Is your business suffering because of unwanted birds making a mess, scattering rubbish and creating disturbance?

Unfortunately, a few species of birds come into direct conflict with humans when they take roost in or around our homes or businesses. These birds can cause real problems, including excessive nuisance and public health concerns. Urban birds such as gulls and pigeons are great opportunists. Handed a ready food source and sheltered nesting site, these birds can grow rapidly and what initially attracted a few birds can soon become a thriving colony.

There are more than 110 pathogens reportedly carried by pigeons, and there is plenty of research to suggest other wild birds pass on diseases to humans. In 2019, two patients died in a Glasgow hospital who had contracted a cryptococcal fungal infection which was subsequently linked to pigeon droppings. Diseases can be transmitted from bird droppings and the birds themselves. When dry, pigeon droppings can become airborne in small particles, which can lead to respiratory complaints. You should always wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) when cleaning up bird droppings.

Research suggests that up to 49% of feral pigeons could be infected with Chlamydia psittaci. Human infection is called ornithosis, and symptoms include chills, fever, sweating, severe weakness, headache, blurred vision, pneumonia, possibly death. Food-borne bacteria can be spread to humans if you have poor food hygiene standards or come into direct contact with droppings (wash your hands straight away)! Pigeons, gulls, house sparrows and starlings have the potential to carry food-borne diseases - it is therefore essential to keep them away from food manufacturers and distributors.

If you have birds roosting in and around your business then you’ll want to seek professional help as soon as possible. In the UK, allowing birds to infest a food business violates the Food Safety (General Food Hygiene) Regulations 1995, and could result in prosecution of the food company. If you don’t address health and safety hazards, you could be putting your staff and customers at risk. By investing in a professional bird management contract, you can save money in the long run by reducing damage to your property or stock. The reputational damage caused by a bird infestation can be catastrophic. Bird droppings make any business appear unclean and imply a state to disrepair. Would you choose to use a company covered in dangerous poo?