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Pigeon Poop Removal in Toronto
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- Written by Dan Frankian
Aside from the ugly mess pigeon poop makes on balconies, sidewalks, cars, and buildings, the composition of the poop can cause serious health conditions in humans, domesticated animals, and other wildlife. Left on premises, and other objects, pigeon poop can damage and destroy paint, bricks, concrete, and your roof.
If you notice an excess amount of pigeon poop on your property, you may want to invest in a professional company to remove it.
What Are the Diseases Associated with Pigeon Poop?
Pigeon poop is considered one of the more hazardous substances naturally produced. While the bird itself usually does not transfer disease to humans, we are still susceptible to diseases found in pigeon poop.
In areas of the city where pigeons tend to roost, the large number of droppings can produce airborne disease we can easily inhale. Most illnesses associated with pigeon poop require little to no medical intervention, except for those with immunocompromised systems. Pneumonia and meningitis have been connected to pigeon poop exposure.
Direct and indirect exposure to the droppings can also cause several diseases. While it is rare for humans to fall fatally ill from these diseases, they can produce serious health effects.
Below are some common diseases linked to pigeon poop:
- Salmonellosis: Salmonellosis develops from salmonella bacteria, like what is found in food poisoning cases. Symptoms of severe cramping, fever, and diarrhoea usually appear within 24 to 48 hours of inhaling pigeon poop and can last up to seven days for mild cases.
- Psittacosis: Psittacosis is sometimes referred to as parrot fever. The bacteria responsible causes flu-like symptoms over a two-week period of development.
- Histoplasmosis: Histoplasmosis is linked to a fungus found in pigeon droppings. Inhalation can trigger symptoms of fever, coughing, chest pain, sweats, nausea, and weakness in those diagnosed with respiratory conditions.
- Cryptococcosis: Cryptococcosis is another fungus related disease seen with inhalation exposure to pigeon poop. This disease can travel from the lungs to the brain, leading to meningitis.
Can Pigeon Poop Cause Structural & Aesthetic Damage to Property?
Pigeon droppings can also have serious repercussions on buildings, vehicles, and any other outdoor objects. The corrosive uric acid within the poop can damage and weaken materials, including concrete and brick, and ruin the paint on your vehicle. The damage can be seen especially in areas where pigeons roost such as on roofs, ventilation and air conditioning units, and the eaves under bridges.
You may notice structure damage in the form of water leaks as the pigeon droppings on a roof can basically “eat through” the roofing material. Many warehouse owners take precautions to deter pigeons and other birds from roosting to increase the lifespan of their buildings.
What Precautions Should I Take While Cleaning Up Pigeon Droppings?
When it comes to cleaning up pigeon droppings, it is crucial to use the utmost protection to prevent touching and inhaling the airborne particles of the poop. The area should be restricted for use as removal can produce more airborne particles from the droppings.
Personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gloves, a mask (a charcoal filter mask that fits closely to the face), and goggles should be worn when handling the droppings. To prevent spreading the droppings, a shovel can be used to scoop the poop into large disposable bags. Ensure the area is soaked with water during cleaning to prevent the droppings from drying and becoming airborne.
Thoroughly clean the area before using a disinfectant product. The bags of droppings should be securely sealed and properly disposed of. Any equipment or tools used should also be immediately cleaned and disinfected.
How Much Does It Cost to Remove Pigeon Poop?
Depending on the location and the number of droppings to be removed, costs can range from $350 to several hundred dollars or more. For areas that have a larger area to cover such as warehouse or multiple residential properties, proper removal of pigeon poop may take more than one day.
Contact Hawkeye for Pigeon Poop Removal in Toronto
If your property requires pigeon poop removal services, contact Hawkeye Bird and Animal Control. We specialize in the humane removal of pest birds from commercial properties. All of our pigeon control and removal experts are thoroughly trained and have a great deal of experience in handling pest birds professionally to prevent the return of roosting pigeons.
Email us at [email protected] or call us at (416) 429-5393 or toll-free at 1-(855) 393-4295 to learn more about our services.
What Attracts Raccoons to My Property?
