons.

While such complaints are unusual, a problem exists on the city’s Grandame Street with a property owner who refuses to stop feeding the birds. The pigeons are roosting on roofs and defecating.

The new law will give the city’s bylaw enforcement officers the power to ticket and fine offenders.

‘Please don’t feed the pigeons,’ Richards said. ‘Try to shoo them away, if you see them. It (the disease) is horrible. The pain that you get from this disease is crippling.’

‘The after-effects are with you for life and you just can’t stop thinking about it. I just want other people to know and try to stay away from pigeons.’

Oddly enough, Richards said she has no recollection of ever being anywhere near pigeons.

‘I am still wondering to this day where I got it. I could have stepped in it and brought it into the home. I just don’t know.’

Richards said the symptoms started with a migraine headache -one that wouldn’t go away. She was admitted to hospital Feb. 10 after many days of intense head pain. Shortly after, she went into a comalike state.

‘When I woke up I thought I had a mask over my eyes, but I was wrong. I was blind. I was recently told that I will be blind for the rest of my life. This is a tough thing for a 23-year-old to go through. My world crumbled around me.’

Richards said the odds of surviving the disease are 50-50.”