Pigeons are an all too common sight in cities and towns around the world. Some even keep them as pets, but they are a threat when left to their own devices.
Although there is no way to completely eliminate pigeon droppings, it is possible to keep pigeons at bay with some simple preventative methods. In this article we will study how to clean pigeon droppings and how to prevent them from reappearing.
Pigeons can be a pest. They eat crops, leave droppings in the car and coo like crazy at all hours of the night.
In urban areas, pigeons often nest in trees and on rooftops. They are also drawn to open spaces around buildings, where they can find food and shelter.
Pigeon droppings contain a lot of uric acid which can damage most surfaces over time. In addition to cleaning up pigeon droppings now, follow these tips to prevent them from coming back later.
Tips to Clean Pigeon Droppings
It’s official: your balcony or terrace has been voted toilet of the year by all the birds, especially the pigeons in the area.
Your patio is covered in pigeon or bird droppings and patio furniture like railings are now full of droppings.
And you have to admit that birds can sometimes do a lot of damage, especially cause allergies! For this reason, Grandma has put together the best tips based on natural products to properly clean the droppings from outside without the risk of damaging or contaminating your green spaces with chemical products.
In addition, all these natural tips will have a very effective effect without the need to buy an expensive pressure washer.
And of course, you will also be told how to prevent these birds from coming back with their droppings to make your life easier in the future!
Identify the source of pigeon droppings.
Identify the origin of the droppings.
Find out what kind of stool it is (fresh or old, watery or solid).
Find out where the droppings are: on the outside of a building, on the railing of a balcony, in the bushes next to your house or office building…
Note any odor associated with it (pungent, mildew…).
Determine how much there is: a single dropping or an entire colony? There may only be one perched pigeon in your area.
If so, your droppings will be minimal compared to a large flock that have been using the same spot for a while plus, once you have removed all visible droppings from an area where pigeons have been roosting for some time – for example, sweeping away dead leaves and branches with them still attached – the smell can linger for several days until another storm blows what’s left.»
Safely dispose of pigeon droppings
The first step in getting rid of droppings is to wear gloves and a mask. Even if you are not going to eat anything at home, pigeon droppings can carry diseases that can affect human health.
For example, the hantavirus can be found in both wild and domestic rodents, such as rats and mice, so it’s important not only for health reasons, but also because you never want your family to be exposed to this type of virus or bacteria.
Next, thoroughly clean all areas where the pigeon has defecated on or around your property, sweeping up any loose dusty material with a broom and dustpan (and wearing protective clothing while doing so).
Next, use paper towels or rags soaked with warm water and vinegar to wipe down any hard surfaces that have been contaminated by bird waste; this includes floors, walls, and countertops, even if they have already been cleaned with just soap and water.
Lastly, spray a disinfectant around baseboards and window sills where pigeons are likely to perch near an opening in their nesting space below grade (such as under the eaves).
How to disinfect balconies and terraces from pigeon droppings
If you want to disinfect your balcony or terrace from pigeon droppings, you must first determine what type of solution is best for the surface.
If you have a wooden deck, it is recommended to use a bleach solution that does not contain chlorine or acid. This type of cleaner will be effective against mildew, which can grow on wood when it comes in contact with pigeon droppings.
If your balcony has tiles or cement slabs, vinegar is a good option: it cleans effectively without damaging the material (unlike bleach) and its odor disappears quickly after application.
In addition, vinegar also has antibacterial properties that help prevent the growth of mold on concrete surfaces where pigeons previously roosted.
Also spray hot water on the surface of your balcony: this method ensures that all the dirt will be removed more easily than cold water alone could.
dangers of pigeon droppings
Pigeon droppings are a serious health hazard. Pigeons can transmit diseases through their droppings, their feathers, and their eggs.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that pigeons are known to transmit diseases such as salmonella and cryptococcosis. If you do come in contact with pigeon feces or feathers on your skin, the CDC recommends washing your hands thoroughly with soap and water.
Pigeon droppings should be cleaned up quickly if they come onto your property, as they can attract other pests, such as rats or mice, if left too long.
