While many people notice birds, most often don’t really stop to think about them at all. Common area birds can easily blend into the background, and you might not think about them much at all. However, there are certain birds in the area that are pests, and they can cause more problems than you may think.

In Streator and the surrounding areas, especially in urban settings, many people enjoy watching birds or feeding them. However, doing so can create some pretty major problems especially if the birds happen to be pigeons.

There are three main birds in the area that are pest birds: pigeons, sparrows, and starlings. While you might know what some of these birds look like, a brief refresher on how to tell them apart is helpful.

Pigeons

Most pigeons are a blue-grey color with two dark-colored bands on their wings. They are usually between 11 and 15 inches in height.

Starlings

This species of bird is stocky with a short tail. They have dark green feathers with white speckles, and they are usually about 7 to 8 inches tall.

Sparrows

Sparrows are a smaller bird species that only reaches about 6 inches in length. The males have grey heads and chestnut-colored bodies with tan underbellies. Their throats are black. The females of the species are tan with reddish-brown wings.

The Risks Of Pest Birds

Birds can be annoying, especially if they congregate in large numbers, but they are more than just a mere nuisance. There are many dangers associated with the three common pest birds in the area including property damage and health risks. These risks can especially be a problem for business owners as they can put the safety of your customers at risk.

Here are the main dangers that pest birds pose:

They can spread diseases, including some that can harm humans, such as E. coli and histoplasmosis.
Their droppings are slippery and can cause a slip and fall risk.
Their droppings can also cause property damage by ruining paint and wooden structures.
Their feces can spread disease through spores.
Their presence and nests can also ruin machinery and equipment.

Tips For Preventing Pest Birds

Since there are both property damage and health concerns associated with pest birds in Streator, taking steps to prevent them is essential. Whether you’re a business owner or a homeowner, the following steps can make your property less attractive to these birds:

Don’t feed any of these birds. They often remember where they’ve been fed and will keep coming back to previous food sources.
Remove any nests as soon as you see them.
Trim any plants like trees and shrubs regularly.
Look into installing items like spikes or other methods to keep birds from nesting.For pigeons, try to block off areas surrounded by walls and a roof so they can’t nest there.

How To Protect Your Home From Pest Birds

After you’ve taken steps on your own to keep pest birds away from your Streator property, the final and most effective step to prevention is with help from the experts at Quik-Kill Pest Eliminators. We offer a pest bird control program for residential or commercial properties. With over 100 years of experience, you can trust our experts. Contact us today to learn more and to schedule a free inspection. Learn more about our home pest control and commercial pest control solutions.