THE TROUBLE WITH PIGEONS:

The trouble isn't with pigeons, but the people who insist on feeding them in built-up urban areas. These people are well-meaning, but misguided. Pigeons are a pest. If you see more than ten roosting around your building, contact the Camden Pest Control Officer and ask what to do next.

If there is netting up on a building, it suggests that there is a previous history of problems with pigeons in the building. Report any missing netting to the Management of the building immediately.

If you  have a problem with pests, and you live in a local authority building, simply contact your caretaker / estate manager / neighbours / Residents' Association and  also ring the Camden Pest Control Service (0207-974 5976) and they will sort out your problem.


DISEASES CAUSED BY BIRDS

Disease potential which exists when birds such as pigeons are permitted to roost in areas frequented by humans. For example, pigeons roosting and nesting on roofs, around air conditioning systems, in steeples etc.

Apart from the disease hazard, wet bird droppings are slippery and can lead to people slipping and falling onto solid surfaces such as sidewalks. Bird roosts are frequently infested with flies as well as several species of parasites such as bird mites, ticks etc., which bite humans, & can readily cause infection. Bird roosts are also smelly, the presence of accumulated bird droppings can block gutters and drains and the acidity in bird droppings causes permanent damage to metal surfaces, painted surfaces etc. Quite often the cost of repair and replacement of damaged surfaces exceeds the cost of exclusion.

The white material you see in droppings is uric acid which is a very powerful acid. It will eat through steel, the final finish on automotive paint etc. and cause permanent damage. In addition, there are yeasts which live in bird faeces and as these yeasts live they also excrete acids. So wherever you have bird faeces you have the on-going generation of powerful acids and their corrosive effects.

There are over 40 known virus and 60 diseases directly associated with birds and their droppings. These diseases vary in seriousness from minor stomach ailments to fatal diseases such as histoplasmosis, which is the one disease which is now most common.

Histoplasmosis is a fungus which is found in the soil, particularly soil with high nitrogen content and it is enriched by the droppings of birds and bats. It thrives in warm temperatures and in moist conditions especially in areas such as bird roosts, caves infested with bats, school yards, chicken coops, areas where there is rotten or decaying wood etc. It is contracted when the soil from an infected area is disturbed and tiny spores are inhaled. These spores enter the lungs and can then be transported around the body.

Birds can carry histoplasmosis fungus on their legs, feet, wings etc. but they are not infected with histoplasmosis, most likely because of their high body temperature. However bats do carry and do excrete histoplasmosis. Apart from humans, animals such as dogs, cats, rats, skunks, foxes etc. also are susceptible to this disease.

WHAT CAN YOU DO?
1. Report the Pest to your caretaker/ owner of the building/ Residents' Association etc.
2. Resport the Pest to the Camden Pest Control Service
3. Ask your Residents' Association or the owner of the building that a Block Survey be done.
4. Tell your neighbours about the problem immediately

OTHER PESTS: COCKROACHES

OTHER PESTS: RATS AND MICE

The Prevention of Damage by Pests Act 1949   makes it an offence to knowingly have an infestation and not take the appropriate action.