According to a recent report by Medical News Today, birds and their droppings can carry more than 60 diseases. While birds are an essential part of a healthy ecosystem, bird infestations in and around homes and businesses can have serious consequences. When wild birds nest or gather around buildings, the result is not just messy. It can also be dangerous to human health.
Are Birds a Health Hazard?
Birds in their natural environment are not a health hazard. Problems only arise when wild birds make their homes in and around human habitats. Owners of pet birds and poultry are usually aware of potential health risks associated with birds and take precautions such as regularly cleaning cages, washing hands and using sanitizers.
Do Outside Birds Carry Diseases?
While nesting house sparrows or visiting pigeons might be fun to watch, their droppings may contain parasites and bacteria. In addition, droppings often attract other pests, including rodents, flies and cockroaches. Nests may even contain bird mites and fleas that bite people and can lead to ongoing infestations in homes.
Zoonotic diseases are those transmitted from vertebrate animals, including birds, to humans. While these diseases carried by birds do not affect the birds themselves, they can cause serious human conditions. Birds, their droppings or even contact with their feathers or nests can lead to diseases such as:
- Cryptococcosis: A disease caused by an airborne fungus sometimes spread by pigeons and starlings.
- Salmonella: A common condition often called food poisoning. Humans can become infected from contact with the feces of an infected bird.
- Histoplasmosis: A fungal lung infection that can be caused by breathing in spores found in dry bird droppings in some regions of the United States.
How Do I Protect My Property From Bird Infestations?
Keeping birds away from homes and businesses can be tricky. It requires a proactive strategy to discourage them from nesting in and around your buildings. Some tried and tested tips include sealing off entry points, regularly inspecting overhanging roofs for first signs of swallow nests, and removing any potential food sources around your house. This can include pet bowls kept outside or open compost piles close to your buildings.
Urban Jungle Has Bird Removal Solutions to Keep You Safe
Our professional team at Urban Jungle has the expertise and experience to manage bird infestations by removing, trapping and excluding them, and we can find solutions to prevent future issues. For all your bird-related problems, contact us today!