Pigeons, like rats and mice, have evolved to live alongside us in the built environment – and that can often mean moving under the roof eaves or even into the ceilings of buildings – driving the human inhabitants round the bend with their cooing. But what are the health risks involved?
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‘Flying rats?’
Pigeons are sometimes rudely called ‘flying rats’, but this label, with its connotations of plague and pestilence, is undeserved. There are potential diseases associated with birds, but these are rare, and only people who spend a lot of time with birds (e.g. bird breeders) are really at risk.
Also, people who are immunocompromised, such as those with HIV/Aids or another serious chronic condition, are at higher risk for contracting the more serious forms of these diseases.
And, you should be more concerned about the problem if there are elderly people or small children in the home. But this is not considered a serious health issue for the average person.
The risk for pigeons being infected with bird flu is extremely low: studies indicate that they are very resistant to the virus, and have not been shown to be carriers. There are no records of anyone ever getting bird flu from a pigeon.
Most of the diseases humans can get from pigeons and other birds arise as a result of breathing in or ingesting dust from bird droppings, so it's not a bad idea to clear these away if they've built up over time.
Simple personal hygiene (especially regular handwashing) is also important. Some people (again, usually those who keep or work with birds) develop allergies to dust they inhale from bird droppings, feathers or dander.
Pigeon mites can also affect humans, but these parasites prefer the avian host.
Dealing with problem pigeons
If you do have pigeons that have become a nuisance on your property, it's usually quite unnecessary to have the birds exterminated or to put down poison, whatever the pest exterminator companies may say.
Simply chase the pigeons out from where they’re roosting (they'll fly away without much urging), clear away the droppings and nests, and, in the case of ceilings, close up the hole through which the birds originally entered. Just check that there aren’t chicks in the nests - you might have to wait another week or two before chasing the pigeons away.
In the case of open balconies, remove any pots or other objects that might make comfy nesting places, and chase the birds away whenever you get a chance. They'll get the message eventually.
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