Pictured above: Dave Nash, MD of Pestbusters
Business owners and landlords are being called upon to safeguard
their building due to a huge increase in pigeon infestations in the
region.
Dave Nash, a pest control expert, said there had been a 400 per
cent since the recession started in 2008 many landlords were
putting public health and buildings at risk needlessly.
Landlords struggling to make ends meet since the downturn has
led to " a pigeon epidemic" said Mr Nash, managing director of
vermin control company Pestbusters.
In the past 2 years Mr Nash estimates enquiries for bird
infestation problems has grown dramatically, for his Birmingham
based company.
Mr Nash said: "We really are in the midst of a pigeon epidemic.
We've seen problems increase four fold since the downturn and
something has to be done as perfectly good buildings are being
destroyed by an increase in the pigeon population, which is being
exacerbated by landlords who are not pigeon proofing their
buildings."
Mr Nash urged landlords to take preventative measures. He said:
It's so preventable as pigeon proofing buildings can often be very
affordable and save thousands of pounds in damage. Installing
pigeon spikes and ensuring that gaps in buildings are bird proofed
is by far the most sensible and cost effective precaution to
undertake. Prevention is better than cure, and this is one problem
which should not be ignored."
He said that as well as the financial aspect, pigeons carry
diseases which can cause health problems for the public,
particularly the most vulnerable.
Mr Nash added: "Pigeons are sometimes referred to as 'flying
rats', though in many ways this is unfair on rats, as they can
carry more diseases and clearing up their mess is considerably more
expensive."
"The fungal spores which are released into the air from infected
droppings can lead to lung diseases, as well as attracting fleas
and biting insects. They can contaminate air conditioning systems
and water tanks. Their droppings are acidic and damage paintwork.
The list goes on and on."