Generally, birds are though of as a beautiful part of the environment. Where many birds, and their eggs, are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty and Endangered Species Act, there are a few birds considered a pest due to the property damage and potential spreading of disease they are responsible for. In Texas, pigeons, starlings, sparrows, woodpeckers, swallows, crows, and seagulls are considered pests. Across the United States, the most common bird pests are the pigeons European starlings, and house sparrows which we at A Five Star Termite & Pest Control would like to further touch on.
Why Birds are Considered Pests
European starlings, pigeons, and house sparrows are considered pests due the reasons listed below.
1) In the U.S., these birds have no natural predators, nor are they native to North America.
2) Human health and safety have significant adverse effects due to the large population.
3) Toxoplasmosis, encephalitis, and Salmonella are carried and transmitted by these birds in addition to breathing their droppings leading to other diseases such as histoplasmosis and cryptococcosis.
4) Excessive damage and accelerating the deterioration of structures and vehicles can be influenced by bird droppings.
5) Bird’s nesting habits can cause electrical outages, clogged pipes, as well as attract secondary insect pests like gnats, mites, slugs, and mealybugs.
Why are Pigeons Referred to as Rats with Wings?
Because of the comparable unsanitary conditions, pigeons are often referenced as flying rodents or rats with wings. These are the most common, largest, and most damaging of the bird pests. These birds average about 11 inches in length and weigh approximately 13 ounces. With red feet, their coloring ranges but commonly consists of being a grayish color with two black bars on each wing. Pigeons will eat all types of human scraps and prefer a variety of grains in their diet. These birds have become dependent on humans for their food and shelter, as a result, they are gathered close to human developments. Parks, outdoor restaurants, and around trash bins are where pigeons convene in cities and around feed and grain mills, food manufacturing plants, and farms are where they are most active in rural areas. Their dropping cause structural damage and can bring lice, ticks, and fleas.
How to Get Rid of House Sparrows on Roof
These birds are approximately 5 to 6 1/2 inches long and weigh less than an ounce. With gray underbellies, and being light or reddish brown, they also have identifiable black streaks. Their diet consists on grains, vegetables, fruits, flowers, as well as scraps from the trash and fallen scraps. In areas with higher populations their incessant sharp cheeping can become a great nuisance. However, these sparrows can be fairly aggressive and cause significant damage in gardens. In rural areas they can be problematic as they feed on and contaminate livestock feed. Additional pests and fire hazards can also be traced to home sparrows when nesting near buildings. By mid-summer their reproduction increases population. Like pigeons, their droppings can contribute to structural damage and they can carry and spread West Nile Virus.
European Starling Problems
European Starlings weigh about 3 ounces, and 6 inches long. Their coloring is dark and have faint speckles on their feathers. These birds will eat seeds, fruits in trees, grubs and other larvae, in addition to trash and spilled scraps of food. They travel in flocks and reside in trees or along the gutters for convenient drinking source, causing them to clog. Their droppings erode surfaces and roosting activities. Dropping contaminate soil which can transmit diseases like histoplasmosis.
Nesting & Nuisance Bird Inspections, Control & Removal in Canyon Lake, Spring Branch, Bulverde, Timberwood Park, Leon Valley, Alamo Heights, New Braunfels, Selma, Live Oak, Converse, Universal City, Cibolo, Seguin, New Berlin, St Hedwig, Adkins, La Vernia, Elmendorf, Losoya, Von Ormy, Macdona & San Antonio, Texas
No matter what birds are causing pest-like consequences, call A Five Star Termite & Pest Control and let our certified specialists do the rest.
