Bird Poop and Liabilities to your Business

Business owners face enough liabilities these days without having to worry about those created by pest birds. But as business owners have learned, bird droppings can lead to all sorts of liabilities in and around a business. And the sooner these potential liabilities are addressed, the better.

Disease and Health Liability

According to Medical News Today, bird droppings have been known to carry any of 60 known diseases—including histoplasmosis, encephalitis, salmonella, meningitis, toxoplasmosis, and even the West Nile virus. Besides being direct carriers of disease, pest birds are often linked to as many as 50 types 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. Left to gather on roofs, near HVAC units, and rooftop vents, dried bird feces can quickly build up and enter buildings through vents, causing respiratory problems for workers or tenants inside. For those who own or operate outdoor eateries, bird droppings on tables, benches, and chairs can become a serious and costly problem. If bird droppings are present where food is stored, prepared, or served, these areas may be cited by health inspectors and even shut down.

Carbon Monoxide Liability

Built-up bird droppings and nests around ventilation systems can block airflow to a building, resulting in a dangerous buildup of carbon monoxide inside. A family of five in Cleveland was killed by carbon monoxide poisoning just before Christmas in 1995 because the exhaust system of their fireplace was blocked by bird nests.

Slip-and-Fall Liability

Bird droppings are extremely slippery when wet—either when fresh or when moistened by dew or light rain. A Bronx jury awarded a man $1.36 million for pain and suffering after he slipped down a flight of stairs, causing spinal injuries that left him permanently and totally disabled. The jury determined that the fall was the result of pigeon droppings that had accumulated on the stairs leading to a subway station.

Structural Liability

Drainage systems backed up by bird droppings can damage roofs, causing them to leak and even collapse. This can be a huge liability if anyone is injured inside. A gas station awning in Vacaville, CA, nearly struck a woman who had just finished filling her tank. According to a Vacaville Fire Battalion Chief, the section of the roof was brought down by the sheer weight of accumulated pigeon droppings.

The Solution: Bird B Gone

Bird B Gone has decades of combined experience in how to get rid of pigeons and other pest birds. We can help you with product selection, installation, and cleanup. Just call us at 800-392-6915 for a catalog, pricing, or product samples, or email us at nobirds@birdbgone.com. We also work with a network of authorized installers—call today to connect with a trained bird control professional in your area.