Pigeons are cute little birds that humans lure with crumbs of bread. There is however so much more to them than being just cute little birds. Pigeons are very dangerous to humans, as they are carrying a lot of pathogens. These birds carry up to 60 varieties of pathogens that spread diseases. This article will discuss the health risks that come with pigeon droppings.
How Do Pigeons Spread Disease?
Pigeons spread diseases through their droppings. So should you worry about pigeon droppings? The answer is yes. You should be very careful around pigeon droppings, make sure to avoid touching them. However, it is not enough to just avoid touching pigeon droppings, this is because it enters the atmosphere through others means. When pigeons leave their droppings on the road or other, it dries out and eventually becomes powder. In this form, the droppings still carry a lot of bacteria and viruses. Wind disperses the droppings in powder form, getting inhaled by people and causing diseases. A lot of pathogens come from these droppings which can cause serious health implications for humans. Below are some pathogens carried by pigeon droppings.
E. Coli
E. Coli is caused by pigeon droppings that fall into food or water. The symptoms include fever, cramps, and nausea. E. Coli can be avoided by washing your food thoroughly before eating. You should also watch the water that you drink.
Histoplasmosis
Histoplasmosis is a respiratory disease that could be very fatal. It is caused by a fungus that grows in pigeon droppings.
Salmonellosis
This is a form of food poisoning. It is caused by the droppings that turn to powder, contaminating food.
St Louis encephalitis
This disease is passed to the bird by a mosquito, before being transmitted to humans. Mosquitoes carry the pathogens that spread St Louis encephalitis, and it is a very dangerous disease. It causes inflammation of the nervous system which can be fatal for people of all ages, particularly individuals over the age of 60. Symptoms of this disease include fever, headache, and drowsiness.
Candidiasis
This is another respiratory disease that is caused by a fungus found in the droppings of pigeons. This disease is known to affect different areas of the body including the intestines, skin, respiratory system, mouth, and urogenital tract in women.
How To Get Rid Of Pigeons
Pigeons do not only spread diseases, they can only destroy your property. Pigeon nests affect the electrical connection of homes. Their droppings also make the ground around your home slippery. You must reduce the presence of pigeons around your home. You can achieve this by putting in place things like wire barriers, spikes, shock, and control gel. If you have a pigeon problem in your home, you might require professional help to take care of it. Contact experienced exterminators to get the job done. A professional pest control company will sort the problem out in no time.
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