by Pigeon Patrol | Jun 4, 2014 | Animal Deterrent Products, Bird Deterrent Products, Bird Netting, Pigeon Spikes, Pigeons in the News
A 90-year-old Geneva man has been ordered evicted from the apartment he has been renting for more than 50 years for allegedly feeding pigeons on his balcony, according to a news media report.
The pensioner recently received a registered letter informing him that he had to leave the three-room flat in the heart of the city by the end of this month, Le Matin newspaper reported over the weekend.
“What’s happening to me is scandalous, unthinkable,” the elderly tenant told the newspaper.
Brolliet, the company managing the apartment building, said his lease was being terminated for “just cause”, referring to the man’s “intolerable behaviour” for feeding the pigeons after letting them come into his balcony.
The tenant, however, told Le Matin that he had not been feeding the birds since the death of his wife two years ago.
“And it’s not a crime,” he added, noting that he always paid his rent as required and even ahead of time.
The real estate management company maintains that it sent out the eviction letter after complaints from neighbours came to the attention of the building’s owners, a cooperative group.
“I don’t know how they could be so nasty,” said the pensioner, who faces a challenge trying to find another apartment for the 900 francs a month he is currently paying (including charges).
“Neighbours received pigeon droppings and and we are certain they came from his place,” Guy Tornare, head of the cooperative that owns the building, told Le Matin.
The situation has been known for many years but could “no longer be tolerated” after the building was renovated in February, Tornare said.
“I almost received (pigeon) excrement on my head during a visit,” Claude Guillod, an administrator with the coop, is quoted as saying by Le Matin.
Guillod said the bird droppings are dangerous because they can spread diseases.
“What has happened to this man is sad but it is because he has not listened that we have come to this.”
Guillod rejected the idea that the building owners wanted to get rid of the 90-year-old in order to raise the rent, saying that the issue was one of “hygiene”.
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 Pigeon Patrol | May 1, 2014 | 4-S Gel Bird repellent, Animal Deterrent Products, Bird Deterrent Products, Bird Netting, Pigeon Spikes, UltraSonic Bird Control
More than 60 transmissible diseases (some of which are fatal) are associated with geese, pigeons, starlings and house sparrows. For example:
Histoplasmosis is a respiratory disease that may be fatal. It results from a fungus growing in dried bird droppings.
Candidiasis is a yeast or fungus infection spread by pigeons. The disease affects the skin, the mouth, the respiratory system, the intestines and the urogenital tract, especially the vagina. It is a growing problem for women, causing itching, pain and discharge.
Cryptococcosis is caused by yeast found in the intestinal tract of pigeons and starlings. The illness often begins as a pulmonary disease and may later affect the central nervous system. Since attics, cupolas, ledges, schools, offices, warehouses, mills, barns, park buildings, signs, etc. are typical roosting and nesting sites, the fungus is apt to found in these areas.
St. Louis Encephalitis, an inflammation of the nervous system, usually causes drowsiness, headache and fever. It may even result in paralysis, coma or death. St. Louis encephalitis occurs in all age groups, but is especially fatal to persons over age 60. The disease is spread by mosquitoes which have fed on infected house sparrow, pigeons and house finches carrying the Group B virus responsible for St. Louis encephalitis.
Salmonellosis often occurs as “food poisoning” and can be traced to pigeons, starlings and sparrows. The disease bacteria are found in bird droppings; dust from droppings can be sucked through ventilators and air conditioners, contaminating food and cooking surfaces in restaurants, homes and food processing plants.
Besides being direct carriers of disease, nuisance birds are frequently associated with over 50 kinds of ectoparasites, which can work their way throughout structures to infest and bite humans. About two-thirds of these pests may be detrimental to the general health and well-being of humans and domestic animals. The rest are considered nuisance or incidental pests. A few examples of ectoparasites include:
Chicken mites (Dermanyssus gallinae) are known carriers of encephalitis and may also cause fowl mite dermatitis and acariasis. While they subsist on blood drawn from a variety of birds, they may also attack humans. They have been found on pigeons, starlings and house sparrows.
Yellow mealworms (Tenebrio molitor), perhaps the most common beetle parasites of people in the United States, live in pigeon nests. It is found in grain or grain products, often winding up in breakfast cereals, and may cause intestinal canthariasis and hymenolespiasis.
West Nile Virus while West Nile is technically not transmitted to humans from birds, humans can get infected by the bite of a mosquito who has bitten an infected bird. The obvious lesson is that the fewer birds there are in any given area, the better. This translates into a smaller chance of an infected bird in that area, a smaller chance of a mosquito biting an infected bird and then biting a human.
