No doubt about it; birds are beautiful creatures. But for what they offer in brilliance, they can make up for in hassle. Did you know that airports spend millions annually on repairing, disinfecting and making sure that birds don’t become a general problem? If you think you might be seeing the beginning of a bird infestation, be sure to contact your local pest control professional before they become a million-dollar issue.
That being said, there are a few birds to really look out for. Here are the top 3, and what you can do if you spot them.
Pigeons:
Pigeons are most prominent in metropolitan cities. However, as they migrate back and forth through the seasons they can live anywhere. The first thing to know about pigeons is that their droppings, or guano, are highly acidic and can burn through plastic, vinyl, metals, and even stone. This can cause serious damage to cars and damage your roof; which can lead to leaks. Not unlike other birds, they build their nests out of highly flammable materials, like twigs and leaves. Pigeons like to live on rooftops, in chimneys, or in gutters. This can cause a serious fire hazard to you and your property.
According to the NY City Health pigeons also carry three diseases that are dangerous to humans: histoplasmosis, cryptococcosis, and psittacosis. These diseases can manifest slowly and turn into conditions similar to pneumonia.
Woodpeckers:
It seems like it should be a crime to not mention the Woody the Woodpecker cartoon here. But on a serious note, did you know that a woodpecker can make up to 12,000 pecks and potential holes a day? Combine that with the fact that they can live up to 12 years — well that’s a lot of pecks! Imagine how much damage that can do to your siding.
Woodpeckers commonly drill into gutters, trim boards, and roof valleys. Contrary to popular opinion, they aren’t only making their homes, they’re drilling in search of food. If you hear that iconic pecking rattle, be sure to do a quick
walk-around of your property to make sure nothing is damaged
Similar to pigeons, woodpeckers can carry histoplasmosis. If you’re cleaning bird droppings remember to wear gloves, prefer pressurized hoses and always use proper safety precautions.
Geese:
What would you rather fight: one horse sized goose or a hundred goose sized horses? It won’t really matter when a flock of geese is chasing you down for the kill. If you think we’re joking, WikiHow has an entire article on How to Stop a Goose Attack. Bullet points include “remain” and “avoid escalating the situation.”
All joking aside, geese are aggressive and won’t hesitate to attack you if they feel threatened. Geese can also be aggressive towards property and won’t hesitate to destroy things as they make themselves at home.
On average, geese can generate 1/2 to 3/4 pounds worth of droppings per day. It doesn’t take long for a couple geese to decimate your property.
Do you have a bird infestation? What can be done?
Other birds can cause issues beyond just these 3. Over a very long career, Summit Environmental Solutions has learned that no one solution works for all problems. If you feel like you have a bird infestation, call Summit at 703-520-5868 and let’s talk about how we can develop a bird pest control plan tailored to your home or business.
