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Bird Control Edinburgh

Feral Pigeons, Proofing and Cleanup

Why Bird Control is Important for Your Edinburgh Property

Edinburgh faces considerable bird control challenges, particularly with feral pigeons. These birds are well-known for nesting on buildings, causing property damage and creating unsightly mess through their droppings. Feral pigeons can block gutters, damage roofs, and pose health risks by spreading diseases and parasites. In urban areas, their persistent presence around residential and commercial properties also leads to safety hazards, making it essential to use specialised bird-proofing solutions to prevent infestations and maintain a clean, safe environment:

1. Feral Pigeon Control

Feral pigeons are a common problem in Edinburgh, particularly in urban areas where they thrive due to easy access to food and nesting sites. These birds often congregate on buildings, leading to significant damage over time. Pigeons can block gutters and downpipes with their nesting materials, causing water damage and contributing to structural issues such as dampness and leaks. Their droppings are not only unsightly but highly corrosive, eating away at stonework, metal, and roofing materials, accelerating the deterioration of Edinburgh’s historic and modern buildings alike.

Beyond physical damage, feral pigeons pose a health risk. Their droppings carry bacteria, parasites, and fungi that can cause diseases like histoplasmosis, salmonellosis, and psittacosis, endangering the health of residents, employees, and customers in commercial spaces. In densely populated areas, pigeon infestations can also result in increased maintenance costs and damage to the reputation of businesses.

Saltire Pest Control offers professional and humane solutions to tackle feral pigeon problems. Our team uses effective bird-proofing techniques, including bird spikes, netting, and wire systems to prevent pigeons from landing and nesting on your property. We focus on humane removal methods, ensuring the safety of the birds while protecting your building from further damage. In cases of severe infestation, we provide thorough clean-up services, including the safe removal of guano and nesting materials, restoring your property to a clean, safe state. With tailored bird control solutions, Saltire Pest Control helps Edinburgh residents and businesses protect their properties from the damaging effects of feral pigeons.

Pigeons in Edinburgh

If you any problems with feral pigeons around your property – Contact us

2. Bird Proofing & Bird Deterrent Solutions

Bird proofing is essential for preventing damage caused by pest birds, particularly in areas like Edinburgh where feral pigeons and gulls are prevalent. There are several effective bird deterrent methods available, each designed to suit different environments and levels of infestation.

Bird spikes are one of the most common and effective solutions. Made from metal or plastic, these spikes are installed on ledges, roofs, and other surfaces to prevent birds from landing and roosting. While the spikes deter birds from perching, they do not harm them, making this a humane solution. Bird spikes are ideal for both residential properties and commercial buildings, particularly in areas where birds frequently rest, such as window ledges, gutters, and signage.

Bird netting provides a physical barrier that prevents birds from accessing specific areas. It is particularly useful for large spaces like rooftops, courtyards, or warehouse entrances. Made from durable materials, the netting creates an impenetrable surface while remaining discreet, making it suitable for protecting both modern commercial structures and historic buildings in Edinburgh. Bird netting is highly effective for areas with persistent bird problems, as it offers long-term protection.

Bird scarers are designed to create visual or auditory disturbances that scare birds away from an area. These deterrents can include reflective materials, sound-emitting devices, or even predator decoys. Bird scarers are particularly useful for large open spaces, such as gardens, car parks, or commercial complexes. While not as permanent as spikes or netting, they offer a cost-effective solution for areas needing short-term protection.

Each of these bird deterrent methods can be tailored to suit the specific needs of residential and commercial properties, ensuring effective and humane bird control.

Bird Proofing Edinburgh - Before and After
Bird Proofing Edinburgh

Arrange your free professional assessment visit now – Contact us

3. Guano Cleanup

Guano, or bird droppings, pose significant health and safety risks, especially in domestic properties, businesses, and public areas across Edinburgh. Accumulated guano not only creates an unsightly mess but is also a major health hazard. Bird droppings carry harmful pathogens, including bacteria, fungi, and parasites, which can lead to diseases such as histoplasmosis, psittacosis, and salmonellosis. When guano dries, it turns to dust, which can become airborne and spread these diseases through inhalation, posing serious risks to anyone nearby.

In addition to health concerns, guano is highly corrosive, and its acidic properties can damage building surfaces, including stonework, metal, and paint. Left untreated, bird droppings can weaken structural integrity, block gutters and drainage systems, and lead to long-term repair costs. This is particularly concerning for businesses and public areas, where the presence of bird droppings can harm the reputation of establishments and create an unwelcoming environment for customers and visitors.

Saltire Pest Control specialises in professional guano cleanup services for Edinburgh’s homes, businesses, and public spaces. Our trained technicians are experts in safely handling and removing hazardous bird waste using the latest protective equipment and techniques. We follow strict health and safety guidelines to ensure the thorough decontamination of affected areas, preventing the spread of disease and restoring surfaces to a clean, safe state.

By choosing Saltire Pest Control, you ensure that the risks associated with guano are effectively mitigated. We not only clean and sanitise the area but also offer bird-proofing solutions to prevent future infestations, providing long-term protection for your property and peace of mind.

Fully licensed pest control professionals Edinburgh
Fully licensed pest control professionals Edinburgh

If you have any concerns about guano / bird droppings, call Saltire Pest Control

If you are affected by guano and concerned – Contact us

4. Licenses for Protected Birds

Certain bird species, including some types of pigeons, are protected under UK law through the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. This legislation makes it illegal to harm or remove these birds without the appropriate licenses, which are required for situations where birds pose a significant health and safety risk or cause serious damage to property. At Saltire Pest Control, we have extensive knowledge of these regulations and the necessary licensing requirements for the lawful removal and control of protected birds.

When dealing with protected species, such as feral pigeons, it is crucial to follow strict guidelines to ensure compliance with the law. Saltire Pest Control is fully equipped to handle these situations, offering expert advice and obtaining the necessary licenses from regulatory bodies, such as NatureScot. These licenses allow us to carry out bird control measures in a safe, humane, and legally compliant manner, ensuring that both the birds and the public are protected.

Our team conducts thorough assessments of the site to determine the severity of the issue and whether licensing is required. In cases where licenses are necessary, we apply for and manage the entire process, ensuring that any actions taken—whether bird-proofing, humane removal, or habitat modification—are in line with UK legal requirements.

By choosing Saltire Pest Control, you can trust that our bird control solutions are both effective and fully compliant with the law, offering peace of mind for Edinburgh residents and businesses while safeguarding protected bird species.

Licenses for Protected Birds

If you have any questions about the legal removal of birds, call us now!  07763 63 63 90

Conclusion

Saltire Pest Control offers comprehensive bird control solutions across Edinburgh, addressing the challenges posed by feral pigeons through humane removal and expert bird-proofing techniques like spikes and netting. We provide professional guano cleanup services to ensure health and safety, particularly in homes, businesses, and public areas. For protected species, we ensure full compliance with UK law, managing the necessary licensing requirements for safe and legal bird removal. With tailored solutions and expert knowledge, we help protect your property while safeguarding bird welfare.

Areas Covered

Saltire Pest Control offers professional bird control services for both domestic and commercial properties in Edinburgh and the surrounding areas. Our services cover the city and extend to towns in the surrounding area including  Musselburgh, Prestonpans, Dalkeith, Loanhead, Bonnyrigg, Queensferry, Tranent, Penicuik, Currie, Balerno, Newbridge and Ratho.