by Pigeon Patrol | May 14, 2022 | Bird Netting, Bird Spikes, Columbidae, Doves
A young woman in Fredericton is singing on the street to call attention to the disease that made her blind.
Erica Richards lost her sight last year after developing Cryptococcus meningitis.
Cryptococcus meningitis is a potentially fatal swelling of the membranes surrounding the brain. The disease is caused by fungus that lives in the guts of pigeons and other birds, such as chickens.
People can breathe it in if they’re exposed to pigeon droppings.
The 24-year-old was living in a house that had a pile of pigeon feces in the attic, and she also had a compromised immune system from chemotherapy .
“A reverse migraine — I needed light, I needed sound. I needed neck massages. Couldn’t lay down, couldn’t sit up. Couldn’t eat. I was vomiting. And then I started having double vision, quadruple vision, then seizures. And then I ended up in hospital,” she said as she described her symptoms.
Richards sings to supplement her $135 a month disability payment.
Kevin Forward is an infectious disease specialist who teaches at Dalhousie Medical School in Halifax.
“I think it’s pretty common sense. Move to avoid being in a situation where there are a lot of pigeon droppings, particularly if you’re disturbing them, cleaning them up, sweeping them,” Forward said.
“Those kind of situations should certainly be avoided. But if you’re in the park that has some pigeons around, I think the risk is infinitely small.”
Pigeons are part of the urban landscape, but they are known to carry a long list of disease-causing organisms — such as Chlamydia and salmonella.
That, along with complaints about them damaging roofs, led Fredericton to add pigeons to the city’s animal control bylaw last year.
Property owners are now prohibited from spreading feed or anything else that would attract pigeons.
Richards wants to make sure people know the risk of coming into contact with pigeon feces.
“To draw attention, to raise awareness so people will ask questions, so they will know what the symptoms are,” Richards said. “So that way, they can be warned ahead of time, before what happened to me happens to them.”
Next month, she’ll be going to a school sponsored by the Canadian National Institute for the Blind to finish high school and to get matched with a seeing-eye dog.
She hopes to go on to study law.
Pigeon Patrol Products & Services is the leading manufacturer and distributor of bird deterrent (control) products in Canada. Pigeon Patrol products have solved pest bird problems in industrial, commercial, and residential settings since 2000, by using safe and humane bird deterrents with only bird and animal friendly solutions. At Pigeon Patrol, we manufacture and offer a variety of bird deterrents, ranging from Ultra-flex Bird Spikes with UV protection, Bird Netting, 4-S Bird Gel and the best Ultrasonic and audible sound devices on the market today.
Voted Best Canadian wholesaler for Bird Deterrent products ten years in a row.
Contact us at 1- 877– 4– NO-BIRD, (604) 585-9279 or visit our website at www.pigeonpatrol.ca
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by Pigeon Patrol | Nov 29, 2020 | Bird Deterrent Products, Pigeon Patrol's Services, Pigeon Spikes, Pigeons in the News
Did you know Pigeons had a part in many religions? Keep on reading to find out more!
Pigeons In Religions
Pigeons in Judaism and Christianity
The dove features strongly in both the Old Testament and the New Testament, and references to frequent sacrifices exist in both. There are a number of references to the sacrifice of doves in the Talmud, a series of Jewish texts compiled between AD 250-500. Although the texts were compiled in AD 250-500, they are thought to relate to much earlier periods. The texts not only describe the sacrifices but also how the sacrificial birds should be reared and the correct ways of killing them. The dove is better known for its part in the Old Testament story of the Great Flood, however, when one returned to Noah with an olive branch. As a result, the dove has always been linked with peace and good news and is still released at the start of the Olympic Games today for this reason.
