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.

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.

As Nuisance Birds’ Activity Goes Up, So Do Cleaning Costs

Bird-X’s own Trunita Robinson has recently published a small article in Building Services Magazine, outlining the problems and costs associated with bird damage. Here it is:

Ah, spring’s in the air - but wait, so are the birds and their mess!

Facility managers have been planning for the usual tasks that spring cleaning brings, but what about birds? As nuisance birds’ activity gears up, so do cleaning costs. The number of urban birds increases dramatically around buildings and other facilities, making some areas impossible to walk through. It is difficult for some of us to think of birds as pests, but pigeons (and geese) have adapted well around facilities.

They find their way into places where some people don’t want them resting, nesting and roosting. Their presence might be enjoyable, but their droppings are not. Their behavior becomes a menace and cleaning up their “after dinner mess” is a costly, toxic endeavor.

In some instances, professionals are hired to pressure wash affected areas, which is a temporary and expensive fix. Not only is it a short term solution, which in most cases is repeated several times a year, but also costs thousands of wasted facility maintenance dollars. Therefore, implementing an effective bird management system, without washing dollars down the drain, saves money in clean-up costs, labor, city fines, and even lawsuits.

No Stroll In The Park

Birds can be more than just a nuisance. And constantly dodging pigeons and their droppings is like trying to balance an egg on top of your head.

Not only do unsightly stains and droppings (Canada goose, pigeon, etc) make for an unpleasant environment, they pose a slip-and-fall hazard. For example, the New York Transit Authority was ordered to pay former doorman from the Bronx $7.67 Million in damages resulting from a slip on pigeon droppings on subway stairs.
To avoid the liability factor, it’s vital for building & facility managers and property owners to identify the problem, find a long-term solution, and nip it in the bud.