Pigeon droppings cost historic church $48,000

The Solon Congregational Church probably wouldn't have had to replace it's steeple if they had implemented simple tactics to get rid of the pigeons.

Famous rock stars aren’t the only one’s having problems with pesky pigeons. The Solon Congregational Church in Solon, Maine had to replace their steeple because of their continuous pigeon problem.

The church is one of the town’s historic landmarks. It is very important to not only the parishioners, but also the residents in general.

In addition to being the largest building in town, it hosts nearly every wedding and burial, he said. It holds music concerts and other events. It served as a place to pray and reflect after Sept. 11 and World War I and II.

The Morning Sentinel

So in a town of only 940 (at the last census count in 2000), finding out the steeple of one of their proudest historic landmarks was decayed beyond repair was “devastating” for many. The cause? Persistent leaking and pigeon droppings.

The combination of water and dried, built-up fecal matter is dangerous. Not only toxic to humans - birds carry over sixty diseases transmitted through fecal matter - but also detrimental to surfaces. Eroding steel, metal, and, in this case, a 173-year-old steeple of the town’s beloved church.

Solon residents care about their historic church, and many donated money to replace the steeple. One congregation member even went door-to-door to get the funds for the project.

We’re kind of the little church that could,” the Rev. Nathan Richards said. With between 30 and 40 congregation members, they raised $48,000 for the work mainly through small donations.

The Morning Sentinel

Replacing the steeple was necessary, but how is the church going to defend itself against another pigeon attack? Bird spikes are a start. Since steeples use ledges and beams for internal structural support, spikes are an excellent first step for roost inhibiting.

Putting spikes on ledges is the best physical barrier for pigeons. It immediately inhibits roosting, all but eliminating the possibility of resting birds. (Photo courtesy of fencespikes.net)

What are you doing to protect your business from a possible $50,000 disaster? Bird-X can help you maintain your property, keeping it free from possible liabilities, and saving your business a fortune. Call us up and we’ll point you in the right direction.

Problem pigeons, and how to stop them

Unfortunately, not all of us see pigeons in the same light as this guy. And for good reason; pigeons carry over sixty transmittable diseases...while also being quite the nuisance.

Barry Schader had a problem. Bird droppings were constantly holding up his construction projects.

And draining his bank account.

In a Pest Control Technology Magazine article, Schader, owner of general construction firm Tischler Brothers, says bird croppings affected multiple aspects of his business.

“Bird droppings tend to seriously degrade roofing materials,” he said.

And the acidic nature of the droppings was not his only problem. Pigeons, that eat gravel, would defecate on the roof and their fecal matter would clog the drains. That created an even costlier problem: germiniation.

The high nitrogen content of the droppings offered a great environment for seeds to grow at an accelerated rate in the drainage system. Without sunlight, the plants die and clog the drains.

Pigeons love city living just as much as any urban dweller. With convenient places to roost (like this stop light) and an all-you-can-eat buffet on every block, what's not to love?

Once droppings dry, it is a race to get them off the surface to avoide degradation of the mostly organic roofing materials. Bird droppings on asphalt and pressed wood fiber, found in roofing materials, can mildew.

This is a common issue with roosting pigeons. They find a spot that provides all the amenities they need to be comfortable; places like drains provide a spot to rest, water and sometimes food. Not to mention the easy access; most people don’t really deal with the drains on the roof until they absolutely have to which, in this case, means it would be too late.

Pigeons are most densely located in the urban U.S., Mexico and southern Canada. City living provides endless amounts of food and water with practically no predators. The real estate is prime; they make their homes on window ledges, rooftops, bridges and in warehouses.

With their high dependency on humans for feeding and roosting as well as their social natures, it is no wonder people get so aggravated when they spot a “rat of the sky” setting up shop near them.

The best way to get rid of these creatures? Well, killing them sure isn’t on the list. Killing birds, while completely inhumane, is futile. It doesn’t change the fact that the area is attractive to the unwanted guest.

Bird-X's polycarbonate plastic spikes will immediately stop pigeons from roosting wherever they are bothersome. They prevent them from even attempting to stick around.

So what’s the secret? Changing the environment. Make it so uncomfortable for them to stay on your property that they have no choice but to leave immediately. The best way to do this is through a multi-sensory attack. Putting down spikes to disrupt their roosting patterns affects them physicaly, while erecting an ultrasonic sound device will annoying their hearing.

