The problem of the presence of birds in too many urban areas, due to the absence of natural enemies, tends to become a real scourge. Urban areas of our country as well as large cities in Europe face intense problems that push them to take action. In the relevant literature, pigeons are usually classified as “urban parasites”, along with rats and cockroaches, as a result of which they have acquired the nickname “winged rats”. They nest in any area that can provide them with shelter and access to water and food, and their removal, once established, is particularly difficult.

Health Significance

The problems they create with their presence are mainly related to their large concentrations and some of them are:

⦁ Increased cost of maintenance, repair and cleaning of buildings which amounts to thousands of euros per year. This should include the increased use of chemical detergents as well as the waste of water caused by the effort to clean them.

⦁ Transmission of serious diseases to humans. Pathogens that are endemic to bird droppings and the dust produced by them are likely to cause serious human diseases, especially in susceptible populations such as young children, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems (eg histoplasmosis, chickenpox, allergies, encephalitis, etc.). The presence of birds in ventilation systems allows through them the spread of pathogenic microorganisms inside the buildings. 

⦁ Carriers of harmful arthropods. The birds host in their body a number of parasites, such as bedbugs, fleas, lice, mites, etc., which are transported to buildings and places where they rest and nest. 

Management Ways

Repulsion Measures: They should be taken in places where birds frequent or nest (window sills, chimneys, water pipes, canopies, etc.). The most common are nets, pulsed wire systems, plastic or metal pins, metal spirals, low voltage electric rails and gel repellents.

Removal Measures: They must be taken against birds that have already settled in a place. Ultrasound devices, birds of prey, birds of prey or scarecrows are used for this purpose. Also, the natural presence of hawks is an environmentally friendly way to remove them that has been successfully tested in specific areas such as airports or archeological sites. 

Hygiene Measures: These measures are related to limiting the birds’ ability to find food, water and shelter and are the best garbage collection, the strictest observance of cleanliness rules (non-disposal of food in open spaces), cleaning / sealing of abandoned buildings, destruction of nests, removal eggs, ban on feeding, etc.

Remarks 

The Management Ways that will eventually be selected for a site must meet certain conditions:

⦁ Be harmless to birds. The use of poisons or their shooting is illegal in most areas and is not recommended as non-harmful species may be affected.

⦁ Be effective depending on the size of the infestation.

⦁ Require as little maintenance as possible.