In addition to the fact that bird populations can be frustrating and plain annoying, they carry with them many more hazards than meet the eye. Many aren’t aware of the fact that some of the most common birds they’re used to seeing in trees, in the street or park are actually transporting diseases unknown to the average person. Bird control advocates often state how oblivious we tend to get when talking about birds, as most only see the good side of their presence. However, birds can cause many health related issues if they decide to occupy your home or business.

Most notably, pest birds like starlings, sparrows, and pigeons carry the most risk, as they tend to leave behind nests and droppings that have the potential of causing serious health issues for humans. These feathered urbanites primarily target warm nest sites like vents, attics, and soffits. Even after the birds have left the nesting material they leave behind will continue to block vents and prevent appliances from functioning properly.

One of the main problems associated with birds are their droppings. Depending on their nesting location, these droppings, as well as any disease-causing bacteria or spores within them, contaminate the air you breathe. In case you’re about to dismiss this as hear-say, remember that birds can at times host 60 types of infectious diseases internally, as well as over 40 types of parasites. Any one or more of these can easily spread to you, your family, pets and employees via droppings. This reason alone shows the importance of  bird control.

Furthermore, the greatest risk of infection for humans is when dry bird feces become airborne and travel through open windows and air vents. Some of the conditions that arise in humans in such cases include:

• Louis Encephalitis: this is an inflammation of the nervous system, which if left untreated can result in death
• E. coli: is transferred to food from cow manure via bird’s digestive system however birds can’t get infected with it
• Cryptococcosis: begins as a pulmonary disease and may later affect the central nervous system
• Histoplasmosis: respiratory disease that if left untreated may result in death

In addition to carrying these diseases birds are also known to harbour more than 50 different types of ectoparasites, which go through various structures and end up infecting and biting humans. Examples include the West Nile virus, yellow mealworms, chicken mites and bedbugs. All in all, around two-thirds of the mentioned pests can become detrimental to the health of domestic animals and humans. It would be wise to contact your local bird control company if you have any concerns or require assistance with prevention and removal of wildlife.