Pigeons and the Romans
Roman Mosaic
3rd Century AD
Pigeons in religions. The Romans had a great affinity with the pigeon and although they sacrificed the dove to the goddess Venus, and therefore revered the bird, they also bred different varieties and used the pigeon widely as a messenger. Historian and philosopher Caius Pliny, writing in the 1st century AD, says: “Many people have quite a mania for pigeons, building turrets for them on house roofs and tracing the pedigrees of single birds…”. The pigeon is commonly depicted throughout the Roman period but never in more detail than the superb Dove Mosaic discovered during the 18th century at Emperor Hadrian’s Villa. Another detailed mosaic, dating from 200 BC, shows a priest beside a shrine with an adjoining dovecote. The dovecote is detailed with pigeons on the roof and flying above it. This mosaic further confirms the connection between worship and the breeding of pigeons.
Pigeons and Islam
Prophet Mohammed
Depicted with Dove
Islam has had strong associations with the pigeon throughout history and that association continues today with large flocks being found in the holy city of Mecca, where breeding sites are provided for the birds and where pilgrims to Mecca purchase grain to feed them.
Pigeons Waiting Outside
21st Century Mosque
to be Fed
At the shrine of Mohammed in Medina (western Saudi Arabia) the thousands of pigeons that gather there are commonly referred to as the ‘Prophet’s birds’.
Pigeon racing and fancying is still a popular sport in the Muslim world and the breed of pigeon known as the ‘Arabian Laughter’ is believed to have been introduced by Mohammed and is still bred today.
Pigeons and Hinduism
The Hindu religion has also revered the dove throughout history, with the bird being mentioned as far back as 1500-1200 BC in the Rig Veda, an ancient hymn dedicated to the Aryan Deities. There are countless illustrations of the pigeon throughout Hindu history, depicted with various deities. The pigeon is still revered today, with huge flocks of pigeons being fed on a daily basis in temples throughout India, in many towns and cities in the UK and many other European cities. Source
Pigeons and Sikhism
The Sikh religion, founded in the 16th century, considers the dove to be a symbol of peace, harmony and goodwill. Sikhs believe that God’s light is in all creatures including pigeons and other birds. As with the Hindu religion, Sikhs feed pigeons around temples in India and throughout the UK and many European cities today.
The feral pigeon that is directly descended from the domesticated rock dove is now perceived as being a pest and a nuisance in towns and cities throughout the world, and yet the bird is still revered in the 21st century. Hindus, Muslims and Sikhs continue to revere the pigeon and the huge flocks of pigeons that can be seen in and around temples and places of worship confirm this. In towns and cities throughout the UK the continued growth of multi-racial groups has ensured that the feral pigeon is, to some small degree, still a symbol of peace and harmony.
About Pigeon Patrol:
Pigeon Patrol Products & Services is the leading manufacturer and distributor of bird deterrent (control) products in Canada. Pigeon Patrol products have solved pest bird problems in industrial, commercial, and residential settings since 2000, by using safe and humane bird deterrents with only bird and animal friendly solutions. At Pigeon Patrol, we manufacture and offer a variety of bird deterrents, ranging from Ultra-flex Bird Spikes with UV protection, Bird Netting, 4-S Gel and the best Ultrasonic and audible sound devices on the market today.
Contact us at 1- 877– 4– NO-BIRD, (604) 585-9279 or visit our website at www.pigeonpatrol.ca
Pigeon / Pigeon Patrol / Pigeons Roosting / Vancouver Pigeon Patrol / Bird Control / Surrey Pigeon Control / Pest / Vancouver Pigeon Blog / Birds Inside Home / Pigeons in the cities / Ice Pigeons/ Pigeons In Religions
by Pigeon Patrol | Oct 20, 2020 | Bird Deterrent Products, Bird Netting, Bird Spikes, Pigeon Droppings, Pigeon Spikes
Danger of Pigeon Droppings
Although pigeons themselves are not considered to be a danger to humans, their droppings is a different story. Pigeons transmit diseases through their droppings and can easily affect someone with a weakened immune system if near by.
Pigeon droppings that are infected with bacteria or viruses are often left on the street, windowsills and cars to dry out. Once they do, they become a powder, which is blown or kicked into the air and then inhaled. The inhalation of this powder is one way that the pathogens that can cause disease can be spread to us.
