Pigeon Problem

As you will have probably noticed Pigeons are around in great numbers, stronger than ever causing havoc wherever they go. We have lots of ongoing problem with Pigeon numbers destroying crops in vast amounts, defecating in and around a place of work or residency. Again disease from Pigeon can be extremely harmful to humans including 4 major diseases associated with pigeon droppings: Histoplasmosis, Cryptococcosis, Salmonella, Psittacosis. Pigeon droppings can also damage buildings and monuments. Pigeons can infest domestic and commercial properties with bird mites, which are tiny arachnids that feed on human and animal blood.

Pigeons in general will not be of any harm to you in a day to day environment such as the park but in some circumstances can be extremely dangerous to humans with underlying health problems around Medical Centres, Hospitals and Care Homes or Elderly People with repertory problems.

Pigeons along with some other wild birds are protected under General Licence governed by Natural England. This Licence protects Pigeons against lethal force being used until all deterrents have been exhausted such as Netting, Spikes, Birds of Prey, Scarecrows, Flags and Bangers.

We have recently been called to two situations were all our deterrents were exhausted and the Pigeons continued to create thousands of pounds of damage as well as the general health of a resident.

Our first Pigeon Control job was located in an extremely Rural area of the countryside. A flock of around 200 pigeons were destroying Oil Seed Rape plants in a 350 acre plot of land. The farmer had exhausted all deterrents and have no choice but to call for expert help. Over a couple of weeks of surveillance a Pigeon hide was erected in the heart of the feeding area and Pigeons despatched using both Air Gun and Shotgun.

Our second Pigeon control job was within the grounds of Residential Hall for the elderly. Pigeon numbers were growing rapidly and roosting in trees located around the entrance to the hall. Residents had complained of faeces on the Pathways, Railings, Door Handles and Windows as well as cars being covered whilst visiting the Hall.

After creating our Risk Assessments and Method Statements we set about deterring the Pigeons. This was a tough job, the trees around the Hall were extremely established and over 100 ft high. We had to take in to consideration the safety of residents and their state of health so bird scares were out of the question as the noise would disturb the residents. Netting was placed where ever possible and flags were used around the premises along with fake birds of prey and constant visits of technicians clapping and generally being a nuisance trying to move the Pigeons on.

After two weeks of this action nothing was moving these Pigeons on! To be honest they sat in the trees looking at us as if we were mad! We decided to use the traditional method of Air Gun Shooting with Night Vision Optics. We take our training and job very seriously with the use of Air Guns, all our technicians practice daily on our Indoor Airgun Range. The Pigeons were despatched humanly, double bagged and Incinerated.