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A number of options exist for managing or preventing nuisance situations
involving pigeons: Pigeons often prefer to use the interior portions of
buildings to nest and roost if an opportunity for access is provided. Openings
to lofts, steeples, vents, and eaves can be blocked with 1/2-inch galvanized
wire mesh, wood, sheet metal, or other solid construction materials to prevent
pigeons from entering.
Controlling pigeons on the exterior surfaces of buildings often requires
considerably more effort. The most effective and permanent methods of control
involve structural modifications which either physically exclude pigeons from
the preferred surface or make it difficult for the birds to rest comfortably on
the exposed building surfaces. Physical exclusion can be accomplished by
installing weather resistant netting, wire screening, sheet metal, or other
materials in a manner that will restrict access to the roosting sites. A grid of
heavy gauge monofilament line spaced at six-inch intervals may also be used to
create a fence that will interfere with the birds' normal flight pattern to the
roosting area.
One of the most effective, although expensive methods for preventing roosting
pigeons is the use of a commercially available bird barrier system consisting of
a series of metal prongs or porcupine wires along a metal base that can be
attached to a horizontal roosting surface. The needle-like strips of stainless
steel act as a prickling fence to exclude birds permanently without harm.
Pigeons prefer to roost on level surfaces. Roosting areas can be modified to
create a sloping surface, at a 60 degree incline or more, by installing wire
mesh or other material to eliminate the level surfaces. There are also a number
of non-toxic sticky substances registered as tactile repellents for bird control
efforts. Birds tend to avoid landing upon treated areas but the effectiveness is
usually lost over time.
Disposing of waste
Any feces or material that might be contaminated should be removed from work
area and should be disposed of or decontaminated properly and safely top avoid
cross contamination or it could pose a health hazard. Before an activity is
started, the quantity of material to be removed should be estimated. (If the
approximate volume of dry bat or bird feces in a building can be estimated,)
Requirements established by local and state authorities for the removal,
transportation, and disposal of contaminated waste should be followed.
Arrangements should be made with a landfill operator concerning the quantity of
material to be disposed of, the dates when the material will be delivered, and
the disposal location. If local or state landfill regulations define material
contaminated as infectious waste, incineration or another decontamination method
may also be required.
Wearing personal protective equipment (PPE)
Due to airborne work practices and dust control measures to reduce worker
exposures to contaminates, have not been fully evaluated, using
personal protective equipment (PPE) is still necessary during some activities.
During removal of an accumulation of bat or bird feces from an enclosed area
such as an attic, dust control measures should be used, but wearing a NIOSH-approved
heap respirator, nitrile gloves and disposable coveralls are recommended to
reduce further the risk of exposure.
Reducing Histoplasmosis Contamination
The primary way to try to prevent histoplasmosis is to avoid places that may
contain dirt contaminated with bird or bat droppings, such as in an attic or
pigeon coop. Also, leave piles of bat or bird droppings alone unless you take
precautions, such as wetting down the material with proper disinfectant, to
prevent the contaminated dirt from becoming airborne. You should also wear PPE
(Personal protective equipment) if working in a potential contaminated
environment, which is known to contain bat or bird feces.
Read about
HEALTH HAZARDS
ASSOCIATED WITH BIRD AND BAT DROPPINGS
Nest removal:
Although time-consuming and unpleasant, removing nests will help depress
populations. Nest destruction must be followed by pigeon-proofing the structure
to achieve maximum population control.
Toxicants:
There is only one product registered for lethal control of pigeons in California
and can only be used by a certified pest control operator. The product is
generally not appropriate or feasible for most nuisance situations. We are
strongly against this.
Trapping:
Pigeons may be live-trapped on buildings and other likely locations. Live-traps
for pigeons are available. Pre-baiting the traps with grains that the birds are
accustomed to will increase success. A variety of baits, including cracked corn,
millet, popcorn, sunflower seeds, peas, bread, and peanuts can be used. Water is
available in the trap at all times. Trapping in any given area will usually
reduce the number of pigeons quickly and humanely, it is labor intensive, and
most of the time a great reduction measure.
