by johnnymarin | Nov 13, 2018 | Pigeon Patrol's Services
Associated British Ports (ABP) suspended its planned pigeon cull following a petition against the controlled killing and a planned protest to debunk it.
Animal lover and carer Molly Potter, 21, organised a protest against on the cull for Sunday, November 18 and has called for activists to protest outside the port offices this week.
On Facebook Miss Potter told the 150 would-be protestors that she wanted them to be “as disruptive as possible”.
Protestors had painted billboards for the event and were planning to save pigeons from being shot in the cull.
But spokesman for ABP has now said: “ABP has taken the decision to suspend the proposed pigeon cull, whilst we take advice from the appropriate environmental organisations on the latest alternative solutions available to us.”
Miss Potter was overjoyed by the latest development.
She said: “It’s absolutely marvellous that it has been suspended.
“We will continue to do everything in the background, if we don’t keep the pressure up I don’t know if the suspension will hold.”
If the cull goes the ahead then Miss Potter and the other activists will be taking action.
She said: “We are planning to be disruptive, we just want to find a peaceful solution to this going forward.”
Miss Potter saved a pigeon called Zazu last year after he fell out of the nest.
She said: “They are such intelligent and beautiful birds, it breaks my heart that people can do this and think of them as pests.”
21-year-old Lauren Bruen, a student at the University of Suffolk, co-created a petition calling for the prime minister to stop the pigeon cull.
Miss Bruen said: “Once I was aware of the cull I knew I wanted to do something about it.
“I believe that the amount of litter humans throw (which is made clear by images of Ipswich areas) is a reminder that we are to blame.
“A cull isn’t going to improve any situation.”
About Pigeon Patrol:
Pigeon Patrol Products & Services is the leading manufacturer and distributor of bird deterrent (control) products in Canada. Pigeon Patrol products have solved pest bird problems in industrial, commercial, and residential settings since 2000, by using safe and humane bird deterrents with only bird and animal friendly solutions. At Pigeon Patrol, we manufacture and offer a variety of bird deterrents, ranging from Ultra-flex Bird Spikes with UV protection, Bird Netting, 4-S Gel and the best Ultrasonic and audible sound devices on the market today.
Voted Best Canadian wholesaler for Bird Deterrent products four years in a row.
Contact Info: 1- 877– 4– NO-BIRD (www.pigeonpatrol.ca)
by johnnymarin | Nov 11, 2018 | Pigeon Patrol's Services
On Saturday, a flock of pigeons gathered inside of the Community Park Center, not just because it was the “coo” thing to do, but because it was part of the Jacksonville Area Pigeon Club’s 45th Annual All-Breed Pigeon Show.
For the uninitiated, a pigeon show is quite the sight. Rows and rows of cages contain beautiful pigeons of all shapes, colors, breeds, all being observed by judges and participants who, for one reason or another, fell in love with these feathered fellows.
“I was into it when I was a little kid, younger than (Cooper) is, and my mom had some birds and I just took a liking to them and then my kids followed in my footsteps,” Aaron Lorton said. “They’re really interesting. They have a lot of different genetic color patterns. They can come out all different colors so it’s a surprise when you get babies out of them. It’s a fun and unique hobby that not a lot of people do.”
The Jacksonville Area Pigeon Club, or JAPC, was founded in 1973 to foster greater interest in the hobby of pigeon breeding and care. Its goal, explained Sarah Brown with the JAPC, is to get more people into the hobby, especially younger kids that might be interested in 4-H activities.
This show, in particular, featured 27 different breeds of birds with over 200 entries into the competition. Not only was there the competition, but there were raffles, auctions, and meals to add to the excitement of a room packed with pigeons.
“I came on as secretary and found out that there were more people into pigeons than I thought,” Brown said. “They just didn’t know we were having the show so we’re kind of branching out.”
The show attracted people from all around the area with interest in pigeons. David Averbeck, a judge at the show that came all the way from St. Louis, said he has gone all the way to California for pigeon shows. There’s quite the interest, he said, but what the hobby needs more than anything is more young people getting interested in what is certainly a unique and interesting hobby.
“It’d be good to see younger people get into the hobby,” Averbeck said. “It’s a hobby that a lot of older people are in but it’d be great to see younger people get involved. Come to junior shows like this. Go to 4-H clubs, have the older people give a presentation out to 4-H clubs. Get the word out there.”
About Pigeon Patrol:
Pigeon Patrol Products & Services is the leading manufacturer and distributor of bird deterrent (control) products in Canada. Pigeon Patrol products have solved pest bird problems in industrial, commercial, and residential settings since 2000, by using safe and humane bird deterrents with only bird and animal friendly solutions. At Pigeon Patrol, we manufacture and offer a variety of bird deterrents, ranging from Ultra-flex Bird Spikes with UV protection, Bird Netting, 4-S Gel and the best Ultrasonic and audible sound devices on the market today.
Voted Best Canadian wholesaler for Bird Deterrent products four years in a row.
