Pigeon Proofing in London and Why It’s So Important

Pigeons are a fact of life in big cities such as London. You may think they are just wandering around and minding their own business, but did you know that they can actually cause great damage to buildings? When they foul on buildings, not only does it deface the aesthetic look, but it can also cause physical damage. Uric acid can be found in a feral pigeon’s faeces which is corrosive to the exterior of a building. In addition, they can cause potential health issues as their fouling also carries various diseases such as Salmonella bacteria and Ornithosis, which is a viral disease similar to “flu”. Their nests often contain various insects and mites which can then migrate to other parts of a building, potentially causing other pest problems in these places as well.For these reasons, it is important to practice pigeon pest control on any affected areas. Humane methods of pigeon proofing are offered by a number of pest control businesses in London. These include installing netting, fine metal spikes or sprung wires onto the affected area. All of these methods force pigeons to look elsewhere for a landing spot, by preventing them from landing on the area in question. Most pest control businesses in London will first need to visit the area in question in order to ascertain the level of the pest problem and conclude which method of pigeon pest control would be better suited to resolve the issue.The feral pigeon is derived from domestic pigeons which have returned to the wild. The Rock dove is the ancestor of domestic pigeons and these birds build their homes on sea-cliffs and mountains. Because of this, feral pigeons are often found perching on the ledge of a tall building. They are completely comfortable with the busy comings and goings of everyday life and will happily build their nests in even the busiest of areas. Because of this, simply attempting to shoo them away will not resolve a pigeon problem. Appropriate pigeon proofing methods must be put into place. Without them, the problem will continue and maybe even grow as, with a constant food supply, feral pigeons can breed all year round.A good pest control firm in London will eradicate your pigeon problem in a humane manner. Some also offer a service whereby they will completely clean and remove any pigeon fowling that has defaced the area in question.