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HERE’S THE SCOOP ON PIGEON POOP Pigeons dont pay rent.

Did you ever wonder why some areas of NYC, or some specific blocks, or even a specific ledge in a courtyard will hold pigeons while others dont? If you have had to maintain property dam- aged by Pigeons then you may have been thinking just this. Pigeons tend to nest & roost in the same locations they were raised and therefore a generational memory may be holding your property hostage to an extended family of birds. Although they can be beautiful to watch while flying as a flock in the air, they are much less attractive posted up over your awning with a streak of runny green stained paint where the acidic droppings accumulate on a walking path for your customer, employees or tenants. Pigeon are social creatures and pigeon “society” consists of “leaders” and “followers.” In fact there are 1 pigeon leader per approximately 100 pigeon followers. The “leaders” scout food within a 1-5 mile radius and then alerts the “followers” where the action is and they get to enjoy the fruits of the leaders labor, with very little effort or risk. In some ways pigeon society reflects human society. Pigeons can cause more severe problems than just ruining paint jobs, clogging up exhaust terminations and nesting in HVAC Equipment; they can cause over 65 diseases through pathogens like Toxoplasmosis, Cryptococcosis & even Parrot Fever. By contrast rats and mice carry 35. We don’t fear pigeons like we do rats because of their friendly disposition but that can work against you in a food service or hospitality environment. Often- times the birds will congregate around the same areas people do in hopes of getting fed accidentally or by a “feeder” who regular- ly frequents the area. Pigeon droppings can infect people in the

surrounding areas long after the birds have left or the droppings dried. If a maintenance worker decided to clean an old crevice with accumulated dried droppings this could potentially spread spores and bacteria to unknowing people within 150 feet. It is crucial to keep pigeons out of areas where humans frequent and once a generational problem, or dried accumulated droppings situation occurs it may be best to call in a professional. NYC Health Department accepts complaints of unsanitary con- ditions deriving from pigeons or wildlife at #311 and states on their website “Property owners are required to clean up pigeon droppings on or originating from their property.” Don’t Risk the health of your workers and customers or a Health Department fine.NYC Health Department also issues permits for pigeon removal and a licensed NWCO Operator is required to perform the work. A great way to reduce pigeon populations is by trapping the resident birds using an ethical and humane program, and then excluding future birds from the area using optical sensory dis- tortion devices or netting. Exclusion varies and you get what you pay for in terms of permanence and efficacy. Removing the food sources is important as well and often times when humans feed birds habitually it brings other critters such as squirrel, racoon, and rats to the party as well. If you have a pigeon problem at your facility it may be best to give the professionals a call.