Pigeon Droppings - Stumped

[GaryK]

We were called to clean the gutters and blow loose debris from the tile roof of a large two story building that anchors a huge apartment complex which we service. It was the first time we had been called to clean the gutters of that building and, knowing of the pigeons, warned the property management company that we do not scoop and will not use backpack blowers on bird droppings. We based our quote on our normal terms and conditions and on so forth. We were protected that way. However the price did not come close to the budget that will eventually be needed to clean up what we encountered.

The crew discovered immediately that things were far worse than our worst imaginings. The gutters had been partially covered with wire mesh which had been mashed down in most places by both birds and moss balls that had rolled down the roof into the gutters over time. The pigeon waste was distributed along most of the gutters and was, of course, intermingled with the wire mesh although it was concentrated in a couple of particular areas.

As is our policy (supported by our terms and conditions), I told the foreman that he had the option to decline the job for safety reasons and did so. I literally do not know how I would approach this project if they come back and want this mess cleaned up or even if I want the job. Unfortunately, they are a big client and I can envision losing their other business over this situation.

I have attached some pix; one is an aerial shot of the building and the other two are details showing the material that was encountered by the crew. If anyone here has dealt with a situation like this and has some advice it would be most welcome. The only kinds of things that are popping into my head are aerial lifts, hot pressure washing, bleach, hazardous materials protective clothing and respirators, etc. (FYI, bird droppings harbor many, many virulent bacteria and viruses dangerous to humans).

Of course, this client is known for being "thrifty" and at least one person expressed concern about damage to the screens! (LOL)

[Jeff]

Worked around Pigeon poop for many years ( Bridge, sandblaster/painter) Stuff wont kill you, but sure can be nasty, respirator and Tyvec suit is plenty.

I would forward the pictures to whoever you deal with. I would tell them the Damaged screens at least have to be completely removed and thrown out and probably all the screens should be removed. Now replacing them is an option, or leaving them off completely (its easier to clean gutters when no screens are present and they should do it quarterly or biannually or annually

Like I said forward pics, those pics show & say a lot. tell them that those parts of the roofs need cleaning along with the gutters after screens are removed. I would give them a price. I would probaly use a lift if needed, spray some bleach and soap and blast the **** out of there, it will be a messy ground clean up.
Give them a price or let them deal with it, I would push the safety/health hazard thing to the property with your price

good look, nasty birds

[Apple Roof Cleaning]

Here in Florida, we encounter it on Roofs.
When we are faced with a LOT of Pigeon CHIT on a Tile Roof, we add some Sodium Hydroxide.
This works way bettter.
Here is some more ingo.

Pigeon CHIT is dangerous to humans’ health

EXCEPT in Port of Spain, pigeons are regarded as unacceptable, especially where they roost in large numbers.

And I based that exception on the attitude from the Public Health Department of the Port of Spain City Corporation and the Ministry of Health, both of which have been careless -- to say the least -- in their response to a dreaded health hazard at the Sacred Heart Girls’ R.C. School at Kew Place.

A few weeks ago, this column featured the growing horrors at the school which prides itself for a clean environment, when we printed photos of pigeon droppings on the railings and on the main staircase leading to the classrooms that are located on the first floor of the two storey building.

Maybe the folks at the Ministry of Education -- in whose hands the problem now rests -- thought it was a joke.

It did not matter to them that the school’s library is hardly ever in use because a class had to be relocated from one room to the library, to spare the teacher and the children the horrors of bird droppings.

Pigeon droppings cake the walkway

near the water taps.

Pigeon droppings on the staircase, too.

Small thing, they may have responded, especially since they have grown accustomed to ignoring bigger problems at some of the nation’s primary schools.

You know, it would be a straight case of somebody getting sick or falling through some bad flooring and TV6 getting there, before the Ministry of Education would make a move as if it had been on the problem for a long time.

But because they have ignored the problem, probably laughing it off as a few birds harassing the children, the situation has grown considerably worse.

