Why Effective Bird Control is important

More than 60 transmissible diseases (some of which are fatal) are associated with pigeons, starlings and house sparrows and their droppings.

For example:

• Histoplasmosis is a potentially fatal respiratory disease resulting from a fungus growing in dried droppings
• Candidiasis is a yeast or fungus infection spread by pigeons. The disease affects the skin, the mouth, the respiratory system, the intestines and the urogenital tract, especially the vagina. It is a growing problem from women, causing itching, pain and discharge.
• Cryptococcosis is a caused by a yeast found in the intestinal tract of pigeons and starlings. The illness often begins as a pulmonary disease and may later affect the central nervous system. Since attics, cupolas, ledges, schools, offices, warehouses, mills, barns, park buildings, signs, etc. are typical roosting and nesting sites, the fungus is apt to be found in these areas.
• St. Louis Encephalitis, an inflammation of the nervous system, usually causes drowsiness, headaches and fever. It may even result in paralysis, coma or death. It occurs in all age groups, but is especially fatal to persons over age 60. The disease is spread by mosquitoes which have fed on infected house sparrows, pigeons and house finches carrying the Group B virus responsible for St. Louis Encephalitis.
• Salmonellosis often occurs as "food poisoning" and can be traced to pigeons, starlings and sparrows. These bacteria are found in bird droppings; dust from droppings can be sucked through ventilators and air conditioners, contaminating food and cooking surfaces in restaurants, homes and processing plants.

Besides being direct carriers of disease, nuisance birds are frequently associated with over 50 kinds 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 and domestic animals. The rest are considered nuisance or incidental pests. A few examples of ectoparasites include:

• Bed bugs (Cimex lectularius) may consume up to five times their own weight in blood drawn from hosts, which include humans and some domestic animals. In extreme conditions, victims may become weak and anemic. Pigeons, starlings and house sparrows are known to carry bed bugs.
• Chicken mites (Dermanyssus gallinae) are known carriers of encephalitis and may also cause fowl mite dermatitis and acariasis. While they subsist on blood drawn from a variety of birds, they may also attack humans. They have been found on pigeons, starlings and house sparrows.
• Yellow mealworms (Tenebrio molitor), perhaps the most common beetle parasite (of humans) in the United States, live in pigeon nests. They are found in grain or grain products, often winding up in breakfast cereals, and may cause intestinal canthariasis and hymenolepiasis.