Pigeons, developed from the European rock dove are the number one pest bird in most areas. They are communal birds operating in flocks, all members using the same feeding and roosting areas, which are, as a rule, near one another.

The pigeons have immensely variable plumage with basic blue-grey glossy sheen on neck. Wings are black chequered pattern or two black wine bars. Size 33cm. Range/Habitat: Manly urban areas but cover all of Victoria.

There pest status is due to the fact that

• Pathogenic bacteria and fungi can flourish in their droppings
• The uric acid contents in there droppings is highly corrosive
• Bird mites can invade premises after the juvenile birds have left the nest.

The starling bird is physically superior to many other common species. It is a hard muscular and powerful with a beak that is long, and straight and sharp. Starlings even attack sparrows-also a very gregarious bird.

Glossy black, yellow bill. Size 20-22cms. Range/Habitat: Urban and country areas thru out Victoria. Flocks feed on the ground, colony roosts. Average life span 5-7 years
There pest status is due to:

• The noise made when they are roosting
• The defacement caused by there corrosive droppings
• Their driving away of native birds from area
• Bacteria fungi and ectoparasites in the nest and droppings can pose a health hazard
• Nests can block gutters/down pipes

The House Sparrow belongs to the Weaver finch family. Sparrows usually operate within a limited territory with feeding and nesting sites relatively close to one another. House sparrows are prolific breeders, averaging about 3 broods per season with 4 to 7 off springs per brood. A pair of sparrows left alone will increase to a thousand within a few years as they are hardy, aggressive and also immune from natural enemies. The food of house sparrow is primarily seeds and grain products, but they eat fruit, buds, emerging plants and occasionally insects.
There pest status is due to

• Bacteria, fungi and parasites breeding in their faecal deposits posing a health hazard.
• They have been known to cause considerable damage through their attack on certain crops in rural areas.
• Faeces build up can lead to structural damage from the uric acid contact, gutters and drainpipes can become clogged with nests and many fire have been reportedly been caused by electrical shorts from machinery housing sparrows nest. Fleas and lice can invade houses, after the young leave the nests.
• Also not forgetting the health danger associated from bird dropping.

The mynah is a very “cheeky” bird and is common scavenger of streets,parks,gardens,garbage dumps and outdoor eating-places. It will seek to intimidate other bird’s species, often driving them from area. Large number of rooting birds can create considerable noise, making it uncomfortable for the local residents. In addition, mynahs can create nuisance by entering premises through open doors, creating a mess inside people’s houses. They are not considered to be of any economic importance.
There pest status is due to

• The exclusion of native species
• Scavenging and intrusion, often entering premises
• High, insistent noise levels
• Also not forgetting the health danger associated from bird dropping.

For people living in cities it is often difficult to believe that native birdssuch as cockatoos and galahs can be responsible for mayor economic looses involving a wide range of crops in many parts of Australia.

However, ask anybody who has had a television antenna cable, solar panels western red cedar railing, or seedlings destroyed by cockatoos and they will be able to give some indication of the destructive power exhibited by such birds.

To make thinks worse, the protected status of these birds renders their control more difficult than with the exotic species. The only way to protect your property is are non-chemical methods by netting or spiking by a professional licensed Pest Controller like Victorian Pest Control using the latest long lasting products available.
Native pest species

• Swallow
• Sulphur-crested cockatoo
• Rosella/Corella etc
• Crow/Raven
• White Sacred Ibis
• Ducks and Swamp hens

Pest status of each pest species varies considerably, eg

• Attraction to garbage dumps
• Bird strikes” around airports
• Water contamination (Faeces)
• Highly corrosive droppings
• Defacement caused by droppings
• Accumulation of nests on buildings
• Also hazards to human health from bird droppings

Bird dropping deface and slowly damage the surfaces of buildings monuments statues etc. This is the cause mainly by the acidic secretions of fungi that live with in the droppings and their corrosive effect.
The longer bird infestation remains, the more expensive will become the removal of droppings from roosting and nesting areas. Ultimately costly restoration becomes necessary; for example repairing masonry repainting, sanding of surfaces, replacement of corroded fittings, etc.
Birds roosting or nesting in buildings are normally a seasonal problem.

Dropping in factories, warehouses and under loading bays will permanently damage products and packaging and birds will peck holes in insulation to make nests. Workers dislike handling cartons with wet/dry droppings and loose insulation can be hazardous to health and expensive to replace.
In aircraft hangers, automotive assembly areas, railway and tramway assembly/maintenance areas, droppings will mark and etch metal and painted surfaces, often permanently.

Bird dropping on footpaths stairs and entrances are hazardous as people may slip. Fire escapes are infrequently used, so provide quiet areas for pigeons and doves. It is quite common to find severe infestation, odors, insects and bacteria in these areas and particles can enter the air conditioning system to infect staff and customers, block filters accumulate in ductwork, etc.

Birds appear to be innocent” yet they can be so very destructive. Management methods can affect your business unless sensitively and competently chosen and implemented. The major forms of management are required in domestic, manufacturing, food storage industries, public assembly areas and urban areas where there are usually high human populations. Even thought this is a growing and profitable section of our business, there have been many failures in this area of pest management. Most failures are due to lack of bird behavior knowledge, poor product knowledge, overuse of single products and, probably the most important of all, lack of understanding of bird concentration in the area of concern. So call Victorian pest control for a free quote.

Contact with bird droppings poses serious health risks and exposure to incurable diseases.If you have areas where birds congregate on your property, there is reason for concern.The only sure way to avoid these debilitating diseases is to avoid contact with these droppings or to prevent the droppings from occurring in the first place.As the line between man and nature becomes increasingly blurred, many of you may find that contact with wildlife is a part of daily life.Most of these encounters are an enriching part of your day. The sight of a cardinal in your bird feeder or a fleeting glimpse of a wild fox or raccoon surely adds excitement or joy to anyone's day.Problems can arise when these encounters become more frequent or more concentrated. For some, this issue is in the form of critters of the avian variety.

Yes, we are talking about birds, and they can be a threat to your health.Birds may frequently roost or congregate on your roof, dock, boat, or in your patio area. The accumulated droppings can become more than just a nuisance. These droppings may carry serious diseases that can endanger your family, friends, and even pets.We have all heard of Salmonella, which we typically associate with undercooked poultry or eggs. This bacterial disease can also be spread through bird fluids including droppings.Salmonella can cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea or even go undetected. In some cases, humans may unknowingly carry the disease and transmit it to others. The treatment generally consists of antibiotics, but may require the removal of the gallbladder to fully cure.There are other lesser known diseases that are transmitted by bird feces for which no known cures exist.Toxoplasmosis is a parasitic disease that, if left untreated, can lead to blindness. Other diseases can infect the respiratory system after breathing in the dust or spores contained in bird droppings.Histoplasmosis and Blastomycosis are two such fungal diseases. Histoplasmosis can lead to the loss of vision and chronic bronchitis/pneumonia-like symptoms. Blastomycosis begins as lesions to the lungs and skin before spreading to the bones, liver, and nervous system. Again, there are treatments for these diseases but no cure.To ensure your safety and the safety of those you love, you should avoid touching or breathing bird droppings of any kind.To further minimize your risk, you should consider placing bird deterring devices in areas where birds typically congregate or where droppings are a problem.Safe and effective products are available that do not harm the birds but will aid in eliminating the mess and health hazards associated with bird droppings.
Always call a professional, as bird droppings in the near future will be classified like asbestos and can cause cancer. Call Victorian Pest Control for a Free quote.