Birds are such a positive part of our lives that imagining them as pests can be hard for some people. We love listening to birds singing in the morning, we feed birds in the park, and many of us even keep birds as pets. Not to mention they're a key source of food for many of us. However, in certain instances, birds can be quite a problem for home and business owners alike, with pigeons causing the brunt of the issues. That's why pigeon control shouldn't be allowed to fly under your Aiken pest control radar.
Are Pigeons Considered Intelligent?
While most people think of pigeons as quite dumb birds, they are very smart. They're among the most intelligent birds on the planet. Homing or carrier pigeons were often used to carry messages over long distances. They even played a crucial role in intelligence during the First World War.
These pigeons flew through heavy artillery fire and violent storms alike, and some even died carrying messages that saved human lives—all to ensure the delivery of crucial communications. Thanks to innovation in communications technology, carrier pigeons have now gone the way of the dodo, though wild pigeons still share their intelligence today. This fact can make controlling pigeons even trickier.
All The Problems Pest Birds Can Create For Your Business
Pest birds like pigeons can be problematic for homeowners, but they're especially troublesome for business owners. These birds often roost on flat roofs like the kind you'll find on many commercial establishments and are also attracted to businesses that deal in bulk food, such as restaurants.
Pigeons can spread disease and bring parasites of all kinds onto the properties they invade, though the main problems they cause have to do with their waste. Pigeon droppings are highly acidic and can erode even the toughest building materials, including metal and even stone.
Not only are pigeon droppings incredibly damaging to property, but they are also highly toxic and the main vector for the diseases spread by pigeons. You can get cryptococcosis, histoplasmosis, psittacosis, and even parasitic infections from coming into contact with pigeon waste. This means both your health and your property can depend on proper pigeon control methods.
It's Extremely Difficult To Get Rid Of Pest Birds On Your Own
Both residential and commercial pigeon control can be a major pain as these birds are very difficult to exclude. Most of this has to do with the fact that they fly, so barriers that work for rodents and wildlife are not going to work for pigeons. Certain pigeon control products, like bird spikes, can help keep these birds from landing or roosting on your property. However, if you have attractants, you'll still be dealing with their presence, even if they're not living on your property.
Preventive measures can help reduce your property’s appeal to pigeons. Here are some of the best practices you can follow to deter these pesky birds:
- Cover all outdoor trash cans with tight lids.
- Make sure all food stores are properly covered, especially if they're outside or in a bird-accessible shelter like a warehouse.
- Ensure customers and employees alike know not to feed pigeons.
- Don't leave pet foods or other scraps for animals sitting out.
Taking these measures can help make your property less attractive to pigeons but may not keep them away entirely.
The Safe And Effective Bird Control Solution For Your Property
Bird control—and especially pigeon control—is typically too much for most home and business owners to handle alone. That's why you should contact the experts here at Aiken Pest Control. Our professional technicians can help you exclude birds from your property and keep them from harming you and your business or residence. Don’t wait until it’s too late.