Are pigeons merely the birds in the movie Mary Poppins, city birds with no real purpose? Where are the pigeons supposed to be, and what purpose do they serve? Are pigeons really” flying rats?” And why is the pigeon considered a pest?
These are all valid questions. Since they seem to serve no real purpose and only make messes of our cities, let’s dive a bit deeper into understanding the pigeon as a whole. Then we may discover why they are the number one bird wildlife removal professionals are asked to remove.
At Covenant Wildlife Removal, we want to help educate our clients on the different types of nuisance animals and the danger they create when left unchecked. Keeping you and your family safe is our top priority.
What is a Pigeon?
Yes, the pigeon is considered a pest bird species. Other bird species are also considered pests, such as sparrows and starlings, when they are in large numbers. But focusing on the pigeon is relatively easy as they are so readily recognized.
The dictionary defines pigeon as the following:
“1. A stout seed- or fruit-eating bird with a small head, short legs, and a cooing voice, typically having gray and white plumage.
2. A pigeon descended from the wild rock dove, kept for racing, showing, and carrying messages, and common as a feral bird in towns.”
The pigeon is gray in color with a black bar on each wing. Feral pigeons often have a blue-gray head with yellow, green, and purple markings adorning their necks and wings. They usually arrive in large numbers and are one of the world’s oldest domesticated bird species.
We would be remiss not to acknowledge the good they once served. Yes, at one time, pigeons were seen as functional as they carried messages during wartime communication. But now, with amazing technological advances, the pigeon has been retired from its carrier duties.
Are Pigeons Dangerous to Have Around?
The pigeon rose to pest status because of their sheer numbers, first and foremost. Strangely, these pest birds do not have a natural defense mechanism against predators, although they have several predators that would love to make them their dinner. However, they continue to flourish, with numbers seemingly never diminishing. No matter how many birds and animals consider them prey, pigeons are not in danger of going anywhere.
That said, they are a real danger to have in large numbers where you live, work, or play. Here is why.
- These nuisance pests shed parasites with their feathers and droppings.
- Pigeons build nests almost anywhere they can, making a mess of buildings, statues, eaves, signs, bridges, and more.
- They can cause serious hazards to air travel. They often get sucked into jet engine intake fans or fly into windshields, causing great danger to the aircraft and the people aboard.
- Their droppings contaminate public areas and, unfortunately, cause slip and fall accidents.
- They deface public monuments with their constant defecation, making them almost unbearable to look at. And the droppings corrode monuments, ruining them for generations to come to enjoy.
- Clogging intakes, filter, and fans, the feathers of large groupings of pigeons will damage machinery such as HVAC units, generators, and other machines that require cooling fans.
Illnesses Transmitted by the Pigeon
While our monuments are valuable, and we do not want to slip and fall in pigeon poop, the biggest problem with pigeon infestations is the diseases they carry. Pigeons are a health risk to humans, pets, and livestock. They can transmit fatal diseases as well as harboring fungus. And, they bring along fleas, lice, ticks, mosquitos, and mites in their plumage. Finally, pest insects will take up residence in the filthy nests they keep, making the same nests a danger.
Here is a list of the known diseases pigeons carry and thus transmit, deeming them dangerous pests.
- Histoplasmosis
- Salmonella
- Ornithosis
- Avian Flu
- West Nile Virus
- Eastern Equine Encephalitis
- Chlamydiosis
- Toxoplasmosis
- Tuberculosis
- Cryptococcosis
- Yersiniosis
These diseases and more can be transmitted through the birds, their nests, pests, droppings, etc. That is why we suggest you call for immediate removal if you see pigeons roosting on your property.
Help for Preventing Pigeons
If you are going to try to limit the number of pigeons around your place of business or home, you will want to remove the things that attract the pigeons in the first place. Therefore, we have listed some suggestions to cut down on the number of pigeons in your area.
- Take down any bird feeders for other bird species. Pigeons will eat just about anything.
- If you work with a restaurant, be sure the dumpster lids are tightly closed, and any food droppings are picked up after each customer.
- Eliminate areas pigeons can rest and nest. Using humane spikes and fishing lines are two good ways to keep them out.
- Try motion censored sprinklers or high-powered water guns to scare them off.
- Loud noises will scare them off as well.
- Keep standing water and birdbaths out of the area.
Effective Pigeon Control
If you have eaves or ledges, you may have pigeons. These pet birds are also called rock doves and rock pigeons because they are often spotted on coastal rocks looking for seeds and small crustaceans or insects. Clearly, the most crucial aspect of pigeon control is to ensure safety. So, that is why it is best to have a professionally licensed and trained wildlife removal company alleviate your pigeon infestation.
Covenant Wildlife Removal Chases Away the Pigeons
Commercial buildings will call for pigeon removal most often. In significant warehouse situations, these pest birds will get up into the rafters to nest and make a filthy mess of the store or warehouse. That is when the expertise and safety of a wildlife removal company is required.
Pigeon and bird removal is challenging work that requires an experienced hand. As you know, birds have the advantage over humans to be able to fly away. So, to keep birds out of the places we don’t want them, you have to think like a bird.
At Covenant, we set up traps to catch the birds on your property and things like repellent spikes and netting to keep them from coming back. and, we can also recommend other bird deterrent devices that will help keep the birds away.
Covenant Wildlife Removal will rid the area of pigeons and decontaminate the area. Additionally, we will seal up all the entry points other than the customer doors, so you can welcome your clients into a pigeon-free warehouse or place of business.
Keep your business and property safe from pigeons by calling on the professional help from your local wildlife removal company. In addition, if you are in Alabama, contact Covenant Wildlife Removal for an immediate response and effective pigeon control.
