Common Diseases that Pest Birds Carry and Transmit to your Family

If you are one who puts bird baths and seeds out for the birds, beware. If you do not want the birds around and have not instituted any type of bird control strategy, again, beware. You are underestimating the risks to your health and the welfare of your family. You are inviting disease and damage into your home environment.

Disease

According to Merriam-Webster dictionary, the definition of disease is, “an impairment of the normal state of the living animal or plant body or one of its parts that interrupts or modifies the performance of the vital functions: sickness, illness” Birds are the perfect carriers for disease. They create droppings wherever they land, and they often find a cozy spot and stick to that location. Most diseases are found in droppings where they are allowed to accumulate.

Histoplasma capsulatum (histoplasmosis) is caused by a fungus. Both humans and animals can be affected by this disease. The disease is transmitted by airborne fungus spores from soil polluted by pigeon, starling and many other birds' droppings. It is found mostly in soil, but there are cases where the disease is found in droppings in attics. You can become infected when the spores are inhaled. The spores are carried by the air. When a roost is disturbed, this is likely to happen. Most that are infected experience mild symptoms similar to influenza-like symptoms. On occasion, however, histoplasmosis can cause high fevers, blood abnormalities, pneumonia and at its worse, death. This is why bird control is needed before the birds have an active and large roost.

Cryptococcus neoformans (cryptococcosis) is another disease that is a fungus. Pigeon droppings seem to be the most important source of the disease. It is found in accumulated pigeon droppings around nesting and roosting sites. This can include attics, ledges, near rooftop ventilation systems and air conditioning units. Similar to histoplasmosis, most cryptococcosis infections are mild. Persons with weakened immune systems are more susceptible to infection from diseases caused by bird droppings. Cryptococcosis also is transmitted by inhaling the yeast-like cells of the organism. Two forms of the disease occur in humans. The first is a lung infection that spreads to other parts of the body, especially the central nervous system. If not treated, it can have a fatal result. There is also a skin (cutaneous) form that comes out like ulcers with nodules under the skin or acne-like eruptions on the skin. It is more rare, but there is a chance of occurrence.

There are other diseases such as psittacosis that can be mild to serious. Pigeons and other birds have also been implicated in the spread of West Nile Encephalitis virus. Along with various diseases, the birds, their roosting and nesting sites harbor mites, ticks and other parasites. Bed bugs are another culprit. When these diseases and parasites and bugs are near ventilations systems and rooftops, there is a chance for them to enter into your home.

Damage

Not only is the transmitting of diseases an issue, but droppings also cause structural damage. The droppings are very acidic and will ruin paint, wood, roofing materials and even metals. Millions of dollars are spent each year replacing and repairing the damage from pest bird’s feces. It saves time and money to act before there is a serious problem.

Solutions

There are many solutions to the pest bird problems. If you are unsure what to do, there are bird control specialists that can guide you along the path to a bird free home. Bird infestations should be taken seriously. The bird control experts will help you assess the problem and come up with an economical solution.