The Notorious P.I.G.E.O.N. - Genuine Pest Control

I’ve always loved animals. Always.

From boyhood and adolescence to adulthood, I have always had deep friendships with critters. Whether it be my childhood dog Ginger, my parents current dog Chloe, or the very felines that are currently climbing all over my office and computer as I write this(my boss and the owner of this company also loves animals, hence all the cats here.) I love wild animals, from the ground squirrel, to the amazing elk and bighorn sheep we get to see in the surrounding high desert of the Las Vegas Valley. I even love birds….Ravens….Crows…Doves…

HOWEVER….

There’s just something about Pigeons that makes me, and a lot of people, cringe.

They’ve been called “rodents with wings” & “disease carriers.” They have been alluded to as possibly the only creature besides the Cockroach that would outlive humans in a post-apocalyptic wasteland.

What I’m wondering is….what are the facts?

Are they really that bad?

And if so, what should be done?

To establish a firm foundation of truth about those unwanted pests that perch on our roofs, create nests in our overlaps, and build homes where they quite frankly, weren’t invited, I’d like to share what I’ve learned recently through research, personal experience in this line of work, and the knowledge from the department of agriculture.

1. HEALTH RISKS FROM PIGEONS

Do pigeons and other pest birds really represent a significant health threat for people? The simple answer is yes….

ZOONOTIC DISEASE

Pigeons have, in fact, been positively identified with a long list of zoonotic (transmissible to man) diseases. This includes illnesses associated with bacteria, viruses, endo and ectoparasites, fungi and protozoa. Many of these diseases can lead to debilitating and life threatening ailments. The World Health Organization (“WHO”) in their publication “Public Health Significance of Urban Pests (2008)” dedicated a chapter to Birds (p239-287). In the introduction, the author provides a preview of bird transmitted diseases,

Some arboviruses (the agent of diseases such as St. Louis encephalitis virus and West Nile virus);
Chlamydophila psittaci (the etiological agent of ornithosis);
Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (the agent of Lyme disease);
Campylobacter jejuni (the agent of campylobacterosis);
Salmonella enterica serovars Enteritidis and Typhimurium (the agents of salmonellosis);
Histoplasma capsulatum (the agent of histoplasmosis); and
Cryptococcus neoformans (the agent of cryptococcosis).

“Cases of human disease acquired directly from urban birds or from their habitats have been reported for ornithosis, histoplasmosis, salmonellosis, campylobacterosis, mycobacteriosis, cryptococcosis, and toxoplasmosis”.

2. HOW CONCERNED SHOULD YOU BE?

We should emphasize that the long list of diseases are most often not common occurrences, and can require a unique set of conditions for transmission. Immune compromised patients, children and the elderly are at more risk than a normal healthy person. That said, the risks should not be underestimated either and pigeons can represent the source of certain very common infections. For example, salmonella, a bacteria, represents the causative agent for one of the most common enteric infections in people. Pigeons can also harbor a range of e. coli, some of which can represent a serious health risk to people and animals.

Common sense dictates that people and employees in immediate proximity to pigeons and their feces, should minimize exposure, wash hands frequently and avoid direct contact with the birds or what they leave behind.

Additional Reading

If any part of those facts I just shared resonate with you in any way, well, they should. I’m not in the business of fear-mongering or scare tactics. I do try to be a man of wisdom and understanding, and with that I try to implement practical approaches to the knowledge I learn. I have a family of my own. I have a young child. I have a woman I’m planning a wedding with, and another child in the future. It’s in my best interest(and I believe everyone’s) to make their health and the health of their loved ones, a priority in their life.

Since starting in this line of work, I’ve seen some stuff…..

The stuff of horror movies and disgusting National Geographic specials.(I’ve even felt sick after a day of not properly wearing my safety equipment and working on relocating and cleaning up after pigeons.) Pigeon Control is important because, taking control of our health is important.

Wholeness is important.

If we aren’t taking care of ourselves physically, how can we expect to be healthy in other ways? I.E. mentally, emotionally, even spiritually.

The good news is that there are many companies that specialize in Pigeon Control and Exclusionary Work/Clean Up. We ARE one of those companies. It’s one of our Main Specialties.

We take pride in knowing the level of quality, customer service, and problem solving we employ to each infestation and situation. We take pride in knowing we can provide customers with peace of mind when it comes to the health of their family, and the health of their homes and investments. Today, I only briefly covered a fraction of what Pigeons can do to the physical body. Next time I will delve more in to the damage they can and have caused to countless homes, and the financial burden that can come with not resolving the problems early on.

THE GOOD NEWS: The good news(and there’s always good news) is that there are people who have dedicated their lives and careers to the proper way of resolving these issues. I’m proud to be a member of a company that takes this work, like all the work we do at Genuine Pest Control, very seriously.

So remember, if you have a problem with some unwanted guests on your roofs, under your solar panels, or nesting and just creating a mess, then we have a solution. Please do not hesitate to call us for a FREE Estimate so we can help you move on to the more important things in life.

Somebody’s gotta do this kind of work, and I’m proud that I do it with the best of the best.