5 Signs of a Bird Infestation

Local food source

Pigeons will usually choose to roost in areas where there is a food source close by. Even if you haven’t seen any signs of bird activity yet, your property is more at risk if it’s located close to a potential food source such as a restaurant or café, or if there are open bins kept nearby.

Bird noises

A bird infestation can be very loud and you may hear the noise of birds landing and settling on roofs or bird cries- particularly if there are young chicks who may have a distinct cry.

Droppings

You might notice a concentrated amount of bird droppings (guano) in areas where birds roost. As well as the health risk guano can pose, bird excrement can also be damaging to your property. If you notice this is happening regularly or there is a build-up below potential perch areas, you might have a bird infestation.

Property damage

Pigeons in particular are known to seek out sheltered areas that are hard to reach to protect themselves and their chicks from predators. Because of these, they can cause damage to your property by moving loose roof tiles to fit into small gaps or nesting beneath solar panels.

Debris

Scattered nesting materials and bird feathers can cause damage by blocking guttering and drains so it’s important to check those areas if you notice nesting materials strewn around your property.

Where are pigeons nesting?

If you have the signs of a bird infestation but haven’t yet spotted where the birds are roosting, remember that pigeons prefer to build their nests in areas that are difficult to reach such as tall buildings, balconies, ledges and roof voids and can fit in gaps as small as 25mm.

If you think you have spotted the signs of a bird problem, the best thing to do is consult a professional pest control service who can suggest the best method to remove birds and prevent them from returning, as well as clean up the mess left behind from guano and debris.