To many people, birds don’t seem like particularly dangerous pests. Unfortunately this isn’t true. Birds are actually one of the most dangerous pests. The reason why is because of their droppings. It may seem overdramatic, but the dangers of bird droppings are vastly underrated. But why are they so dangerous?
What you need to know if you run a business
What are the dangers of bird droppings and why should you be aware of this? The fact is that birds defecate almost constantly. Usually several times a day over the side of your roof. If you have flocks of birds nesting on your roof, then this event will be multiplied exponentially. What it results in is a constant stream of excrement raining down on the ground around your property.
Unless you have experienced this, you will not be prepared for the staggering volume which can be produced. Within days you will have enormous heaps of droppings scattered around the building. London businesses will be all too aware of this, being a city blighted by pigeons.
Droppings and diseases
Now, the reason why you need to understand the dangers of bird droppings is because of the disease element. Bird droppings contain dozens of diseases and parasites. Many of these cause serious health problems. What’s more, many of them are also airborne. This means infection can occur simply due to the presence of droppings. Some of the worst diseases spread by pest birds include the following.
- Histoplasmosis.
- Candidiasis.
- Cryptococcosis.
- St. Louis Encephalitis.
- Salmonellosis.
- E. Coli.
Birds also carry parasites. When they fly overhead these parasites often become dislodged. They fall through the air and land on your roof or the ground around your property. From there these creatures may make their way indoors and begin to multiply. Some of these parasites include bed bugs, lice, chicken mites, fleas, and yellow meal worms.
The slip factor
The dangers of bird droppings also cover the proverbial slip and fall hazard. Bird droppings are exceptionally slippery, says Glen Stanford, owner of Diamond Pest Control in London. Even a small deposit of droppings may result in wobbly legs or a nasty fall, he warns. There is also the chance of freak accidents and a slip that takes you totally by surprise.
Damage to buildings
Bird droppings also cause damage to buildings. They are highly acidic and contain large amounts of salt. This means deposits of droppings will erode and damage your building. Materials such as stone, metal and also paint are particularly vulnerable to damage caused by bird droppings. It can damage paint on cars, if not cleaned off.
Other reasons droppings can cause problems
Bird droppings may also destroy or clog up your drains and gutters. Not only that, if you do any work outside then bird droppings could contaminate finished goods. Birds may end up defecating over goods you are attempting to manufacture or sell. For example, if you have a garden centre or sell motor cars then birds can pose a serious risk. In fact, the dangers of bird droppings may be something you’re already familiar with.
Finally, there’s the fact that droppings from pest birds are simply disgusting. They are foul, stink and do not create a pleasant atmosphere. Ultimately you do not want unsightly piles of droppings scattered around your London property.
So what can you do about the dangers of bird droppings? Obviously the easiest solution is to get rid of the birds from the area. This can be achieved through various pest control techniques. These can include removing sources of food and water, or placing bird spikes on the roof. While these are effective your best option is to hire a professional exterminator.
