Pigeons, along with other birds, are known to harbor over 60 types of diseases and 40 types of parasites that can be found in their feathers but are mostly in their droppings. Bird control isn’t just to protect homes and commercial property from the damages and filth that they leave behind, but also to protect them from these serious health risks. A-Tex Pest Management will share more of the dangers that pigeons and other bird pose and why you will want a tight bird control program for your home and business.
Histoplasmosis Definition
Histoplasmosis is a fungus that is born from pigeon and starling droppings. It even can be found in other birds and bats. As moisture and the droppings converge the fungus can begin to develop and the spores will later become airborne. This is how histoplasmosis is often transmitted to humans. Nests and roosting areas for birds often get covered with their droppings. If the droppings are never cleaned out, the fungus will become more enriched and within two years of fungal growth, the disease organisms found in the fungus will reach significant levels where health risks increase. Once the spores have become airborne or are inhaled, they can cause minor influenza and other relative illnesses, high fevers, blood abnormalities, pneumonia, and in some cases even death has occurred due to exposure of harmful this fungus. It is recommended that those who clean up after birds and their droppings wear a breathing mask to prevent inhalation of any spores of the histoplasmosis.
Cryptococcosis Transmission
Another common fungus that breeds in a pigeon’s droppings and in roosting nests is cryptococcosis, which is a disease fungus. It is important to know where roosting or nest sites are located so you can prevent nesting or roosting and keep cryptococcosis away. Some common locations for nesting sites that you may want to be aware of are in attics, cupolas, ledges, water towers, and of course, rooftops and under eaves. One experiment revealed that 84 percent of the samples taken from pigeon droppings in roosting sites had a significant amount of infection in them, including Cryptococcosis.
Other Diseases Caused By Pigeon Droppings & Feathers
Some other diseases found in pigeon and other bird droppings are:
• Bacteria – Paratyphoid, Vibriosis, Salmonella, Listeriosis, Pasteurellosis
• Fungal – Histoplasmosis, Candidiasis, Sarcosporidiosias, Blastomycosis
• Viral – Encephalitis, Meningitis, Newcastle Disease, St. Louis Encephalitis
• Protozoal – Toxoplasmosis, Trichomoniasis, American Trypanosomiasis
This list is just some of the common known diseases that pigeons and other birds can carry. However, this list of diseases isn’t the end of the list of health risks birds can pose either. Birds can carry a host of parasites, such as dust mites, bed bugs, and ticks. Most are found in their nests, but others can be found on the bird’s feathers as well.
Nuisance Pigeon & Bird Inspections, Control, Removal & More in Austin, Round Rock, Leander, Pflugerville & Cedar Park, Texas
Roosting birds cause many problems involving human health along with damages to structures. The cost to repair them adds to the long list of why you don’t want to host pigeons or any other birds for that matter. Birds can’t be completely prevented. However, you can prevent them from nesting or roosting on your home, fences, and around the commercial property by using the proper bird control methods. If you need a professional pest control company to help with bird control, contact A-Tex Pest Management today.