POOP RAILWAY STATION

POOP RAILWAY STATION

IMG_1701Pune railway has forbidden citizens from feeding pigeons at the kabutarkhana, as its excreta is harming the heritage building

It would not be hyperbolic to term them a killer flock — heritage conservationists and experts across the nation have documented how pigeon excreta has destroyed precious art and the challenge they face in the clean-up process. Closer home, the birds have unleashed havoc among passengers as well as staff at Pune Railway Station, provoking the authorities to put up a warning sign near the popular kabutarkhana and Mahatma Gandhi statue, barring citizens from feeding the pigeons, as it leads to an insurmountable task for the authorities to clean up the excreta.

“The pigeon population around the railway station’s premises has multiplied in recent times, thanks to people flocking here to dole out morsels of food. Their presence is affecting the heritage structure of the railway station. Its roof, the rooms inside and the passages have become very unclean. A few days ago, they had also invaded the VIP lounge and dormitories, leading to a rush of complaints from passengers,” said Sunil Kamthan, station manager at Pune Railway Station. He went on to say that the premises have to be mopped at least six times daily because of this invasion, and that even after, a strong stench lingers along the corridors. “We spent more than a lakh cleaning the roof and shelves of the building,” added Kamthan.

Since simply propping up a warning sign is not known to dissuade people from doing as they please, officers at the station have taken it upon themselves to walk up to the erring citizen to urge them to halt the act. “We have not imposed any fine for feeding the birds yet, but if this persists despite the warning, we will be forced to mandate punitive action,” said Kamthan.

Paresh Jagtap, a passenger, has welcomed the railway’s move, although he finds the flight of pigeons a pleasant sight on the premises. “The warning is legit, but they should continue in their efforts to keep the station premises clean,” said Jagtap. Vivek Bunthambe, a member of the cleaning staff at the railway station, said, “We have cleaned the entire building several times in one year, particularly the upper roof, and yet there is excreta all over the building. The passengers complain about the foul odour that the pigeons leave behind.”

Pigeon excreta is known to stain the surface of abuilding, gradually setting in the process of corrosion. “We generally water jet an unclean surface before restoration. The water is laced with lemon or cinnamon, but even this does not work on pigeon droppings and we have to use caustic chemicals for such spots. Besides this, the bacteria from the droppings attract termites, especially on limestone. And when such termites establish a colony, rats are attracted to feed on them, which establishes a cycle,” said V M Sharma, a civil engineer and contractor who has worked on the restoration of various Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) projects, as well as the restoration of the Red Fort, in New Delhi.

Mumbai-based conservation architect, Abha Narain Lambah, who has worked on the Victoria Memorial, Kolkata and the Tata Palace, Mumbai, where the Deutsche Bank is housed, called attention to the strong acids in the excreta that affect oft stones such as limestone and marble. “It corrodes the surface, discolouring it; at times, even small pits appear on the surface,” said Lambah.

Tejas Garge, an archaeologist from Central Archeological Survey of India, said the phosphorous in the pigeon excreta is known to damage monuments, and hence, too many pigeons around heritage structures can be harmful. “When pigeon excreta lodges inside intricate designs, they are ruined forever. The only thing that remains is stone. It affects the plastering, damaging the structure, as in the case of the Ajanta and Ellora caves. After a rigorous study on the damages, bird proof nets have been put up at these places,” said Garge.

Pigeon excreta corrodes the surface, discolouring it. In some cases, small pits are known to appear on the surface

 

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)

Birth control for birds? City leaders look to eliminate pigeons

Birth control for birds? City leaders look to eliminate pigeons

pigeonWeathered residents of Cherryville are mucking up Main Street, and city leaders are looking to curb the problem.
The solution is in the feed.
City Council members recently discussed giving birth control to pigeons.
“Within a year, the pigeon population is diminished through attrition,” Cherryville City Manager Ben Blackburn said.
There are two groups of pigeons living along Main Street, Cherryville Mayor H.L. Beam said.
The birds leave droppings on the sidewalk, cause an odor and destroy property, he said.
The city’s historical museum had significant damage when pigeons came in through a broken window and started to roost, he said.
Beam has worked along Main Street for decades. He remembers one business owner arming himself to take care of the pigeon population years ago.
Beam remembers working late one night and hearing, “Pow, pow, pow.” A fellow businessman tried to eliminate the birds by shooting them, Beam said.
Someone else used poison, but watching birds die on the sidewalks wasn’t something people wanted to see, Beam said.
Blackburn said the city once looked to owls to eliminate the pigeons, but that didn’t work either.
Council members discussed the special bird food during a work session this week.
If the plan is approved at the next council meeting, two bird feeders will be placed on either side of Main Street.
The initial setup will cost about $5,000.
Food would cost about $2,000 each year after.
Within three to five years, the pigeons should be gone from Cherryville, Beam said.
The idea of pigeon elimination came from the city’s Small Town Main Street program.
Through the state initiative, the city has been making improvements to revitalize the downtown area.
Façade grants have been offered. Murals are being restored, and outdoor furniture is being installed.
Some might say pigeons are part of an urban landscape. Beam says they’re a nuisance, and they are residents he wouldn’t mind seeing leave Cherryville.

