Birds In The News
Bird problems appear in the news more often than we might realize. In fact, a few of the more high-profile news stories in the past few years have been bird-related:
In 2007, more than 500 people were reported sick, and at least eight died due to salmonella contamination in over 400 popular peanut butter products. It may have been the largest food recall in FDA history. Investigators determined that a leaky roof was to blame for the sanitation breach, and that—as birds are known to carry a variety of infectious diseases, including salmonella—it was highly likely that pest pigeons were the vector.
In 2007, the I-35W bridge over the Mississippi River in Minneapolis, Minnesota collapsed due to weak and rusted steel beams. After closer inspection, it was discovered that the structure’s framework was covered with corrosive pigeon droppings. When bird droppings are not quickly washed away, they dry out and turn to salt and ammonia; when this later comes into contact with rainwater, small electrochemical reactions take place that speed up the rusting process.
Bird strikes cost the airline industry alone around $800 million each year. Who can forget the ‘Miracle on the Hudson’ that occurred in January of 2009? Shortly after taking off from New York’s LaGuardia Airport, Flight 1549 was struck by a flock of Canadian geese, losing thrust in both engines and forcing pilot, Captain Sullenberger, to make an emergency landing in the Hudson River. Fortunately, all 155 passengers survived.
Pest birds can be a nuisance and an inconvenience—they can also cause problems that put human beings in serious danger. It’s important to bird-proof your home and/or your business to avoid these issues. Visit www.bird-x.com to find bird and pest control products that are safe, green, eco-friendly, non-toxic, and non-harmful. Bird-X has solutions for every problem and every budget.
Written by Chrissy Hansen—Media Correspondent for Bird-X, Inc.
Kings of Leon concert halted by pigeon poop
The Kings of Leon had to stop a concert because of pigeons. (Photo courtesy of CNN)
Who expects to go to a concert and have it end three songs in due to…pigeons? That’s what happened at the Verizon Wireless Amphitheater in St. Louis this past weekend. The Kings of Leon spent Friday, July 23, dodging aerial attacks by pigeons.
An infestation of the birds in the rafters of the Verizon Amphitheatre bombarded the musicians as soon as they took the stage, according to Andy Mendelsohn of Vector Management.
“Jared (Followill) was hit several times during the first two songs,” Mendelsohn said of the band’s bassist.
The pigeons were a problem the entire night, even before the popular band took the stage. Band members reported seeing droppings on their instruments and carpet when they walked out. Soon after, the droppings began falling from the sky.
Even the opening bands, The Postelles and The Stills, dealt with the birds during their sets.
(The opening bands) came offstage complaining of getting riddled with large amounts of excrement, their publicist said…
…”We couldn’t believe what The Postelles and The Stills looked like after their sets,” Followill said.”
This didn’t have to happen, and, honestly, this never should happen. There are too many maintenance free and inexpensive ways to curtail this sort of thing. A simple, stop-the-problem-right-now solution is bird spikes. Pigeons love to roost on ledges, wires, panes — anything that’s available and easy. Spikes immediately take away that option.
The Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre only need a few spikes to get rid of the pigeons. Instead, they got a media firestorm and the worst publicity imaginable. (Photo courtesy of Bird-X, Inc.)
Don’t like the way spikes look? Well, try a roost-inhibiting gel like this one. Like spikes, this stops birds from roosting. But the gel makes the surface sticky and uncomfortable for the birds, and they’ll find another place to rest.
Outdoor music venues are ideal places for pigeons to roost. (Photo courtesy of Blisstree)
Another option are sound devices. Two in particular – the Ultrason X and the Quad Blaster QB-4 – emit ultrasonic sounds inaudible to humans. The Ultrason X has four external speakers each with 100-foot cords perfect for indoor and outdoor music venues like the one pictured above. It covers 3,600 square feet and gets rid of all types of birds, especially pigeons.
The Quad Blaster QB-4 is also great for outdoors. It’s four internal speakers emit high frequency sound waves and audio signals. The sounds confuse and frighten the birds, quickly scaring them away from the effective area up to 6,500 square feet. Either one of these sound devices, in combination with physical aversions, will greatly reduce the risk of pigeons affecting your business negatively.
This story has been all over the news, and it’s been awful publicity for all involved. What if this had been your business? What would you say or do to make this go away? Could your business handle this kind of publicity?
Situations like this are 100% avoidable. Call us up at 312-226-2473 if you have questions about bird damage or just want simple tips to get rid of them. And definitely check out our website for more info on effective bird control products.
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.