Use Broadband Pro to get rid of all birds!

Bird-X's Broadband Pro eliminates all types of birds using a dual-mode audio attack.

Get rid of birds with the Broadband Pro®, Bird-X’s sonic and ultrasonic bird expeller. This unit is fit for pretty much every bird issue you may have. It uses both sonic and ultrasonic sounds to send off a ‘warning signal’ to the birds. This dual-mode attack not only repels nearly any type of bird, but also confuses and frightens them to the point where they won’t come back.

The sounds emitted from the Broadband Pro are not artificial noises. They are sounds found naturally in nature and range from recorded bird distress signals to bird alarm calls to natural predator cries. And when it is in ‘silent’ mode, it is broadcasting an ultrasonic sound silent to humans but very annoying to birds and other pests.

One of the best features about the Broadband Pro® is the 4-speaker system. Many sound devices on the market use only one main stationary unit with no extra support. This device comes with four independent speakers, each with a 100 foot wire. The ‘surround sound’ effect will get rid of birds efficiently.

Use your Broadband Pro on docks to get rid of birds too stubborn and comfortable to leave.

And it can be used pretty much anywhere to get rid of birds including pigeons, sparrows, crows, starlings, vultures and many more. For indoor or outdoor use, in farms and barns, parking lots, apartment complexes, warehouses and docks, the Broadband Pro has a coverage area of up to 10,000 feet.

The Broadband Pro is a guaranteed win for any bird-control situation. By eliminating birds, it reduces the risk of potentially fatal diseases, health code violations, inspection failures, and lawsuits and liabilities. Because it completely gets rid of birds, it saves you money in labor (i.e. clean-up costs, messy products, etc.) and from the visual damage (like corroding) that acidic bird droppings cause.

The Broadband Pro is designed to eliminate all birds for good. This discrete, money-saving device is a must-have for small businesses, office buildings and even in the home. And as a bonus, this system includes over $100 in free visual scare devices to attack birds with an audio and visual assault! Your Broadband Pro purchase includes an Irri-Tape and Terror Eyes. Interested? Call us up at 800-860-0473 and talk to one of our experts. Or check us out on the web at www.bird-x.com!

Raising pigeons, wreaking havoc

An Illinois man likes to collect pigeons as pets. His neighbors, though, see them as more of a nuisance. (source: www.ajservicesllc.com)

Oh boy…an Aurora, IL man is bother his neighbors because of his hobby of collecting carrier and racing pigeons “to pass the time.” According to The Daily Herald, neighbors have begun to complain about the noise and the stench.

And the droppings.

Pigeon droppings are serious business. Birds carry over 60 diseases transmitted through their fecal matter. So to have a neighbor harbour up to 45 pigeons in and around his property can be dangerous. Unfortunately for nearby residents, there’s not much the city can do.

Seventh Ward Alderman Scheketa Hart-Burns was limited in what she could do to assist the unhappy neighbors. Until she help get a state law changed, municipalities were unable to regulate pigeons.

A recent amendment now allows the city to regulate but not prohibit the orderly keeping of the birds.

Luckily for the residents, a new ordinance has been passed that charges anyone housing such birds a fine for each offense. It’s a step in the right direction; human safety needs to be the top priority when it comes to having pigeons as pets. Their droppings are more than just annoying — they can be fatal.

Bird-X offers plenty of products that can get rid of pest pigeons, protecting you from possible infection. Check out our website or give us a call for a free consultation.

Bird-X is featured in Living Green Online Magazine!

Living Green Online Magazine is devoted to spreading the eco-friendly, environmentally sustainable word. And so is Bird-X! They recently published an article on green pest control and their main source was Bird-X.

Green pest control measures actually work better than lethal alternatives. Killing birds and other nuisance animals is a losing proposition; it simply creates a vacuum that invites other animals to move in. The key to success is convincing pests an area is no longer desirable.

Well said Living Green. Check the whole thing out here!

Flooding causes more problems than just water

Water damage and bad traffic isn't the only worry when it comes to flooding. Birds can become a serious problem, too. (source: livescience.com)

This winter has been an eventful one. And flooding has become as normal in certain parts of the country as double-digit inches of snow and sub-zero temperatures. From sunny southern California to the coastal northeast, flooding has become more of an issue in recent years.

