Professional pigeon control technician inspecting a commercial property for signs of infestation
Pigeon droppings carry over 60 diseases including histoplasmosis, cryptococcosis, and psittacosis. Learn about the serious health risks associated with pigeon feces and why prompt cleanup is essential for your family's safety.
The Hidden Danger on Your Property
Pigeon droppings may seem like nothing more than an unsightly nuisance, and most property owners treat them as a cosmetic problem. They power-wash their sidewalks, scrub their ledges, and hope the birds move on.
But pigeon feces are far more dangerous than they appear. The dried droppings become friable β meaning they crumble into fine particles that become airborne with the slightest disturbance. A footstep, a gust of wind, or a maintenance worker sweeping without proper protection can launch thousands of fungal spores into the air. Therefore, understanding the real health risks of pigeon droppings isn't just important β it could save your life or the lives of your family, employees, or tenants.
The Centers for Disease Control has documented more than 60 diseases associated with pigeon droppings. These range from mild respiratory irritation to life-threatening systemic infections. And the risk level correlates directly with the volume of droppings and the duration of exposure.
A single pigeon produces approximately 25 pounds of droppings per year. A flock of 30 pigeons β common on a single commercial building β generates 750 pounds of disease-carrying waste annually. That waste accumulates on rooftops, inside HVAC systems, in attic spaces, and on every surface the birds frequent.
Detailed view of the hidden danger on your property β professional pigeon control documentation photo
Pigeon Fact
Pigeons can find their way home from over 1,300 miles away β they were used as message carriers in both World Wars.
Diseases Carried by Pigeon Droppings
**Histoplasmosis** is the most common pigeon-related disease in the United States. The fungus Histoplasma capsulatum grows in soil enriched by bird droppings, and its spores become airborne when contaminated material is disturbed. Inhaling these spores causes respiratory infection that can progress to chronic lung disease or disseminated infection affecting multiple organs.
And histoplasmosis isn't rare. The CDC estimates that up to 80% of people in certain regions have been exposed to the fungus. But most healthy adults experience mild, flu-like symptoms or no symptoms at all. Therefore, the real danger lies with vulnerable populations: children, elderly individuals, pregnant women, and anyone with a weakened immune system β including HIV/AIDS patients, organ transplant recipients, and cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.
**Cryptococcosis** is caused by the yeast Cryptococcus neoformans, which thrives in environments rich in pigeon droppings. This fungal infection primarily attacks the lungs but can spread to the brain, causing cryptococcal meningitis β a condition with a mortality rate of 20-30% even with treatment.
**Psittacosis** (parrot fever) is a bacterial infection caused by Chlamydia psittaci. Transmission occurs through inhalation of dried secretions or droppings from infected birds. Symptoms include high fever, severe headache, and atypical pneumonia. And while treatable with antibiotics, delayed diagnosis can lead to serious complications including endocarditis and hepatitis.
**Salmonellosis** and **E. coli** infections spread when pigeon droppings contaminate food, water, or surfaces. Pigeons roosting above outdoor dining areas, near food processing facilities, or around water supply infrastructure create direct contamination pathways.
Pigeon Fact
A single pigeon produces about 25 pounds of droppings per year, which can corrode metal and damage building facades.
Safe Cleanup Procedures
If you must clean pigeon droppings yourself, proper safety precautions are non-negotiable. And the most critical step happens before you touch anything: never dry-sweep or dry-brush pigeon droppings. This launches dangerous spores into the air.
But many property owners make this exact mistake, creating a hazardous exposure event for themselves and anyone nearby. Therefore, follow these professional cleanup protocols:
**Step 1: Personal Protective Equipment** β Wear an N95 or P100 respirator (not a surgical mask), disposable coveralls, rubber gloves, and eye protection. This is not optional.
**Step 2: Wet the Droppings** β Thoroughly soak the affected area with water mixed with a hospital-grade disinfectant. Allow 10-15 minutes of soak time to kill pathogens and prevent spores from becoming airborne.
**Step 3: Careful Removal** β Use a plastic scraper or shovel to collect wet droppings into sealed bags. Avoid aggressive scrubbing that generates splashing.
**Step 4: Disinfection** β Apply antimicrobial solution to all affected surfaces. Allow appropriate contact time as specified by the product manufacturer.
**Step 5: Proper Disposal** β Double-bag all waste materials, seal tightly, and dispose in appropriate waste containers. Decontaminate all tools used.
For large accumulations (more than a few square feet), elevated locations, or enclosed spaces like attics, we strongly recommend hiring a professional cleanup service. The health risks of improper cleanup can far exceed the cost of professional remediation.
Detailed view of safe cleanup procedures β professional pigeon control documentation photo
Pigeon Fact
Pigeons can fly at speeds of up to 77.6 mph, making them one of the fastest birds in the world.
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