Property Damage

Unsightly: Pigeon droppings deface homes, buildings, and other structures like fences, benches and picnic tables.

Corrosive: Droppings contain uric acid, a highly corrosive substance, costing private building owners and taxpayers millions in cleanup, maintenance, and repair costs. Some of their biggest targets include roofs and siding, rooftop machinery and parked cars.

Water damage: Nests can clog drainage pipes and gutters, leading backup and significant water damage. Rooftop draining systems that are blocked by nesting material have been known to cause entire roofs to collapse.

Health and Safely Risks

Food contamination: Grain handling facilities need to be especially careful as pigeons can contaminate grain meant for human consumption.

Disease: Pigeons carry numerous diseases, including encephalitis, cryptococcosis, pigeon ornithosis, Newcastle disease, salmonella, and many others. Their droppings are also carriers of histoplasmosis, a fungal respiratory disease that can cause blindness and even death.

Parasites: Pigeons carry lice, ticks, mites, fleas, and other pests.

Rodents: Debris left by pigeons attracts rodents, creating further pest control and public-health issues.

Airports: Can be pulled into jet engines resulting in damage and injury to humans.

Carbon monoxide asphyxiation: Though rare, nests that block chimneys and ventilation ducts can cause carbon monoxide asphyxiation.