Contact Info: 1- 877– 4– NO-BIRD (www.pigeonpatrol.ca)
by johnnymarin | Nov 9, 2018 | Pigeon Patrol's Services
The noisy Diwali celebration not only affected residents but also animals and birds. Many animals were found injured and scared. Some were seen running helter skelter due to the loud cracker noises. As many as eight animals, including strays and pigeons, suffered injuries or were found in a state of shock due to the noise of crackers during four-day festival, said city-based NGOs. Recommended By Colombia While Pet Owners and Animal Lovers (PAL) had received three cases in which dogs and a pigeon were injured. “All the three strays that were rescued by PAL were either found in a state of shock and were shivering or they had suffered injuries because they were running around in fear. One of the dogs fractured his leg after he rammed into a motorcycle. Another one suffered injures on his paw and maggots were on it. If the wound does not heal then we will have to amputate it,” said Dr. Hemant Thange, a city-based veterinarian. Even Plants and Animals Welfare Society (PAWS) rescued four pigeons who were found in a state of shock. The helpline numbers of animal NGOs were ringing off the hook as many feeders and pet owners were asking for advice. “We came across four pigeons who were found in a state of shock as they are vulnerable to loud noises. We kept them in a cage that was covered with a cloth. They were kept in isolation so that they could calm down. Once they were stable, we shifted them to a shelter home,” said Nilesh Bhanage, founder of PAWS.
About Pigeon Patrol:
Pigeon Patrol Products & Services is the leading manufacturer and distributor of bird deterrent (control) products in Canada. Pigeon Patrol products have solved pest bird problems in industrial, commercial, and residential settings since 2000, by using safe and humane bird deterrents with only bird and animal friendly solutions. At Pigeon Patrol, we manufacture and offer a variety of bird deterrents, ranging from Ultra-flex Bird Spikes with UV protection, Bird Netting, 4-S Gel and the best Ultrasonic and audible sound devices on the market today.
Voted Best Canadian wholesaler for Bird Deterrent products four years in a row.
Contact Info: 1- 877– 4– NO-BIRD (www.pigeonpatrol.ca)
by johnnymarin | Nov 7, 2018 | Pigeon Patrol's Services
I’ve got bugs in my blood. After 58 years in the pest control industry, it’s something that I can’t easily turn off. This was blatantly evident on our celebratory birthday vacation for my milestone 65th.
Wife Robin, daughter Leah and I enjoyed two weeks in sunny Italy. I was instinctively attuned to the environment around me, especially when it came to my hosts, often possessing six legs or more.
The more we traveled, my perspective of Italian life (read: sanitation) broadened. It really was a land of contrasts.
Our first stop was urban Florence. My eyes were naturally drawn to all of the restaurant kitchen doors being propped open. Each kitchen seemed to be better than the previous: spotless floors, shining equipment.
Flies and other winged pests seemed to be at a minimum here. Outdoor dining, the norm, never seemed to be intruded upon. Our focus could stay uninterrupted on the food, people watching and soaking-up a new and vibrant culture.
It was difficult, if not impossible, to ignore the pigeons. Everyone seemed to regale in strolling among them and tossing food to watch them tussle for their next meal. They seemed to be as much at home as the 16th and 17th-century icons we ritually visited.
As we ventured to rural Florence, pest activity was turned up a notch. We drove, for what seemed an eternity, through countless miles of grape vineyards and olive orchards. We stayed in a renovated early 19th century stone villa in the rolling hills of Tuscany.
Even before getting our bags inside, we were greeted by a stream of solitary wasps. Nesting under the terracotta tiled roof, they seemed to appear as if to say “Ciao, welcome to your vacation home.”
The next day, my outdoor relaxation was brought to a screeching halt. I was rudely given a reality check by a stink bug landing on my forehead and another on my leg. They somehow knew my bug arsenal was left behind on the other side of the world.
Flying Vacuum Cleaners
Our days were filled exploring small towns and villages throughout the Chianti region. Lunch and dinner were shared with the locals, including the resident pigeons.
It became evident that these winged creatures play a useful role in the restaurant trade: flying vacuums.
While stateside restaurateurs readily employ a hand-powered push vac, many eateries we patronized engaged the services of their no-cost winged buddies. Pigeons made themselves at home, strolling under tables, doing a very efficient job of cleaning. They were readily welcomed. I never saw any of them being shooed away. Roosting on a tabletop was commonplace, especially when the previous diner inadvertently left some food crumbs.
It seemed unusual that a culture would welcome parasite-infested creatures into their dining areas, while at the same time they appeared to be operating with superb sanitation procedures.
I often state how fortunate we are to have food laws and regulators to enforce them. It is something that we take for granted until we experience how others live.
About Pigeon Patrol:
Pigeon Patrol Products & Services is the leading manufacturer and distributor of bird deterrent (control) products in Canada. Pigeon Patrol products have solved pest bird problems in industrial, commercial, and residential settings since 2000, by using safe and humane bird deterrents with only bird and animal friendly solutions. At Pigeon Patrol, we manufacture and offer a variety of bird deterrents, ranging from Ultra-flex Bird Spikes with UV protection, Bird Netting, 4-S Gel and the best Ultrasonic and audible sound devices on the market today.