The thing about floods is that they affect everything: water damage, driving, basements, etc. Not many people realize beforehand that birds become an issue once waters start rising. In a recent Associated Press article published in the Los Angeles Times, a 31-year resident of a coastal Maine town complains of the unusually severe floods this winter.

Birds aren’t that different from us; they will only invest in real estate if it has most or all of the required amenities. Ledges for roosting and resting; trees or bushes for nesting and food; and water for cleaning and food. When flooding happens in urban areas, dry land is all-of-a-sudden incredibly attractive to the feathered fliers.

Birds are always looking for a comfortable place to call home. Flooding brings waters to urban paradises, providing plenty of water and places to roost, nest, perch and an all-birds-can-eat buffet. And more birds equals more bird droppings. (source: www.calgarywildlifecontrol.ca)

More birds means more bird droppings. And birds carry over 60 diseases, some fatal, that are passed on through their fecal matter. Aesthetically, bird droppings are an eyesore. Water damage is a given in any flood situation, but acidic bird droppings can cause rusting on steel and metal.

So what can you do to stop bird damage while dealing with a flood? Bird-X carries a host of products designed to get rid of birds without driving you insane, including the Ultrason X. It emits ultrasonic sound that is inaudible to humans but loud and clear to birds. The four speakers provide a coverage of up to 3,600 square feet and it targets pigeons, seagulls, vultures and many more pest birds and small animals. The Ultrason X is perfect for outdoor use becaues of it’s power and four-speaker system.

The Ultrason X is commonly used outdoors in and near boathouses, docks and warehouses. Purchasing one of these will eliminate a bird problem during a flood. (source: www.bird-x.com)

With coastal America continuously dealing with rising waters, Bird-X sells products that stop birds from becoming an issue. Check out www.bird-x.com for other effective bird control methods.

Scotland woman gets spikes for pigeon problem

If they think your place is comfortable, pigeons will call it home. And bring their buddies.

Pigeons could be the most fearless creatures around. They practically walk right up to you on the street and leave a little something special behind to remind you they were there. An Edinburgh, Scotland woman’s home, that she shares with her two small children, was overwhelmed with pigeons. Nearly 200 of them found respite on her block, and they were waking her and her kids up at night. From the Edinburgh News:

The pigeons, which have covered windows and balconies with droppings, have been roosting en mass on the roof of the block in Hyvot Green, with some residents afraid to venture outside and others struggling to sleep at night because of the constant noise.

Luckily for the woman, a very generous local pest control company donated hundreds of dollars worth of plastic spikes like the ones below.

Bird-X's polycarbonate bird spikes sit anywhere that birds do.

Bird-X’s polycarbonate spikes are one of the most effective ways to halt the pigeon population. Putting spikes up makes roosting impossible; it’s a humane way of telling the birds to stay off your stuff. These can be placed literally anywhere that pigeons like to hang out. Chicago’s “L” track stations use these on all of their outdoor beams, signs and ledges which has cut down the number of birds bothering commuters probably by the thousands.

Chicago's CTA "L" stations are big proponents of polycarbonate spikes.

The best thing about spikes is that you can put them up once and be done with pigeons, or any other roosting birds, for good. It doesn’t get any more low maintenance than this! Bird-X also offers stainless steel spikes and three different kinds of bird netting - standard, heavy duty, and premium.

And if you check out the website, we currently have a great deal on all of our spikes. They are 15% off!

Questions? Ready to order? Call us up at 800-860-0473 to talk to one of our experts!

St. Louis University using owl decoy

The crows aren't going anywhere at St. Louis University this year. And cars all over campus are suffering.

The St. Louis University student newspaper, The University News, recently published a piece on the unusual number of crows on campus this year. Terry Palmisano, a maintenance worker for 31 years at the university, said that this was the first year that the crows actually became a problem. And they are definitely leaving their mark on campus.

“The cars in the back of the [Marchetti parking] lot are loaded with bird feces, Palmisano recently told the studnet paper. “…At night, there are hundreds, and it is freaky when they are flying all over the place.”

A biologist at the university understands why the crows are so prevalent this year.

