Depending on your experience, a pigeon or dove could be a horrible nuisance or they can be gentle and beautiful. For those who rarely encounter these birds, you think of weddings and songs depicting them as almost fairytale creatures. On the flip side, it’s a completely different tune for those who have to deal with them roosting on their roof. Pro Active Pest Control has bird experts on the team who handle this situation regularly.
Description of Pigeon
Pigeons are one of the most common birds in our country. They can mostly be found in populated areas, preferring to be in the company of humans. They are commonly referred to as pigeon, dove, blue rock pigeon, rock dove, wild rock pigeon, rock pigeon, and feral pigeon. Whatever name you give them they are all the same. The smaller birds are generally called doves. In case you are not familiar with their appearance, here is a brief description:
- 14.5 inch-long.
- 28 inch-long wingspan.
- Dark bluish-grey head, neck, and chest with glossy greenish and reddish-purple iridescence around the neck and wing feathers. Sometimes all white.
- Orange or red iris with a pale inner ring.
- Black bill.
- Red feet and legs.
- Distinctive twin black wing bars.
- White lower back feathers.
- Plump, stout body.
- Gentle.
Dangers Of Pigeons Roosting On Your Home
They are not directly dangerous. They will not attack or dive you as you try to enter your home. It’s all the indirect problems you can have as a result. The biggest concern being for the health of your family.
Pigeon droppings carry a large number of diseases that you can come into contact with without realizing it. After the droppings dry, they become powdery and easily inhaled. There have been reported fatalities due to the fungal infections caused as a result. Here are some of the diseases the droppings carry.
- E.coli infection.
- Salmonellosis.
- Psittacosis.
- Histoplasmosis.
- Cryptococcus.
These are problems related to the droppings, but there are other health concerns as well. Because pigeons are hosts to fleas, ticks, and lice, there is a danger of all the diseases that these parasites carry as well. Individuals with weakened immune systems, infants or small children, and the elderly are at the highest risk for infection.
Other concerns are due to the damage they cause to your home when they nest. Pigeons are not picky. They will build their nests anywhere, including your chimney and attic.
Ways To Discourage Pigeons
There are ways to discourage them from roosting, of course, nothing is 100% effective. Here are some tips that may help you:
- Reflective material - Anything that will flash light and disorient the bird.
- Pigeon repellent gel - Apply to roosting areas.
- Pigeon spikes - Attach these to the roofline or anywhere you notice the birds perching.
- Ultrasonic bird repeller - The noise produced tricks the pigeon into thinking your home is a threat.
- Bird Shock Flex Track - Delivers a mild electric shock to pigeon
- A scare owl - This is a fake plastic owl that, depending on the type, can move or remain stationary.
- Close entrances - Seal up any potential entry points and cap chimney.
Don’t encourage them - Remove birdbaths and install netting to protect your garden.
These ideas are great, but unfortunately, most of them are costly. Consulting with a pest control company before making these purchases will save you a lot of money in the end.
Enlist The Help Of Experts
It is vital that you enlist the help of experts with the removal and clean-up of a pigeon infestation from your Lincoln home. If the clean-up is not done properly there is a large chance that dropping dust will make its way into your HVAC system and then your home. At Pro Active Pest Control, we have devised a comprehensive program that will safely remove the bird waste and keep them away. Call today for a free estimate.