How to remove droppings and other remains of pigeons
The first step in cleaning up pigeon droppings is to wear protective clothing and equipment. You will need long pants, a long-sleeved shirt, closed-toe shoes, safety glasses, and a dust mask.
If you will be working in an attic or shed (or other enclosed area) while removing guano from the exterior walls and eaves of your home, you should also consider wearing a respirator.
You can also take extra precautions by wearing rubber gloves when cleaning up messes created by pigeons roosting near the exterior walls of your home.
Bird Poop Health Risk
Bird droppings can contain harmful bacteria, viruses and parasites. For example, pigeon droppings can carry diseases such as psittacosis (which causes flu-like symptoms in humans), histoplasmosis (which can cause respiratory illness), or toxoplasmosis (which causes fever, pain headaches and pains).
Bird droppings are also known to carry salmonella, E. coli, and other types of food poisoning bacteria.
It’s important to clean up your yard immediately after you see pigeons in it or see that they’ve left their mark behind them, because the longer you wait before cleaning up, the more likely it is that bacteria from their droppings will find its way onto surfaces on your property. and infect anyone who comes into contact with them later.
how to prevent the birds from coming back?
To keep pigeons away, nesting materials, food sources, and building materials must be removed. To do this effectively, you must first know what type of material pigeons prefer for their nests:
Feathers Fresh-looking grass stalks Old rags or paper towels (especially white and blue) Bark dust from trees made up of mostly hardwood trees like oak or maple.
Natural ingredients to clean pigeon droppings
VinegarBaking SodaHydrogen PeroxideLemon JuiceLeachingCinnamonGarlicMintSalt and Sugar
How to clean pigeon droppings from your car
Cleaning up pigeon droppings is much like cleaning up other types of unwanted dirt. You can clean them with a soft brush, use water to wash them down and then vacuum them, or use other methods depending on the equipment you already have in your garage or shed.
If you don’t want to get your hands dirty and just want to use tools and equipment, here are some options:
Use a soft brush or toothbrush with soapy water to scrub the area where the pigeons have left their «business card». Afterwards, rinse it well and rinse it under running water (so that no soap residue remains). This will help prevent stains from setting on the cloth seats after they have dried overnight. Use your garden hose if there is a fence, but only if it is secure enough.
Pigeons are not known for being especially coordinated when landing from great heights on flat surfaces like concrete, so don’t risk falling while trying this method.
If not, try another of the methods listed below, such as using any type of vacuum attachment, including crevice tool attachments, which may work better depending on how much time and money you are investing in. willing to do to get rid of these pests once and for all.
How to clean pigeon droppings on your balcony or terrace?
Vinegar: the golden trick to clean pigeon droppings
White vinegar (or spirit vinegar) is a acid and antiseptic product to remove stubborn residues and bad odors and to disinfect bacteria.
These two actions allow a perfect cleaning of the droppings without using harmful bleach or ammonia.
To clean up a dropping, scrape a bit to remove most of the stain. Then rub with a soft cloth soaked in white vinegar diluted equally with water.
It can also be used on windows or cars dirty by birds. For large surfaces such as balcony floors (tiles, etc.), mix 250 ml of white vinegar with 1 liter of water and rub this solution over the droppings with a broom. Then rinse with clear water.
How to clean pigeon droppings from windows and balconies?
The best way to clean pigeon droppings from a window or balcony is:
Use a stiff brush to scrape up droppings. Use a hose to clean the area.
Precautions:
Wear protective equipment, including gloves and a mask or goggles. If using bleach or disinfectants, wear rubber gloves and eye protection while cleaning with them as well.
How to clean pigeon droppings from clothes?
If you are dealing with pigeon droppings on your clothing, the best way to remove it is to wash the clothing in hot water and use a disinfectant. You can then dry the items in the sun or put them in a hot clothes dryer.
Diseases caused by pigeon droppings
Did you know that pigeon droppings can be a major health hazard? Pigeons are carriers of various diseases. The most common are salmonellosis, histoplasmosis…