Acoustical and visual repellents are other means of reducing pigeon usage,
but pigeons usually become accustomed quickly to these scare devices. There is
very limited success using helium-filled eyespot balloons, predator (owl)
decoys, and reflective mylar tape in roosting areas. The same limited success is
achieved by the use of noisemaking devices such as tape-recorded bird distress
calls, firing of blank cartridges, and the use of propane-fired cannons in
agricultural areas. Combining a number of techniques and frequent changes in the
duration and location of the repellent may increase success.
"Pigeons can be controlled by capturing them in traps placed near their
roosting, loafing, or feeding sites. Shooting birds, using contact poisons, and
baiting with poisoned food should be used as last resorts and should only be
done by qualified pest control specialists. Using such methods to kill nuisance
birds may also require a special permit." (NIOSH - National
Institute of Safety and Health)
Repellents:
A sticky substance applied with a caulk gun where birds roost. Results are
immediate!!! Keep birds off their normal roosting areas with an application of
bird gel a liquid a sure-fire, non-toxic, non-lethal bird repellent. Harmless to
metal structures, sealed masonry and ornamental metals, Bird-Proof can protect
your property from messy bird deposits for up to a full year or longer with one
thorough application.
Bird-gel works in any weather, indoors or outdoors, literally anywhere: on
water tanks, trees, shrubbery, shipping docks and railroad sidings, yards,
parking lots, etc.
With one application of Bird-gel you'll drive off the birds that are
infesting your premises now and prevent new birds from taking over
BirdSlide
BirdSlide is the ultimate bird control method. In fact, it is the most
innovative bird control product out there. Using any other method would hinder
your house's appearance and is not always effective. BirdSlide creates a barrier
that makes it physically impossible for birds to land or perch.
Spikes
Dense, Transparent Needle Strips, block pest birds from their "landing strips"
very effective but expensive "keep off" sign you can post. Birds instinctively
fly to "landing strips" such as roof ledges, windowsills, building projections,
signs, statues, trusses and beams. Now you can keep them from landing on your
property permanently!
TOUGH. Long-lasting provides decades of maintenance-free protection.
TRANSPARENT. It does the job without marring the look of your property.
It's xpractically invisible.
DENSE. Top branches protrude from the vertical shafts to give
impenetrable coverage. No need to double up.
FLEXIBLE. Mounts easily on flat, curved or irregular surfaces - whether
wood, metal xor masonry.
ENVIRONMENT SAFE AND NON-LETHAL. Nothing to rust or deteriorate.
Netting
Netting is the most efficient and effective method to prevent birds from
entering parking garages, airline hangers, warehouses, loading docks, attics,
eves, courtyards and other exposed enclosures. Netting is manufactured from
knotted polyethylene twine, is flame resistant, and very strong. When installed,
netting is virtually invisible.
Feces
Clean-Up
Employees are trained, bonded and insured. Abolish Pest Control Company
will furnish all lighting, portable generator, tools, equipment, pressure
washer, bactericide and disinfectant.
Equipment and Chemicals
Abolish Pest Control Company uses a powerful, wide spectrum multi-purpose
sanitizing spray to kill harmful bacteria, viruses, fungi, mold, mildew, etc.
The bactericide and disinfectant is applied directly on bird droppings, nests
etc, to neutralize any harmful germs and enable safe removal of the waste
materials. We use a HEPA vacuum in certain areas that cannot be reached by
regular means. By thoroughly cleaning the structure, you can eliminate the scent
of their presence and help discourage their return. All feces will be double
bagged into 3 mil trash bags.
Breathing Protection
Abolish Pest Control Company uses a NIOSH approved respirator with high
efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters capable of excluding particles of
0.3-micron size.
Protective Clothing
Disposable coveralls, gloves, boots and hats are worn by Abolish Pest Control
employees to protect personal clothing from contamination with infective
organisms. We seal the glove/sleeve and boot/leg interfaces before entering the
worksite.
To protect the employees of your work place, it is required that
employees keep clear of the work site during feces removal.
To view before and after pictures please click here.
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