Pigeon Problems: 3 Diseases Your Cooing Neighbors Can Spread To You And Your Family

Blog

Aside from hobbyists who breed fancy pigeons, most people strongly dislike the troublesome birds, especially when pigeons build nests outside of windows and on top of roofs. When this happens, homeowners experience firsthand the two things pigeons are notorious for: cooing and pooping. If you have pigeons sitting outside your house, you know all about these two things. But what should really concern you is the fact that pigeons spread many diseases, including the three listed below.

1. Salmonella

As anyone who has prepped or cooked food at a restaurant knows, salmonella is a major problem. It can ruin the best of days for anyone who experiences its toxic effects. Salmonella is frequently described as a food-borne illness caused by undercooked chicken. What many people don't realize, however, is that salmonella is also a pigeon-borne illness caused by contact with pigeons and their droppings.

When experiencing salmonella poisoning, those infected typically endure one or more of the following symptoms:

  • nausea
  • stomach cramps
  • vomiting
  • fever
  • bloody stools
  • diarrhea

Should you or a loved one contract salmonella from an infected pigeon, visit a doctor who will prescribe antibiotics to kill the salmonella bacteria.

2. Histoplasmosis

The word "histoplasmosis" sounds scary—and it should. The fungal disease uses spores to spread itself through the air. Once contracted, the disease can be deadly.

While somewhat rare, histoplasmosis comes from soil that is contaminated with pigeon poop. Thanks to the rich nutrients in the soil, the fungus in the pigeon poop thrives, and the resulting airborne spores can then infect people and pets.

Here are some typical symptoms of histoplasmosis:

  • fever
  • cough
  • headaches
  • rash
  • joint pain

Even though it is quite rare, histoplasmosis can cause pneumonia and death. Protect your family from this fungal disease by getting rid of pigeons and their droppings.

3. Cryptococcosis

Cryptococcosis is another scary-sounding fungal disease. Unlike histoplasmosis, cryptococcosis doesn't require nutrient-dense soil to spread its spores. Instead, the spores are spread directly from dry pigeon droppings. Pigeon nests, which are often caked with dry droppings, are particularly troublesome.

After inhaling cryptococcosis spores, people become infected, and they typically experience the following symptoms:

  • fever
  • cough
  • breathing problems
  • blisters

Like histoplasmosis, cryptococcosis infections can be fatal, so never ignore the above symptoms after coming into contact with a pigeon nest.

Pigeons are more than just a nuisance—they are dangerous. Protect your family by having an experienced pest control team remove the pigeons from your property today. For more information or assistance, contact companies like Mr. Bug Killer Inc.

Share

1 March 2017

how to eliminate pests for good

Do you spend your spring and summer months battling the pests that enter your home? There are many ways to prevent the intrusion of ants, roaches, flies, mosquitoes, mice and other pests in your home. I own several rental properties that I have to be sure do not get infested with all sorts of pests and have learned a lot about preventing the intrusion to begin with. You can learn from my personal experiences and keep the pests from ever becoming a serious issue in your home. With a few minor changes to the home and working with a skilled pest control agent, your home can be pest-free forever!