Problematic Pigeons: What Apartment Complex Managers Need to Know
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Apartment complexes are practically tailor-made for pigeons. They feature everything that pigeons love, including plenty of high places to roost and tons of food sources. Because of the size of apartment complexes, pigeons can thrive in large numbers. Once these pests have found a comfortable place, they will keep coming back—even if you shoo them away. For apartment complex managers, getting rid of problematic pigeons can feel like a fulltime job. Luckily, with the help of an expert pigeon abatement company, it doesn’t have to be that way. Pigeon control professionals know how to safely get rid of pigeons for good, instead of just providing a temporary fix. If you’re an apartment complex manager tired of dealing with pigeons, this information could help you get control.
Pigeon control has to be applied to the entire complex, not just the immediately affected area.
If you have pigeons at your apartment complex, there is a good chance that they tend to stick together in one or two clustered areas. However, just because they are in those areas particular areas doesn’t mean that they are the only areas that you need to target with abatement procedures. Many people try to get rid of a specific group of birds by using deterrents in that location alone, such as putting bird netting or screening where the pigeons cluster. In an apartment complex, however, all that this technique will achieve is pushing the pigeons to the next open space that they can find in the complex. For abatement to be successful, it has to be applied consistently and comprehensively throughout the entire complex.
Pigeons are more than annoyance to your tenants—they are also a health risk.
Pigeons are certainly annoying to management and tenants alike in apartment complexes. They can be loud and disruptive, and of course, they create a mess. However, there is another, bigger issue to consider: the health risk. Pigeon droppings carry fungus and bacteria that can cause dangerous infections, such as histoplasmosis and cryptococcosis. Some of these infections can be contracted from airborne spores that are released from pigeon droppings, and they can also enter the air ducts of your units. Pigeon droppings on playground equipment, grilling sites, and other outdoor, community areas are also a risk for your residents. Failing to adequately clean these droppings can also leave you legally liable if your residents become ill. Pigeon droppings have caused illnesses and even fatalities in recent years, so it is important to be vigilant about the risk.
Your residents have to be on board with your abatement efforts.
One complication that apartment complex managers face with pigeon abatement is that residents can do things that interfere with the efforts. One major complication is residents offering food to pigeons. Some inadvertently create food sources by leaving food scraps out on the balconies that pigeons then come and eat. Others intentionally feed pigeons, particularly if they have children who enjoy feeding the birds. For your abatement efforts to be effective, you will need to institute a community policy banning activities that could interfere with abatement. This may include requiring all patio areas to be clean and all shared outdoor grilling areas be kept completely free of food scraps. Ban feeding pigeons and consider applying a fine for violating the conditions. It can helpful to let your residents know why you’re instilling the rules, as they are likely to be as eager to get rid of the pigeons as you are. Keep in mind that you will need to keep these rules in place after the initial abatement is completed, so that you don’t risk attracting the birds back to the complex.
Professional pigeon abatement companies are essential for resolving infestations.
If you really want to get serious about getting rid of the pigeons at your apartment complex, then you will need a professional pigeon abatement company. Pigeons are extremely intelligent and will return to any area which they like, even if you have effectively gotten them to scatter temporarily. A professional abatement company can help with all of the necessary stages of the process, from removing the birds without harming them and cleaning up the waste to ensuring that they don’t come back. With regular maintenance, your pigeon control company can make sure all of your bird deterrents are in place and working as expected, or make replacements or repairs as needed. Having an ongoing contact with a pigeon control company can prevent your problems from recurring in the future and save you the costs of future abatement efforts.If you’re an apartment complex manager who is tired of trying ineffective measures for pigeon abatement, call Premier Pigeon Control. Our team knows how to deal with the challenges of pigeon control in apartment complexes to help your community get and stay pigeon-free. Talk to one of our pigeon control experts today at (520) 882-0078 in Tucson or (480) 437-4093 in Phoenix.