 

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)

Gang of 100 seagulls attacked me with poo, says Plymouth man

Gang of 100 seagulls attacked me with poo, says Plymouth man

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A PLYMOUTH man says his day was ruined when an army of more than 100 seagulls and pigeons suddenly swarmed on his car and started pooing all over it.

Arnold Barnes said he was enjoying a visit to Devils Point with his wife when the incident happened.

Mr Barnes, from Crownhill, blames two women who brought carrier bags full of food to feed the hungry birds.

He said “at least 100 seagulls and pigeons” immediately flocked to the shoreline and pooed on cars so badly that some motorists sped off to avoid them.

 

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)

Queens Residents Disgusted By Pigeons Splattering Sidewalk With Droppings August 28, 2015 6:56 PM

Queens Residents Disgusted By Pigeons Splattering Sidewalk With Droppings August 28, 2015 6:56 PM

WHITBY -- Columnist Margaret Carney. July 18, 2012

WHITBY — Columnist Margaret Carney. July 18, 2012

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) — Residents of a Queens neighborhood said they’ve had enough of the pigeon problem that’s left their street a disgusting mess, but they don’t know who to ask for help.
As CBS2’s Steve Langford reported, residents turned to CBS2’s Facebook Page, saying the pigeons have taken over a house with droppings covering the sidewalk, forcing people to walk on the street, and stinking up the neighborhood.
“This looks like another episode of the Birds, Alfred Hitchcock, it’s kind of scary,” one resident said.
The scene on Parsons Boulevard in Flushing evoked comparisons to a horror movie from a half century ago, and other foul concerns.
“I had the unfortunate experience of being hit by a couple of them,” Mirana Zuger said.
Neighbors complained that pigeons have been crowding the power line in front of one home every day.
One woman did wax philosophical about the birds.
“I think every living being has a right to live,” she said.
But do they have to live here? Some locals asked.
“This thing is disgusting cause it smells especially when it gets very hot, humid, smells,” Louis Sarmiento said.
The sidewalk has practically been repaved with pigeon droppings. Complaints to the occupant have not gone well a neighbor said.
“They called the police, they called the police,” she said.
CBS2 left for a few minutes and returned to find that someone had dumped a bunch of rice on the sidewalk.
“No, have you seen me feeding the pigeons?,” she said.
As for the pigeon droppings all over the sidewalk, the resident said it’s the city’s responsibility to clean it up.
When asked why the pigeons where there, she had a beaut of a response.
“Ask the pigeons.”
Some neighbors said it’s her horror film, or comedy.

 

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)

Downtown building owner seeks city’s help with pigeons

Downtown building owner seeks city’s help with pigeons

KT95102-08CHILLICOTHE – A downtown building owner has reached out to city officials in hopes they will take action to deal with pigeons in the area, although one city councilwoman says the issue appears to be one that won’t be solved anytime soon.

Cam Shipley, who owns the structure known as the Warner Hotel that spans from 27-37 N. Paint St., approached city officials earlier this week about his concerns about pigeons in the area. He said he wants an ordinance drafted because he isn’t permitted to kill the birds and referred to them as being “a real health issue.”

Shipley said he has tried to deter pigeons through various means, including noisemakers, chemicals being sprayed and plastic owls being displayed. Shipley addressed a city committee on Monday about the issue.

“The fact that they’re even talking about it is interesting because you’re going to find that there are animal activists that say, ‘No, you shouldn’t kill anything’ and I agree, I agree with it, but they don’t have the problems we have and they don’t have the serious health issues from the droppings that are all over the building all over town,” Shipley said.

Currently, Shipley has a net above his building to deter the birds and believes once the Carlisle Building opens for business later this fall, pigeons will be a problem there as well. Shipley is also considering an electrical deterrent on the building, adding that he is looking at other alternatives in the meantime and hopes the city will take some action on the matter in the next year or two.

Still, he stressed that he thinks downtown Chillicothe has a bright future ahead of itself and thinks pigeons continue to be an issue until some solution is found to control them. Bob Etling, who owns a building located on West Second Street, is in favor of controlling pigeons and suggested having a few hawks in the downtown area to get rid of them.

“That’s the natural solution,” Etling said.

But City Councilwoman Beth Neal said she thinks the pigeon issue won’t go away anytime soon.

She said officials will explore what has worked in other locations to deal with pigeons, but stressed that it appears there isn’t much the city can do in the meantime.

“It’s an ongoing problem that will never be solved and all we can do is try to find a humane way to control the pigeons, to make sure we’re not doing anything to encourage them to roost there,” Neal said. “Our goal is to see how we can help downtown building owners. It’s not a problem we’re going to resolve.”

 

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)