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 Pigeon Patrol | Apr 7, 2014 | Bird Deterrent Products, Bird Netting, Pigeon Patrol's Services, Pigeons in the News, UltraSonic Bird Control
Ned Corbett-Winder, 29, said his small business now cannot afford to use the regular parcel service and is now testing the new animal-based technique to save money.The owner of NotAnotherBill.com said he is standing up for the little guys and is not willing to pay the hiked prices.
He said: “Businesses like mine rely on Royal Mail and we’re at the mercy of these price hikes.
“The latest price increase will cost my business around £2,500 over the course of a year which for a small business is a huge amount of money.
“Government is supposed to be supporting small businesses but this move flies in the face of that support and I fear that with the privatisation of the Royal Mail price increases like this are going to become a regular occurrence.”
New Royal Mail prices came in to effect on Monday.
First class stamps increased by 2p to 62p and second class now start at 53p rather than 50p.
In 2012, a first class stamp cost 46p, a third less than what it is now.
Ned has taken on his new pigeon delivery service by setting up a flying route from his home in Acton, west London to a destination 59 miles away in Oxford.
The homing birds, which were used largely throughout the first and second world war, have been used throughout history to transport messages.
PIGEONS: The birds are all set up to test new routes [NATIONAL NEWS AND PICTURES]
He is now testing if the pigeons would really be reliable enough to deliver letters on a regular basis.Ned said: “People always joke that if their parcel is late it would have been quicker sending it by carrier pigeon. Well I’m testing the theory out.”
By placing food at the location, the birds have so far back and forth travelled twice a day.
They could carry parcels up to 75g with the journey taking just over an hour to get there with the birds flying over 50mph.
After Royal Mail was sold in October last year, many are saying the organisation was undervalued and taxpayers have not received enough in return.
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) Now shipping World Wide.
by Pigeon Patrol | Feb 18, 2014 | 4-S Gel Bird repellent, Bird Deterrent Products, Bird Netting, Pigeon Patrol's Services, Pigeons in the News
Clean-up Procedures
Pigeon feces may contain bacteria and other pathogens that can cause illness. Prevent infection by avoiding direct contact with bird debris while cleaning affected areas. Keep children and pets away from areas which have accumulated bird debris.
Wear personal protection equipment (PPE) when cleaning up fecal matter
Follow these steps to clean and sanitize properly:
- Prepare a 10 percent solution of sodium hypochlorite by mixing one part bleach with nine parts water.
- If indoors, mist the area to settle suspended air-borne particles.
- Soak the area with the bleach solution and leave it undisturbed for at least 10 minutes. This will disinfect and soften the droppings, making them easy to remove.
- apply and spread the bleach solution.
- Re-wet the area with the bleach solution if the area starts to dry during the 10 minute soak.
- Dense accumulations of feces may require repeated applications of the bleach solution.
- Place the debris into a doubled plastic bag (a plastic bag in another plastic bag).
- Use a square-nosed shovel or a hoe to scrape up the debris.
- Seal both bags.
- Place bags in the outside trash.
- Using dish soap or laundry detergent, scrub the area with a stiff brush or broom to remove debris from cracks and crevices. Rinse area with water.
- A power washer can be used for this step.
- Reapply the bleach solution and keep the area wet for another 10 minutes. Do not rinse.
- If the treated area receives at least 4 hours of direct sun, this step can be omitted as ultraviolet light has disinfecting properties.
- Air-dry before allowing people and pets into the area.
This procedure may not remove all stains and the use of bleach may discolor walkways, sides of building, and other structures and may cause damage to growing vegetation. Damage may be prevented by using a commercial disinfectant without sodium hypochlorite. Read label instructions before using these products.
If a sensitive area receives a considerable amount of sunlight, the disinfectant may not be necessary as the sun’s UV light works as a natural disinfectant. Physical removal of the debris is necessary. This method is also considered acceptable for areas with little or no foot traffic.
Keep children and pets away from contaminated areas until they have been cleaned, sanitized and dried.
- If pigeon debris is in an enclosed area, such as an attic, open windows and use fans to force fresh air into the area before cleaning.
- Leave area undisturbed to prevent air-borne particles.
- Never handle a dead bird with your bare hands.
- Use rubber gloves or an inverted plastic bag to pick up the bird.
- Place the dead bird into a plastic bag, seal bag and place in an outdoor, covered trash container.
- Clothes worn during cleaning should be washed separately in hot water. If possible use a disinfectant in the wash.
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) Now shipping World Wide.
by Pigeon Patrol | Feb 6, 2014 | Bird Deterrent Products, Pigeon Patrol's Services, Pigeon Spikes, Pigeons in the News
Disgruntle tenant has gone to the birds
Pigeon Patrol called out to help with the roosting pigeons.
A North Vancouver man is crying foul over the effort he says he had to go through to get his landlord to deal with an unhealthy mess of pigeon poop lying inches deep outside his apartment.
“There’s certain standards they are supposed to abide by,” said Michael Ravenscroft, who rents an apartment at 107 West 1st Street.
