A major problem with pest birds is the risk of disease that they pose – and it is not just the birds themselves that are the carriers but also the bugs that make their homes on birds.
Birds such as starlings, pigeons and sparrows have been known to carry bed bugs as well as bird mites.
Feeding on the blood of the birds, the bugs make their home on the bird’s bodies. While it is unusual for these bugs to then move to a human body as a host, it is a possibility – and something that you certainly want to avoid at all costs.
Bird mites
Bird mites are minuscule and can only usually be seen after feeding on blood at which point they appear as tiny dark flecks.
Should these mites end up attacking human skin they will make it extremely itchy and will need to be dealt with as quickly as possible.
The bugs can be found either on the bird or in their nest so it is important to take care when around wild birds or when dealing with an old nest.
There is also a threat from insects that have bitten a bird and become a carrier of a particular disease as a result.
This has been identified as a problem in many areas due to the threat of mosquitoes passing on the West Nile Virus, which can in some cases prove to be very serious.
The over-riding message would be that a cautious approach is wise when dealing with bird nests near to your home or business property and to avoid unnecessary exposure to pest birds.
Seek professional help to cut risk
As well as the potential for contamination coming from bugs carried by, or infected by birds there is the threat of airborne disease from bird droppings. These include salmonella, psittacosis and histoplasmosis.
It is advisable to deal with a problem with pest birds as soon as possible to minimise the impact on both health and surroundings. Given the risk of disease it is important to seek professional advice from bird control experts who will be equipped to deal with the problem safely.
For more advice on tackling pest birds on your property please get in touch with Total Bird Control.
