Rocklin Bird Control & Bird Removal

When you think you already have an infestation of birds in your home (or near your home), the first thing you should do is to figure out what sort of bird problem you’re having. Next, you need to figure out what might be attracting them to begin with.

(You can use Google Lens if you can take a photo using your smart phone.)

Your goal is to either: remove the item that might be attracting the birds (e.g. plants, feed/grain, garbage/food leftovers, an abundance of other insects, etc.) or to build a suitable barrier between the birds and the object of its attention.

Usually, it’s a case of habitual, unattended trash. Regular and prompt trash cleanup measures using bird-proof bins goes a long way towards discouraging unwanted bird activity in and around homes, commercial establishments, as well as public areas. 

In the case of house sparrows, as they’ll always find your home as a location for a suitable nest, you’ll want to install mesh or wire covers over vents, check for gaps (particularly around your roof, eaves, louvers, and air conditioning) where they can find their way inside. 

If for some reason you’ve found that birds have already moved in, check to see what kind of birds are nesting. Wait until there are no young present, then remove the nesting material and block openings with mesh, netting, or hardware cloth.

If young birds are present in the nest, you’ll have to leave them there until they are at least able to fly. Remember, depending on the local laws and ordinances, birds other than starlings and house sparrows might be protected by law, and therefore, removing their nests or eggs might be illegal.

Lastly, you might want to consider using anti-perching systems.  Stainless steel spikes might work well for pigeons or other larger birds, and is suitable for use on ledges, signs, fencing, lights, chimneys, and other structures around your home. 

For buildings (with lots of architectural detail), stainless steel coil might be more appropriate to use as these are more flexible and adaptable to just about any shape. Netting systems can also be used across open spaces or along the sides of buildings to deny birds access to your property.

Understanding Your Bird Infestation Problem

An unfortunate side-effect of droppings from nuisance birds is that the inhalation of these droppings can cause diseases in humans, specifically histoplasmosis and cryptococcosis. The birds themselves can also carry and transmit a number of diseases, including encephalitis, Salmonella, and toxoplasmosis. 

• Candidiasis is a yeast or fungus infection (also called thrush) that is spread by pigeons. The disease presents itself as white patches that affect the skin, the mouth, the respiratory system, the intestines, and the urogenital tract, often accompanied by itching and soreness.
• Cryptococcosis is a disease that typically manifests in people with compromised immune systems (such as those who might be HIV-positive). The disease is caused by yeast found in the intestinal tract of pigeons and starlings, starting out as a pulmonary disease then progressing further to affect the central nervous system. 
• E.coli, particularly the 0157:H7 strain is passed on to humans when birds peck on infected cow manure, then droppings from the bird land in our food or water supply. 
• Histoplasmosis is a respiratory infection caused after breathing in microscopic fungal spores, which may have been growing in soil that contains large amounts of bird droppings. Those who do get sick will probably experience a fever, cough, and fatigue; can be fatal to those with compromised immune systems.
• Salmonellosis manifests as “food poisoning” and can be traced to bacteria and dust from bird droppings sucked through ventilators and air conditioners, contaminating food and cooking surfaces in restaurants, homes and food processing plants. Most common symptoms include diarrhea, fever, abdominal cramps, and vomiting.
• Saint Louis encephalitis (SLE) is a viral disease spread to people by the bite of an infected mosquito which have fed on infected house sparrow, pigeons and house finches carrying the Group B virus. Most people infected with SLE virus have no apparent illness, but initial symptoms of those who fall ill include fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, and tiredness.

Note that, in addition to the diseases that they carry, nuisance birds are also notorious carriers of ectoparasites which can work their way and infest humans and pets.

Some of these parasites include bed bugs (Cimex lectularius), chicken mites (Dermanyssus gallinae), yellow mealworms (Tenebrio molitor), and the West Nile Virus, which may be transmitted to humans via the bite of a mosquito who has bitten an infected bird.