Ravenscroft said he complained to his property management company, the City of North Vancouver and the health department for a month about the problem before anyone took notice.
“Any other situation where there’s a biohazard, they have a hazmat team come in,” said Ravenscroft. “It’s taken way too lightly.”
Ravenscroft said any time he’s called the authorities, to ask that the property owners be ordered to clean up the pigeon droppings, “They say it’s done. It’s not done.”
Ravenscroft said he first became concerned there might be a problem when he smelled something bad in one area of his apartment and couldn’t find the source, no matter how much he cleaned. It was only when he looked outside, to one of two light shafts running down the middle of the heritage building, that he realized what the problem was: layers of pigeon droppings and decomposing pigeon carcasses.
Until recently, Ravenscroft said he had a hard time getting anyone to take the issue seriously.
Pigeons, that often make nests in covered areas of buildings, are known to carry diseases that can be transferred to humans.
Pigeon droppings can carry funguses and – more rarely – an infectious disease that can be contracted by anyone breathing in dried droppings.
Paul Markey, environmental health officer for Vancouver Coastal Health, said the risk is greatest for people actually cleaning the mess rather than living near it.
Markey said a health officer met the property manager on site last week and received assurances the light shaft areas will be cleaned.
Markey added that a number of pigeon-proofing measures have already been placed around the building – including metal spikes that prevent pigeons and other birds from roosting.
He said those will now have to be added to the areas of the building above the light shafts.
Joanne Stevens of Living Balance, the property management company for the building, said she’s aware of the problem and is arranging for cleanup and further pigeon-proofing.
Andrew MacBain of Pigeon Patrol, a Lower Mainland company that specializes in bird-proofing, said he’s taken a look at the problem and will be submitting a plan to get all areas cleaned up by the end of the week.
Pigeons are a huge pest problem all over the Lower Mainland, said MacBain – roosting on ledges, apartment balconies or under awnings. MacBain said his company manufactures and installs spikes to deter the birds, as well as netting and Ultrasonic and sonic devices that scare birds away with high-pitched frequencies as well as sounds that imitate predators.
He adds there’s no shortage of business.
– See more at: http://www.nsnews.com/news/tenant-raises-stink-over-pigeon-filth-1.347112#sthash.ZEk5Z4pK.dpuf
A North Vancouver man is crying foul over the effort he says he had to go through to get his landlord to deal with an unhealthy mess of pigeon poop lying inches deep outside his apartment.
“There’s certain standards they are supposed to abide by,” said Michael Ravenscroft, who rents an apartment at 107 West 1st Street.
Ravenscroft said he complained to his property management company, the City of North Vancouver and the health department for a month about the problem before anyone took notice.
“Any other situation where there’s a biohazard, they have a hazmat team come in,” said Ravenscroft. “It’s taken way too lightly.”
Ravenscroft said any time he’s called the authorities, to ask that the property owners be ordered to clean up the pigeon droppings, “They say it’s done. It’s not done.”
Ravenscroft said he first became concerned there might be a problem when he smelled something bad in one area of his apartment and couldn’t find the source, no matter how much he cleaned. It was only when he looked outside, to one of two light shafts running down the middle of the heritage building, that he realized what the problem was: layers of pigeon droppings and decomposing pigeon carcasses.
Until recently, Ravenscroft said he had a hard time getting anyone to take the issue seriously.
Pigeons, that often make nests in covered areas of buildings, are known to carry diseases that can be transferred to humans.
Pigeon droppings can carry funguses and – more rarely – an infectious disease that can be contracted by anyone breathing in dried droppings.
Paul Markey, environmental health officer for Vancouver Coastal Health, said the risk is greatest for people actually cleaning the mess rather than living near it.
Markey said a health officer met the property manager on site last week and received assurances the light shaft areas will be cleaned.
Markey added that a number of pigeon-proofing measures have already been placed around the building – including metal spikes that prevent pigeons and other birds from roosting.
He said those will now have to be added to the areas of the building above the light shafts.
Joanne Stevens of Living Balance, the property management company for the building, said she’s aware of the problem and is arranging for cleanup and further pigeon-proofing.
Andrew MacBain of Pigeon Patrol, a Lower Mainland company that specializes in bird-proofing, said he’s taken a look at the problem and will be submitting a plan to get all areas cleaned up by the end of the week.
Pigeons are a huge pest problem all over the Lower Mainland, said MacBain – roosting on ledges, apartment balconies or under awnings. MacBain said his company manufactures and installs spikes to deter the birds, as well as netting and sonic devices that scare birds away with high-pitched frequencies as well as sounds that imitate predators.
He adds there’s no shortage of business.
– See more at: http://www.nsnews.com/news/tenant-raises-stink-over-pigeon-filth-1.347112#sthash.ZEk5Z4pK.dpuf
