| Each year pest birds such as pigeons, seagulls and | | | | heavy-duty plastic bags or another type of secure |
| crows cause thousands in damage and clean up costs | | | | container and discarded with the regular trash. |
| to building owners, homeowners and government | | | | Once the structures are cleaned they may also be |
| agencies. Pest bird droppings can carry over 60 | | | | disinfected. You can use a simple solution of ammonia |
| transmittable diseases. Several of these diseases | | | | or bleach and water and apply to the surface to |
| have been known to be transmitted to humans and | | | | disinfect and remove the odor associated with pest |
| other animals. Even though these diseases pose | | | | bird droppings. |
| minor public health threats, they can be further | | | | The key to reducing the risk of disease from bird |
| minimized if safety measures are taken. Wearing | | | | droppings is to create an environment that excludes |
| protective clothing like disposable coveralls, boots, | | | | them from affected areas: |
| gloves, and respirators should be used for protection. | | | | 1) Eliminate Food Sourcesa. Clean up trash bins and |
| If a high-powered water hose is used to strip off | | | | garbage areasb. Discourage people from feeding |
| dried droppings, dust control measures such as | | | | birdsc. Pick up trash and food scraps in outdoor |
| containing the area with plastic sheeting, should be | | | | eating areas |
| taken. Wetting down the work area will prevent | | | | 2) Eliminate Nesting / Roosting Areasa. Use some |
| inhalation, reduce the risk of infection and will also | | | | sort of physical deterrent to keep birds from landing |
| prevent the spread of dust outside the work area. | | | | and roosting on flat surfaces; sound deterrents to |
| Those with a compromised immune system such as | | | | scare pest birds from outdoor areas or visual |
| people living with HIV/AIDS or cancer patients should | | | | deterrents to keep them out of gardens and |
| not be directly involved in the removal of the | | | | vineyards. |
| droppings. Always wash hands and any exposed skin | | | | 3) Call For Help!a. Contact a local pest control or |
| before eating or drinking and when finished with | | | | animal control company and have them install a bird |
| work. | | | | control system. |
| Several alternatives to using a high-powered water | | | | It is important to keep buildings and other areas that |
| hose exist. One such alternative includes soaking the | | | | people inhabit free of pest birds and their debris. |
| droppings with water and then shoveling it. Workers | | | | Installing a bird control system will save time and |
| should never clean DRY bird droppings from surfaces | | | | money spent on clean up of bird droppings and |
| as the dust might be inhaled and transmit disease to | | | | damage made by the birds. |
| the worker. The wet material should be collected in | | | | |