BlogWhy Birds Can Be Pests and What You Can Do

When you think “animal control”, chances are you’re picturing something like the Looney Tunes’ Taz: a whirling dervish of fur and rabies. You’re probably not picturing a pigeon sitting comfortably in its nest. While it’s true that there are more obvious threats in animal control,birds can be a serious problem too--especially when they take up residence where they don’t belong. Common birds like pigeons, starlings, house sparrows, or geese can become pests when they build nests and rear young around your house or business. If you’ve noticed flocks of birds near your property, you’ve spotted a nest, or you’ve been having any of the problems we’ve listed below, consider contacting the professionals at Varment Guard for effective and humane bird control.

Health and Sanitation Risks

Birds like pigeons carry and may transmit diseases such as pigeon ornithosis, encephalitis, Newcastle disease, and more. Ticks, fleas, and mites frequently latch onto common small birds such as pigeons and sparrows. These hitchhikers may become a health hazard to you when birds bring them to your property. People commonly transmit diseases, ticks, or both when handling bird bi-products such as nest materials, feathers, or waste. Bird waste carries several disease-causing pathogens that may infect surfaces or water around your property. It could also make railings, steps, or fire escapes slippery. Bird waste can be particularly hazardous for pets that spend time outside. Dogs might transmit diseases from rolling, playing in, or eating bird waste or other bi-products. If birds die on your property, their remains may attract pests and disease. Ick.

Property Damage

As if the health hazards weren’t bad enough, bird waste tends to be toxic. Enough of the gunk can damage wooden varnish or finish, strip away paint, and even compromise the structural integrity of your roof or deck. Bird debris like nesting materials can also place undue strain on gutters, downspouts, and vents. In some circumstances, particularly bold birds may even chew or pick away at housing material to create nests and build a shelter. Along with physical property damage, birds can just make a mess. Stains left behind by sticky bird poop can drive down property value. If bird infestations damage your roof or siding, you may have to make expensive repairs or replace something sooner than you’d like.

Home Operation Interference 

When birds infest homes or businesses, they usually build their nests in out-of-the-way locations. That means they’re looking for vents, gutters, rafters, ledges, or pretty much any other elevated, sheltered spot. The problem is, once they’re moved in, their nests and other droppings can prevent those areas from doing their jobs. Nests might clog a vent, or toxic droppings may contaminate your home’s air supply. Debris left behind in gutters can keep water from flowing properly during storms. If they build near electrical installations, they can damage wiring and cause short circuits or even fires. On a simpler level, they might just screw up your outdoor furnishing. No one wants to sit on a deck chair covered in bird poop, to say nothing of your grill.

Psychological Distress 

The simplest reason you don’t need a bird infestation is also the reason that might matter the most to you: birds can be annoying. Don’t underestimate the toll simple, preventative inconveniences could take on your emotional wellbeing. Anything that stresses you out in your own home is a problem you need to take care of. Every kind of common pest bird can create different inconveniences in your day-to-day life: Geese are scary when it comes to protecting their kids. No one wants to get screamed at every time they walk out to get the paper. Starlings “sing” to one another… loudly… first thing in the morning. Pigeons… well, they’re just dumb. A scared pigeon trapped in your house will ruin your whole day!   It’s weirdly easy to forget that you don’t have to deal with birds. Just like any other animal, they’re an important part of the natural world. However, they can also create problems when they stumble out of the natural world and into your home. When birds start making trouble in your neighborhood, give Varment Guard a call. We have the skill, experience, and resources required to humanely and effectively solve your bird problems for good. After all, we’ve been helping businesses with their bird problems for over two decades!