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- Written by Dan Frankian
Raccoon removal in Toronto is becoming one of the most common online searches. Raccoons are nocturnal creatures that like to make their homes in dark, warm, and cozy spaces, which often means they are attracted to sheds, garages, and attics.
Sure, these masked bandits may be cute, but they can be destructive and dangerous to household pets and children.
What Attracts Raccoons to My House?
As the urban population grows and developments push into their natural habitat, these four-legged creatures move closer to food sources, mainly your trash bin. Below are a few factors that might be attracting raccoons to your property.
Pet Food
Raccoons seek two things: shelter and food. Many homeowners have pet food such as bird seed or cat and dog food on their porches and decks. If you regularly leave food out for your pets, the smell might be luring the raccoons to your yard and providing a year-round source of nourishment.
Loose Food
Properties with fruit and nut trees become a haven for raccoons as the loose fruit falls to the ground. In addition, during the summer, you may leave scraps of food in the grass and bushes after a barbeques or backyard parties. If food is there, raccoons will find it.
Water Sources
Having water bowls outside on the deck or in the yard for birds, cats, and dogs is a magnet for raccoons. Raccoons need water to survive and they have a habitual need to wash their food. This can cause confrontations with pets and humans on your property.
Unsealed or Open Trash Bins
Raccoons are notorious for knocking over garbage bins and making a mess. Unsealed bags provide an easy score for the “trash pandas”. With their dexterity, raccoons can even open tightly closed bins and containers.
Darkness
Unlit pathways and yards appeal to these nocturnal creatures. Darkness allows raccoons to roam freely without being detected. That being said, raccoons can often be seen during daylight hours as they forage for food or move to a new location.
Unsecured Compost Piles
A compost pile on your property is an invitation for raccoons to forage your yard. It may be beneficial to the environment but to a raccoon, it’s Christmas morning. The best way to keep raccoons out of your green bin and compost is to store it inside as much as possible.
Unsecured Chicken Coops
With food prices on the rise, many homeowners have erected chicken coops where permitted. The danger in this scenario is the draw of eggs and feed to raccoons. Using their rugged nails and teeth, raccoons can easily break into chicken wire.
Vegetable Gardens
Vegetable gardens and potted veggies are constantly under attack by wildlife, mainly raccoons. Raw vegetables can be a regular source of food that will feed a family of raccoons all season. Gardens are a labour of love and hard work, but it only takes minutes for one raccoon to destroy it.
Opened Stacks of Wood
If you have a fireplace or wood-burning stove, you need to monitor your outdoor wood piles for raccoon dens. Seasoned wood requires sunlight which creates a warm dark place for creatures to hide and nest.
Falconry FAQs
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- Written by Dan Frankian
5 Most Commonly Asked Questions About Falconry
Have you ever considered falconry as an environmentally friendly way of controlling pest birds? Once known as the “Sport of Kings”, falconry involves capturing, breeding, training, and keeping birds of prey for use in hunting.
What Is Falconry?
Dating back several thousand years, Falconry is the taking of wild quarry with trained birds of prey. Birds of prey - also called raptors, are all very skilled hunters in their natural state. A falconer harnesses this natural hunting ability by training the raptor to hunt in partnership with the falconer. The raptor and the falconer develop a bond and the raptor comes to trust the falconer to be fed and cared for.
The type of raptor used for hunting is going to depend on the type of game being hunted. Falcons, such as peregrine and saker, are longwings and will hunt mainly birds that are in flight. Shortwings, such as red-tailed hawk, harris hawk, goshawk, sparrow hawk, typically take ground game such as rabbit, squirrel, or chipmunk. Eagles are in a group of their own. There are several types of eagles - such as bald, golden, harpy, hawk-eagle, snake-eagle, crested eagle, grey headed fish eagle. Only the bald and golden Eagle are native to North America. Eagles tend to hunt larger prey. They are capable of taking down geese, ducks, rabbits, hare, pheasant, ptarmigan, and they can fish as well. Owls can also be used in falconry for hunting mice, rats, rabbit, and birds.