According to Thomas Valone, a behavioral ecologist in the Department of Biology, crows often gather in urban areas for winter roosts because of big trees, open areas, unnatural lighting and food waste. Urban areas are also five to 10 degrees warmer than rural areas because of the heat island effect, which traps the sun’s into urban areas and creates a warmer environment for the crows.

To fend off the crows and the damage they leave behind, the university purchased two life-sized Great Horned Owl decoys with four-and-a-half-foot wingspans. The Great Horned Owl is a natural predator to the crows. Bird-X’s Prowler Owl fits this billing to a tee.

This visual bird scare is so effective because owls, especially Great Horn Owls, are a natural predator to ravens and crows.

The Great Horned Owl is so feared amongst birds because it captures and eats almost anything that moves. Birds instinctively avoid the Prowler Owl as they would a Great Horned Owl. And set-up for the Prowler Owl is beyond simple; it mounts practically anywhere and it is constantly moving in the wind making it more dynamic.

St. Louis University will be receiving their owl decoys by the end of the week. They have also considered sound devices, which would work wonderfully along with the Prowler Owl. Affecting multiple senses is the most effective way to eliminate pest birds.

Effective Bird Control and Why It Is Important

More than 60 transmissible diseases (some of which are fatal) are associated with geese, pigeons, starlings and house sparrows.  For example:

West Nile Virus

West Nile Virus is transmitted via mosquito bites from infected birds and animals to humans. Often serious enough to require hospitalization, it may be fatal to the elderly or immunologic ally compromised, and can leave serious after-effects among infected patients.

Histoplasmosis

Histoplasmosis is a respiratory disease that may be fatal.  It results from a fungus growing in dried bird droppings.

Candidiasis

Candidiasis is a yeast or fungus infection spread by pigeons.  The disease affects the skin, the mouth, the respiratory system, the intestines and the urogenital tract, especially the vagina.  It is a growing problem for women, causing itching, pain and discharge.

Cryptococcosis

Cryptococcosis is caused by a yeast found in the intestinal tract of pigeons and starlings.  The illness often begins as a pulmonary disease and may later affect the central nervous system.  Since attics, cupolas, ledges, schools, offices, warehouses, mills, barns, park buildings, signs, etc. are typical roosting and nesting sites, the fungus is apt to found in these areas.

St. Louis Encephalitis

St. Louis Encephalitis, an inflammation of the nervous system, usually causes drowsiness, headache and fever.  It may even result in paralysis, coma or death.  St. Louis encephalitis occurs in all age groups, but is especially fatal to persons over age 60.   The disease is spread by mosquitoes which have fed on infected house sparrow, pigeons and house finches carrying the Group B virus responsible for St. Louis encephalitis.

Salmonellosis

Salmonellosis often occurs as “food poisoning” and can be traced to pigeons, starlings and sparrows.  The disease bacteria are found in bird droppings; dust from droppings can be sucked through ventilators and air conditioners, contaminating food and cooking surfaces in restaurants, homes and food processing plants.

Besides being direct carriers of disease, nuisance birds are frequently associated with over 50 kinds of ectoparasites, which can work their way throughout structures to infest and bite humans.  About two-thirds of these pests may be detrimental to the general health and well-being of humans and domestic animals.  The rest are considered nuisance or incidental pests.  A few examples of ectoparasites include:

Bed bugs (Cimex lectularius)

Bed bugs (Cimex lectularius) may consume up to five times their own weight in blood drawn from hosts which include humans and some domestic animals.  In any extreme condition, victims may become weak and anemic.  Pigeons, starlings and house sparrows are know to carry bed bugs.

Chicken mites (Dermanyssus gallinae)

Chicken mites (Dermanyssus gallinae) are known carriers of encephalitis and may also cause fowl mite dermatitis and acariasis.  While they subsist on blood drawn from a variety of birds, they may also attack humans.  They have been found on pigeons, starlings and house sparrows.

Yellow mealworms (Tenebrio molitor)

Yellow mealworms (Tenebrio molitor), perhaps the most common beetle parasites of people in the United States, live in pigeon nests.  It is found in grain or grain products, often winding up in breakfast cereals, and may cause intestinal canthariasis and hymenolespiasis.

Visit Bird-X.com for humane, non-lethal bird control solutions that aid in reducing disease-bearing bird infestations.