Bird Proofing Services
Bird infestation can cause structural damage to your building in a number of ways.
Bird droppings have an acidic content which is corrosive to paintwork and masonry. Droppings and nest materials can also block gutters and downpipes which can damage the pipes themselves as well as causing water damage to the building. Nest debris can block air intakes and air conditioning units causing mechanical faults which can be costly to repair. Hants & West Sussex Pest Clear can fit netting to completely enclose courtyard areas or construct nets to pigeon proof open areas of roof tops and fire escapes. Where a building has many ledges and pigeon roosting positions then netting can be fixed to cover the entire face of a building for total proofing. Modern netting is unobtrusive, available in black, stone colour and transparent to match with any background. UV stabilized and held with stainless steel fixing the netting is designed to last for many years if fitted correctly.
Health Hazards Associated With Pest Birds Are:
Ornithosis
Ornithosis is a 'flu-like disease most commonly found in pigeon droppings. Fatalities are rare, but can occur as with any other influenza virus. However a more serious form, called psittacosis can also be present in their droppings - the symptoms of this are more like common pneumonia.
Allergic Alveolitis
More commonly known as 'Pigeon Fancier's Lung' this is a serious allergic reaction which can only be cured by the removal of the birds and their nests. Allergic Alveolitis can result in permanent lung damage.
Histoplasmosis
The spores of this fungus thrive in bird droppings and can affect humans who breathe them in. This particularly becomes an issue when birds are nesting on air intakes and spores can be spread throughout the building.
Salmonella
Salmonella is present in most pest birds, but features in a high percentage of feral Pigeons and also Starlings. Birds have been known to contaminate water sources so should be considered a health risk at food premises.
Escherichia Coli
Gulls in particular have been linked with the spread of E. Coli because they scavenge for food on rubbish tips, sewerage treatment works and sewerage outfall pipes. The E. coli organisms are present in the gulls droppings and can spread to water supplies and any food premises.
Another considerable health risk associated with urban pest birds are the blood feeding insects and parasites that live in their nests and droppings. These include biting bugs, mites, fleas, ticks and lice.
Bird nests can also contain other insect pests such as carpet beetles, clothes moths, spider beetles, dermestid beetles and booklice.
Dead birds can also lead to infestations of house flies and blowflies.
Please note - due to the health risks associated with the removal of bird nests and droppings, only trained and suitably equipped personnel should perform the task.