Pathogens
According to Medical News Today, the most common pathogens which can cause disease transmitted from pigeons to humans are:
- E. coli. This occurs when bird droppings land in a water or food supply and are then consumed by humans. This can typically be avoided by washing food thoroughly before eating. Symptoms include nausea, fever and cramps.
- St. Louis encephalitis.This disease is spread by mosquitoes after they feed on a bird that carries the pathogen that spreads St. Louis encephalitis. This inflammation of the nervous system is dangerous to all age groups, but can be particularly dangerous and even fatal in adults over 60 years old. Symptoms include drowsiness, headache and fever.
- Histoplasmosis.This respiratory disease occurs as a result of a fungus growing in pigeon droppings and can be fatal.
- Candidiasis.This disease is also a respiratory condition caused by a fungus or yeast found in droppings. The areas affected include skin, mouth, the respiratory system, intestines and the urogenital tract, particularly in women.
- Salmonellosis.This disease is commonly called “food poisoning” and spreads via infected droppings turning into dust and contaminating food and food preparation surfaces prior to consumption.
Pigeons are also carriers of mites, fleas, and West Nile virus, and all of which can cause discomfort and potentially serious health issues in humans.
If you are cleaning up or come into contact with droppings, you should take precautions. Wash your hands and clean any exposed skin before eating, drinking or putting your hands near your mouth. Likewise, if you are feeding or handling birds, wash your hands afterwards. If you have a compromised immune system, including from HIV/AIDS or cancer, you should not clean up droppings.
Destroys Cleanliness of Property
Pigeon droppings are unsightly and can cause problems by making pavements and steps slippery, particularly in wet weather. Droppings can also corrode stonework and damage buildings. Nesting material, droppings and dead birds may block gutters and drains leading to water damage to buildings. Pigeon droppings are quite high in uric acid, which corrodes car exteriors like no one’s business. With an average pH of about 3, dried bird poop will peel away clearcoats, bleach paint, and leave cartoonish etchings of itself even after a car wash.
Pigeon droppings can cause severe damage to not just your roof but also other parts of your house. Some of the havoc birds poop can cause to your roof include:
Uric Acid
Bird poop contains uric acid, which can damage your roof. Since birds don’t urinate, the only way they could get rid of nitrogenous waste from their body system is through their poop. The acidic content of the white liquid can wreak havoc on materials like concrete, car paint, and roofing materials. The most vulnerable roof material to uric acid is the asphalt shingles.
Effect on Solar Panel
Roof-mounted solar panels have become a modern haven for pigeons and other bird species. This is so because solar panels provide warmth and shelter from the wind and rain. More so, it is a perfect spot for nesting, which ultimately results in massive bird dropping problems. Apart from the fact that these birds cause damage to the solar panel wiring, they also create a mess by leaving their droppings on top of them. These droppings, if left to sit for an extended period of time , blight solar panels and can render the system useless.
Blocked Gutters
Pigeons picking on dried poop for bugs can drop these waste into your gutters. These bird droppings contain seeds that may likely create additional problems for your drainage system. When a bird poop is left for long on your roof, wind or rain may eventually wash the bird poop and seeds into the gutters. These seeds can grow into weeds and shrubs in the gutter given the right conditions, thus affecting the flow of water. A clogged gutter will eventually lead to roof leakages. So make sure you clean your gutters regularly to ensure that they are free of debris and other waste products left by pigeons.
Moss Growth
Moss thrives in shady, damp places and are commonly found on the roof. Failure to tackle moss growth heads on can result in water leaks and damage. In addition, it can clog your drainage and gutters. Moss retains moisture, and this could further hamper the efficiency of your roof materials. What is for certain is that if birds and pigeons regularly leave droppings on your roof, the moss problem can be difficult and more expensive to contain. The nutrients from pigeon poop stimulate moss growth. More reasons why you need to get rid of pigeons and bird pests from your roof.