Falconry requires a real time commitment as the raptors need care and feeding every day. It can be considered a lifestyle, as the birds need to be flown often. Depending on what the laws are in your area only certain raptors can be taken from the wild, but there are a number of raptors that are captive bred and can be purchased. To become a falconer you must apprentice with a licensed falconer - usually for over a year. In Ontario the law is from the beginning of hunting season in one year to the end of hunting season the next year. Each province in Canada has its own rules and regulations to do with falconry.
Can I Do Falconry in Canada?
Yes, falconry is possible in Canada. You can become a falconer in the provinces of Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Quebec, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Prince Edward Island. Each province has its own regulations and permits for falconry. To become a falconer in Ontario you must find a falconer willing to mentor you as an apprentice for approximately 14 months and 30 hours of learning with the falconer. To become proficient requires many more hours of practice. You must also purchase a small game license from the province to be able to hunt with your bird of prey. The Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry has the final say in giving certificates once your training is completed.
What Does a Falconer Do?
A falconer handles and often trains his/her birds of prey. Bird and falconer develop a working relationship and a certain level of trust. The bird needs to learn to obey commands to fly up and then return to the falconer’s glove and be rewarded with food. The bird becomes a tool for the falconer to use in hunting small game. Captive bred raptors that are purchased may already be trained.
What Is the Best Bird to Start Falconry?
As each Canadian province has its own set of regulations, only certain species of birds can be used for falconry. In Ontario, the Cooper’s Hawk, Red-Tailed Hawk, Sharp-Shinned Hawk, and Merlin are the birds approved to use for capture. Hawkeye’s birds are bred in captivity; they are not captured. Our Harris Hawks are indigenous to the southern United States desert regions in Arizona and New Mexico. As such, they are not suited to cold weather flying and must be kept in heated quarters in the winter. At Hawkeye, we find the Harris Hawk to be the most versatile and gentle, easy to train raptor.
Many falconers recommend the Red-Tailed Hawk as a beginner bird once a person is approved and trained as a falconer. This species is native to Ontario and is therefore accustomed to the various weather and temperature fluctuations in our province.
Where Can I Take Falconry Lessons?
Hawkeye offers apprenticeship programs if you’d like to become a falconer yourself. In Ontario, an apprenticeship program lasts from the beginning of hunting season in the fall to the end of the next hunting season the following year.
You can glean a glimpse into the world of Falconry at our falconry workshops and experiences of one, two, and three hours at our facility just outside of Toronto. We can also do special experiences for groups tailored to suit your needs. Our certified and experienced falconers will teach you about training and working with birds of prey. In addition to having many years of experience in this industry, our falconers have a deep respect for nature, particularly the instincts that are exhibited by birds of prey. Email us at [email protected] or call us at (416) 429-5393 or toll-free at 1-(855) 393-4295 to learn more.
Why Should I Hire Wildlife Removal Services?
- Details
- Written by Dan Frankian
When is it time to call in a Wildlife Removal Specialist?
If you’ve noticed raccoons and other wildlife frequenting your property, they may have made a den in your shed or near your garden or even in your house. This is bad news for you and your family. Not just because these animals can be a nuisance, but also because they can pose a health and safety hazard.
Before the winter weather hits and they make their way into your home for warmth and shelter, it’s important to remove any invitations to unwanted wildlife from your property. Your best option is to call a wildlife control company professional. Only a designated professional has the knowledge, training, expertise, and tools to handle unpredictable wildlife.
Why Call Hawkeye for Wildlife Removal?
Hawkeye Bird and Animal Control uses a number of effective passive and active removal methods to get rid of wildlife and keep them off of your property for good.
We are the only pest bird and animal/wildlife control company in the country designated "Certified Wildlife Control Professional" and in possession of licences and permits that enable us to euthanize pest animals in accordance with the Canadian Veterinary Association’s standards, if the client so desires.
We can also set up a one-way exit device to allow wildlife to exit your property carefully and safely without causing any harm to you, the animals, or your structure. Our expert, licensed technicians can employ a number of safe, humane, and effective live trapping methods.
