pigeon-cartoon

Bird Control

Oddly, some cultures believe that getting bombed by one of the vilest substances in the animal world is good luck. The Turks believe that bird poop is a sign of coming wealth and prosperity, while the Russian superstition sees it as a sign of good luck. The chances of being pooped on are so small that when it happens, people have been compelled to buy lottery tickets. The prevailing thought is that if one is unlucky enough to be pooped on, they may just be lucky enough to win.


From a scientific standpoint, though, acting as a dropping target can have a bad outcome. The chemical makeup is highly corrosive, with a ph level between 3-4.5, with the lower number being more acidic. In context, acid rain has a pH level of 4.2 and sulfuric acid a pH level of 1. In commercial properties, it can damage water towers, HVAC units, and steel structures. Over time, the fluids break down into ammonia and salt, which, when combined with rainwater, causes a chemical reaction that speeds up rusting. Imagine what it can do to your clothes or skin.


If your home, business, commercial, or agricultural property has nuisance birds, it’s important to get rid of them as soon as possible. Aside from the structural damages, the droppings play a part in transmitting about 60 diseases that we can catch, including Histoplasmosis, St. Louis Encephalitis, Psittacosis, and Salmonellosis. To minimize your risk while cleaning up the mess, personal protective equipment should be worn, and allowing it to soak rather than using a high powered hose is recommended.


In New Jersey, the three top avian nuisances are pigeons, European Starlings, and the House Sparrow. True to its name, the House Sparrow build their nests where we live and work. Given a chance, they’ll fly into an open warehouse bay or door. Due to the flammable nature of the nesting material, if it is located near or in an electrical panel, it can become a fire hazard. They can damage gardens, contaminate food, create secondary pest infestations, and carry West Nile Virus.


European Starlings made their entrance into the United States in New York City in the 1890s. They cause about 800 million dollars annually in crop damages. Starlings are also one of the biggest threats to native species like woodpeckers, owls, and bluebirds because they kick them out of their nests. They can travel in flocks of up to 50,000 and are one of the leading causes of the $900 million in aircraft bird damages yearly.


Pigeons just love rooftops. With gutters and HVAC units, there is an ample water supply and many spots to nest. Clogged gutters can lead to damaged fascia, water leaks, and insect infestations. Their droppings can erode organic roofing material and window frames and are not easy to clean up. They carry more diseases than rats and also harbor parasites like ticks, fleas, and mites.


If these rats with wings or other nuisance birds or wildlife are causing issues in your Passaic, Bergen, or Essex County home or business, New Day Pest Control is here to help. Our technicians are the most finely trained in the region. Contact us today for a free estimate, and don’t let the birds get a drop(ping) on you.

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