Bird Laws
Some laws protect native birds. So you need to follow laid down protocols when getting rid of them. Some of the legal methods of preventing birds nesting on your roof include roof spikes and bird deflectors. If you don’t want to face the wrath of the law, then make sure you contact reputable bird control service for assistance. Read More About Bird Laws Here
Source
About Pigeon Patrol:
Pigeon Patrol Products & Services is the leading manufacturer and distributor of bird deterrent (control) products in Canada. Pigeon Patrol products have solved pest bird problems in industrial, commercial, and residential settings since 2000, by using safe and humane bird deterrents with only bird and animal friendly solutions. At Pigeon Patrol, we manufacture and offer a variety of bird deterrents, ranging from Ultra-flex Bird Spikes with UV protection, Bird Netting, 4-S Gel and the best Ultrasonic and audible sound devices on the market today
Contact us at 1- 877– 4– NO-BIRD, (604) 585-9279 or visit our website at www.pigeonpatrol.
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by Pigeon Patrol | Jun 29, 2020 | 4-S Gel Bird repellent, Animal Deterrent Products, Bird Deterrent Products, Bird Netting, Bird Spike, Bird Spikes, Pigeon Control, Pigeon Droppings, Pigeon Patrol's Services, Pigeon Spikes, Pigeons in the News, UltraSonic Bird Control
Pigeon Habitat. Pigeons prefer grains for food and people will commonly feed pigeons unintentionally by spilling food or it in open trash containers. Pigeons roost in areas above ground and will readily nest in steeples, as well as voids on outside areas of buildings and other protected areas.
Pigeons are dependent on humans to provide them with food, roosting and nesting sites. They are commonly found around agricultural areas as well as warehouses, feed mills, and grain elevators. They are also commonly found in cities around parks, buildings, bridges, and any other structures.
Source
About Pigeon Patrol:
Pigeon Patrol Products & Services is the leading manufacturer and distributor of bird deterrent (control) products in Canada. Pigeon Patrol products have solved pest bird problems in industrial, commercial, and residential settings since 2000, by using safe and humane bird deterrents with only bird and animal friendly solutions. At Pigeon Patrol, we manufacture and offer a variety of bird deterrents, ranging from Ultra-flex Bird Spikes with UV protection, Bird Netting, 4-S Gel and the best Ultrasonic and audible sound devices on the market today.
Contact us at 1- 877– 4– NO-BIRD, (604) 585-9279 or visit our website at www.pigeonpatrol.ca
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by Pigeon Patrol | Jun 29, 2020 | 4-S Gel Bird repellent, Animal Deterrent Products, Bird Deterrent Products, Bird Netting, Bird Spike, Bird Spikes, Pigeon Control, Pigeon Droppings, Pigeon Patrol's Services, Pigeon Spikes, Pigeons in the News, UltraSonic Bird Control
Pigeon Threats? Pigeons are filthy birds, causing disease and damage. Their droppings are known for triggering human slips and falls, as well as accelerating the aging of structures and statues. This makes it imperative to get rid of pigeons in highly trafficked areas. More seriously, pigeons may carry diseases such as cryptococcosis, toxoplasmosis, salmonella, food poisoning, and more. Also, their droppings may harbor the growth of fungus, which causes histoplasmosis. Other pests may live on these birds, including fleas, lice, mites, ticks, and other pests. Pests may also infest nests such as stored product pests.
If you discover pigeons roosting on your property, contact a professional immediately to discuss a proper course of pigeon control.
Source
About Pigeon Patrol:
Pigeon Patrol Products & Services is the leading manufacturer and distributor of bird deterrent (control) products in Canada. Pigeon Patrol products have solved pest bird problems in industrial, commercial, and residential settings since 2000, by using safe and humane bird deterrents with only bird and animal friendly solutions. At Pigeon Patrol, we manufacture and offer a variety of bird deterrents, ranging from Ultra-flex Bird Spikes with UV protection, Bird Netting, 4-S Gel and the best Ultrasonic and audible sound devices on the market today.
Contact us at 1- 877– 4– NO-BIRD, (604) 585-9279 or visit our website at www.pigeonpatrol.ca
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