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Rock Pigeon (Columba livia)

The Rock Dove, or Rock Pigeon, or simply Pigeon, is the oldest recorded bird to be domesticated by humans. They have been used, for years, as a way to send and receive messages, especially during times of war. They can be very useful birds, but the wild ones can inflict a large amount of damage to an area in a short amount of time. Pigeon removal can be a daunting process, but ASAP Operators know just the proper way to removal the birds from your home or business.

HABITAT AND DIET

While pigeons can be found in the wild, all across most of the world, they tend to settle in urban areas, like big cities. New York City, for example, has had a huge problem with pigeons for years. Wild pigeons that don’t nest in urban areas tend to prefer farmland or rocky cliffs to nest in.

When it comes to food, pigeons are far from picky eaters. Their diet generally consists of seeds, fruits, and bugs. However, pigeons are known to take advantage of any food humans leave out for them to access. In urban settings, pigeons will eat anything and everything.

DAMAGE

“What damage can a flock of birds do? Why do I need someone to help with pigeon removal? Are they really that big of a problem?”

Some people don’t understand the damages that flocks of pigeons can inflict. People usually just think of them as pests. They’re annoying and in the way, and their excrement is all over the place, but they really aren’t hurting me. Unfortunately, that isn’t always true.

While pigeons in and of themselves aren’t dangerous, they have been known to carry dangerous disease. They have been known to carry E. Coli, Salmonella, Listeria, West Nile Virus (though the virus is transmitted through mosquitoes that bite pigeons and then humans, rather than directly from the birds), and even a strain of meningitis. They can also aggravate people suffering from asthma and other breathing difficulties.

Not only that, but pigeon droppings contain a high level of acid that often eats into soft stone and wood, causing long-term damage to buildings. Their feathers and droppings can also contaminate water when they clog and go down drains.

The Common Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula)

Grackles are a very commonly found bird here in the Greater Houston area, and all through the country. Usually just called ‘blackbirds’, grackles pose a large problem to any home or business. Their intelligence and love for ripening corn makes them a huge pest for farmers and can make it difficult to remove them. ASAP Operators can help you with bird control to remove grackles from your home or business.

HABITAT AND DIET

The Common Grackle is commonly found in North America. They can be found from the east coast all the way to the Rocky Mountains, and from south Texas to the northern reaches of Canada. They prefer to make their nests in trees, though they can also be found nesting in homes and businesses as well.

Common Grackles usually have a varied diet. While they usually eat insects, seeds and plants, minnows and other small fish, they will often eat mice, as well as other small birds. Corn, and grains, offer a quick, and easy meal for grackles. In most cases, though, they find their food through foraging.

DAMAGE

At the best of times, Grackles can be considered a nuisance. At the worst of times, though, they can make bird control a drawn out process. With their intelligence and sheer numbers, they pose a serious threat to farmers with corn and grain crops. Flocks of grackles often target crops since they’re an easy food source.

While grackles themselves do not spread any diseases, their nests have been known to house histoplasmosis, a human respiratory disease that can be fatal at times.

Since grackles move in such large flocks, they can prove to be a nuisance in urban areas. Their droppings can be difficult to clean, depending on the size of the flock, and their loud annoying cries can drown out the surrounding noises.

 SOS-ASAP is ready to get started!

SOS-ASAP is dedicated to helping our clients prevent further and future damage by installing custom ordered chimney caps and vent guards that will do the most to keep birds out. More information can be obtained by calling us at 713-397-4477 or contacting us here.

SOS-ASAP works with homeowners to ensure that the home or building is restored to its previous condition or better! We specialize in understanding exactly what damage is likely as a result of your infestation and can assist you in working through the options available to ensure the safety and health of occupants as well as professional repair to your structure.