Pigeons and their excrement can cause damage to buildings and illness to the public. Pigeons should be deterred from roosting as excrement builds up quickly. Throwing bread or other food waste will attract pigeons and their associated problems and perhaps other pests such as rats. Illnesses and problems linked with pigeons include:

• Psittacosis - a flu like illness which can cause death in vulnerable people
• Meningitis - rare, but one causative agent is commonly found in pigeon nests
• Salmonella - diarrhoea, vomiting and in extreme cases septicaemia and possibly death
• Skin diseases
• Insects - including mites and fleas
• Attraction to rats
• Aggravated chest problems and asthma

More about pigeons

Today, the pigeon is the most serious bird pest associated with human habitations. They are widely distributed and are frequently found in large flocks in cities and built-up areas. They are also found in parks and on pavements feeding on food thrown away by people. The natural diet of the pigeon consists of grain and seed but they have adapted well to city life, often relying on food scraps such as bread, cakes and wild seed left by the general public. Pigeons breed throughout the year but the peak breeding season is between March and July.

Public health implications

Pigeons can present health implications when they associate too closely with people. Pigeons are often both a serious nuisance, and are capable of transmitting diseases, contaminating food and damaging buildings.

Most of the damage caused by pigeons arises from their infestation of buildings. Heavy fouling occurs in buildings where they roost, such as monuments or on ledges. This is not only unsightly but also has a destructive effect as over time, the acidic droppings erode stonework.

Gutters and down pipes often become blocked, leading to localised flooding and associated problems. Pigeons frequently deposit their droppings on people, pavements, buildings, park benches, statues and cars. These droppings are not only smelly and unsightly but can permanently stain and corrode some metals. Larger amounts of droppings can severely damage and even kill trees and other vegetation. Droppings on pavements can also cause a slipping hazard and it is particularly important to keep external fire escapes free from fouling.

How to recognise an infestation

Flocks of pigeons roosting inside or on your roof. Upon inspection within the loft space you may see nests consisting of sticks, twigs and grass laid to create a platform. Pigeons do not construct a typical birds nest.

Generally, nesting and roosting sites are frequently found in protected areas high on structures such as roofs, drain spouts, lofts, steeples, caves, and monuments/other architectural features.

What can Public Health do?

We provide an effective pest control advisory service to the community. The City Council does not currently cull or control pigeons within the area. However, we will act to discourage situations where pigeons create a statutory nuisance and offer advice or take statutory action where appropriate.

Food is the most important factor determining the size of any pigeon population and the best long-term solution to pigeon problems is to restrict the availability of food.

What you can do

• If you think you have a problem with pigeons you can seek professional advice from the pest control section.
  
  
• Allow pigeons to find their own food. This helps to control their numbers, and discourages them from congregating in particular areas. This will also reduce levels of fouling, making areas safer.
  
  
• Occupiers of buildings have a duty to minimise the risk to the health and safety of staff and visitors, from the hazards caused by pigeons.
  
  
• A number of proofing measures can be carried out to buildings where pigeons are a problem, details of which can be obtained from competent pest control companies listed in yellow pages.
  
  
• Remember, the most effect way of keeping pigeons away from buildings is to deny them access to enter or use the building as a nesting or roosting site.