Now, the pests -- regarded as the rats of the bird species -- have all but taken over the school.

They are nesting in all corners of the building, wherever they can find a space.

Therefore, their droppings are everywhere: at the main entrance, on the main staircase and worse yet, near the water taps where the children gather to lime at break time, or even quench their thirst.

Well, I sneaked into the building again to grab a few photos to highlight the problems which parents face, knowing that they are sending their children to school, to gather diseases.

And I am not joking, because I did the research for myself to find out all the hazards which pigeons pose, just in the case the folks at the Ministries of Health and Education are too lazy to get off their rears and do something for the children.

The website pigeon control.com reports that: “Pigeons are a population which is fast growing -- we call them the ‘flying rat’, some people argue this, but they do not know the full extent of the mess, damage and disease they cause.

“Pigeons are not a protected species, they are a health hazard to the work environment, can wreak havoc in the workplace and spread many diseases -- such as lung disease, heart disease, kidney disease, (brain disease through mosquito), salmonella, respiratory problems and asthma attacks.

“Pigeons have been likened to asbestos and for the health and safety of your work environment, should be removed and controlled.”

Pigeon’s highly acidic droppings can cause extensive damage to all surfaces and can contaminate products and stored goods.

Many viral diseases and health hazards can occur from the droppings of pigeons.

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 a 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.

“Chicken mites”, for example, 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, perhaps the most common beetle parasites of people live in pigeon nests.

“Droppings cost money.

“Cleaning crews, related equipment, and time spent can generate large financial outlays unrecoverable by revenues.

“Birds are destructive to property, equipment and merchandise, any of which can lead to large financial losses.

“They deface rooftops, floors, walls, vehicles and equipment.

“They halt operations and make repairs necessary by entangling themselves in machinery or downing power lines.”

And that’s just an indication of the horrible situation we face with a pigeon infestation in a primary school, where the children are younger and much more vulnerable.

With the dry season coming upon us in the next few days the situation will certainly get worse, as the diseases will certainly breed in the hot and dusty conditions.

So, will somebody please put ah hand to save our children from a pigeon infestation.

After all if they are considered as the rat among birds, then we are facing a rat infestation of sorts.

And that’s a dread-ful thing!

[GaryK]

A major problem with this is that the pigeon problem is directly over the main entrance to the building, which houses a 24 hour fitness place. When I explained the issue to the head of maintenance, all I got was the Homer Simpson eye blink and then a sort of scowl. We took pictures and offered them, but they are not interested in seeing them. Major denial going on there. This is an expensive cleanup short term, expensive pigeon abatement program long term and a liability/health issue for them. For now, we have just backed away entirely. Your post was an excellent encapsulation of information we have gleaned elsewhere.

Put it this way: To clean this, especially in gutters, is equivalent to scooping feces by hand out of a huge toilet. Without significant protective clothing and roping off a large area around this place, the liability issues are huge. And this does not consider the alternative solution that brings simple human dignity into the equation--we all know that there are companies that can acquire "employees" who are naive and/or desperate enough to do this work mostly by hand. And i have a feeling that one of those companies is going to end up with this job. At least it's not us!

[Apple Roof Cleaning]

I would PASS on this job, UNLESS you can figure out a way to shoo the Pigeons permanently away ? Mohave County Health Dept. Pigeon Zoonoses Unfounded Warning Notice
I would TRY to get someone in NYC Maintenance ?
They have HUGE bird problems in New Yourk Chitty, LOL

[Christopher]

I have bid some pigeon cleaning jobs and I will charge a lot as there is like over 60 diseases in their poo, it is a chance you take.

Wear the gloves, tyvek disposables, nitrile gloves, respirator, etc... and charge accordingly, If they do not want to pay and have it done right, the company that does the job might be in for more than what they bargained for and there will be a liability issue with the pm.

[back2new]

IS stupid but I'll call the health department and "give them a heads up", if they go ahead and inspect the place take it for granted they'll say yes to whatever your price is, it'll a lot less than the fine they'll receive if that is not taken care of.