Nuisance Birds Pigeons, Starlings, Sparrows

More than 60 transmittable diseases, some of which are fatal, are associated with Pigeons, Starlings and House Sparrows. For example:

HISTOPLASMOSIS is a respiratory disease that may be fatal. It results from a fungus growing in dried bird droppings.

CANDIDIASIS is a yeast or fungus infection spread by Pigeons. The disease affects the skin, the mouth, the respiratory system, the intestines and the urogenital tract, especially the vagina. It is a growing problem causing itching, pain and discharge.

CRYPTOCOCCOSIS is caused by a yeast found in the intestinal tract of Pigeons and Starlings. The illness often begins as a pulmonary disease and may later affect the central nervous system. Since attics, cupolas, ledges, schools, offices, warehouses, mills, barns, park buildings, signs, ets are typical roosting and nesting sites, the fungus is apt to be found in these areas.

ST LOUIS ENCEPHALITIS, an inflammation of the nervous system, usually causes drowsiness, headache and fever. It may even result in paralysis, coma or death. St Louis Encephalitis occurs in all age groups, but it is especially fatal to persons over age 60. The disease is spread by Mosquitoes which have fed on infected Sparrows, Pigeons and Finches carrying the virus responsible for St Louis Encephalitis.

SALMONELLOSIS often occurs as "food poisoning" and can be traced to Pigeons, Starling and Sparrows. The disease bacteria are found in bird droppings; dust from droppings can be sucked through ventilators and air conditioners, contaminating food and cooking utensils in restaurants, homes, and food processing plants.

In addition to being direct carriers of disease, Nuisance Birds are frequently associated with over 50 kinds of Ectoparasites, which can work their way throughout structures to infest and bite humans. About two-thirds of these pests may be detrimental to the general health and well-being of humans and domestic animals. The rest are considered nuisance or incidental pests. A few examples of Ectoparasites are:

BED BUGS (Climex lectularius) may consume up to five times their weight in blood drawn from hosts which include humans and some domestic animals. In an extreme condition victims may become weak and anaemic. Pigeons, Starlings and House Sparrows are known to carry Bed Bugs.

CHICKEN MITES (Dermanyssus gallinae) are known carriers of Encephalitis and may cause Fowl Mite Dermatitis and Acariasis. While they subsist on blood drawn from a variety of birds, they may also attack humans. They have been found on Pigeons, Starlings and Sparrows.

YELLOW MEALWORMS (Tenebrio molitor) , perhaps the most common beetle parasites of people in North America, live in Pigeon nests. They are found in grain or grain products, often winding up in breakfast cereals, and may cause intestinal Canthariasis and Hymenolepiasis.

Birds are also carriers of the WEST NILE VIRUS.

Dead Birds must be handled with care, pick them up safely with a "PickerUpper" General Purpose Picker.