The Dangers of Bird Waste: Not Just Unsightly
Feb 13, 2020Wild birds are hosts to numerous diseases and pathogens: bacteria, fungi, parasites, and viruses.
Ordinarily, the risk to human health is minimal because the risk of coming into contact with those diseases is relatively low. However, when a property has a large population of nuisance wild birds such as Canada geese, gulls, pigeons, swallows, starlings, house sparrows, and turkey vultures, the risk of contracting these potentially deadly illnesses increases dramatically
Many diseases are spread through bird droppings. They can impact your water source, get pulled in through the HVAC if birds are congregating on the roof, or be transferred to your skin from porch railings, patio furniture or lawns.
When Do You Call the Professionals?
Birds poop a LOT. Because they need to be lightweight to fly, it is important for them to “clear the pipes” frequently. With large flocks of birds using your property and buildings regularly, the mess – and the health risk – can quickly add up.
All birds are great at pooping but Canada geese are the champions of the bird world. One Canada goose can poop up to 2 POUNDS A DAY. That means if you have 50 geese hanging out on your lawn, roof, walkways, or parking lots, be prepared for a daily deposit of up to 100 pounds. In a week, you’ll have 700 pounds of goose poop.
Gull Droppings: Especially Heinous
Geese may win for for overall amount, but gulls win for bacteria count and pathogens carried. Gull droppings are some of the nastiest poops out there and gull colonies can be tens of thousands of birds strong.
Their waste is also incredibly acidic and can eat away at roof material and ruin the soil.
Most Common Bird Pathogens
Different birds carry different pathogens. Here are some common ones that our local nuisance bird populations can carry and deposit:
- Listeria: bacteria – considered high risk for pregnant women and infants; symptoms include meningitis, miscarriage, fever, and muscle aches
- Giardia: parasite; symptoms include severe gastroenteritis
- Cryptosporidium: parasite; symptoms include severe gastroenteritis
- E. coli: bacteria – found in the digestive systems of all animals and, while most strains do not cause disease, it is used to indicate fecal material in water; symptoms include severe gastroenteritis
- Campylobacter: bacteria; symptoms include severe gastroenteritis
- Salmonella: bacteria – found in every species of bird and most reptiles; symptoms include severe gastroenteritis, flu-like
- Influenza A: virus – highly contagious, mutates frequently so may make the jump to humans, and is one of the CDC’s highest priorities; symptoms include fever, muscle aches, cough, gastroenteritis
Nip Your Poop Problem in the Butt
Contact us to request a site evaluation at no cost to you. We’ll interview you and your team to gain a thorough understanding of your bird conflicts, then we’ll assess your property and identify the right combination of solutions to make your bird problems take flight, once and for all:
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