Voted Best Canadian wholesaler for Bird Deterrent products four years in a row.
Contact Info: 1- 877– 4– NO-BIRD (www.pigeonpatrol.ca)
by johnnymarin | Nov 6, 2018 | Pigeon Patrol's Services
London’s busiest train station has recruited a hawk to scare off pigeons following a spate of complaints from angry passengers.
Aria, a five-year-old Harris hawk, has begun patrolling Waterloo station in a bid to stop people having to “fight” off pigeons while eating.
There are 27 food and drink retailers at the Network Rail-managed station, and many customers have complained about pigeons pecking at food and leaving a mess.
The birds have been pictured sitting brazenly on tables and chairs, while some people have reported being defecated on from above while waiting for their train.
Recent TripAdvisor reviews of the station’s venues include a warning about “loads of pigeons flapping around whilst you are trying to eat” and a description of someone having to “fight pigeons for my food.”
Another visitor even suggested passengers should “bring a fly swat for the pigeons.”
Jason Murphy, Waterloo area manager for Network Rail, said: “Pigeons can be a real nuisance for people using the station. They also cause a lot of mess which needs cleaning up at some expense.”
“Aria’s work is really important in making the station a better place for our passengers while saving us money on our cleaning bills.”
“She’s a very hard worker and we’re delighted to have her as part of the station team here at Waterloo.”
Aria will be on duty at the station twice a week for two-hour shifts.
She was raised in St Albans and has previously been deployed by London King’s Cross station and the Treasury to keep pigeons away.
Aria’s handler, Max Bell, said: “Aria really enjoys the environment at Waterloo and is delighted to be here.”
“She does a great job and often likes to reward herself with a relaxing bath in the puddles that gather on the rain shelters over the platforms.”
About Pigeon Patrol:
Pigeon Patrol Products & Services is the leading manufacturer and distributor of bird deterrent (control) products in Canada. Pigeon Patrol products have solved pest bird problems in industrial, commercial, and residential settings since 2000, by using safe and humane bird deterrents with only bird and animal friendly solutions. At Pigeon Patrol, we manufacture and offer a variety of bird deterrents, ranging from Ultra-flex Bird Spikes with UV protection, Bird Netting, 4-S Gel and the best Ultrasonic and audible sound devices on the market today.
Voted Best Canadian wholesaler for Bird Deterrent products four years in a row.
Contact Info: 1- 877– 4– NO-BIRD (www.pigeonpatrol.ca)
by johnnymarin | Nov 4, 2018 | Pigeon Patrol's Services
Associated British Ports (ABP), who own the port at Ipswich, have informed people living nearby that they are due to carry out a controlled killing of pigeons on Sunday, November 18, between 10am and 1pm.
They will be carrying out the cull to curb the pigeon population and ensure it doesn’t endanger the UK’s food supply chain.
ABP have reiterated their reasoning for carrying out the cull and reassured residents the culling will be completed quickly and humanely using trained professionals.
“ABP is part of the UK’s food supply chain and as such, we adhere to strict regulations regarding the control of pests at the Port of Ipswich,” a spokesman said.
“Measures are in place to prevent the spread of disease, stop serious damage to food and preserve public health and safety.
“We are committed to safeguarding the integrity of the UK’s food supply.
They added: “The cull will be carried out by shooting, the quickest and most humane method, by trained professionals under licenses issued by the appropriate government agencies.”
According to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), land owners and people given permission by authorities or the Environment Agency are granted a general licence to cull certain wild birds.
The licence can only be used to preserve public health or to ensure public safety.
It cannot be used to simply cull birds that considered to be a nuisance.
Strict laws also state the birds must be killed and/or taken quickly and humanely.
This can be done using either a semi-automatic weapon, a cage trap or even a net.
If all these rules are adhered to, then a number of birds, including pigeons, magpies and Canada geese, can be killed or taken.
Bosses at ABP also said they had explored other avenues in managing the pigeon population.
The spokesman said: “We have examined all the possibilities in managing the pigeon population and we are now fulfilling our legal obligations in the most effective and humane way possible.
“These actions are necessary to protect the UK public.”
About Pigeon Patrol:
Pigeon Patrol Products & Services is the leading manufacturer and distributor of bird deterrent (control) products in Canada. Pigeon Patrol products have solved pest bird problems in industrial, commercial, and residential settings since 2000, by using safe and humane bird deterrents with only bird and animal friendly solutions. At Pigeon Patrol, we manufacture and offer a variety of bird deterrents, ranging from Ultra-flex Bird Spikes with UV protection, Bird Netting, 4-S Gel and the best Ultrasonic and audible sound devices on the market today.
Voted Best Canadian wholesaler for Bird Deterrent products four years in a row.
Contact Info: 1- 877– 4– NO-BIRD (www.pigeonpatrol.ca)