Removing food sources is the single most important factor in reducing the number of feral pigeons and in the town.

If you must feed then it should only ADVICE TO HOUSEHOLDERS be within the curtilage of your own yard or garden, and no food should be left lying around for long periods of time as this can also attract rodents into the area.

To scatter food on roads and pavements FERAL is an offence under the Environmental Protec tion Act 1990. PIGEONS Proofing of empty buildings is particularly important as any access points into such buildings allows the pigeons time to establish a large colony as they are left Where to Get Further Advice? undisturbed for long periods of time and hence have nesting places as well as roosting sites.

PUBLIC PROTECTION SERVICES TOWN HALL DUKE STREET BARROW-IN-FURNESS CUMBRIA LA14 2LD

Email: [email protected] Web: www.barrowbc.gov.uk

Tel: 01229 876543 Fax: 01229 876411

Barrow Borough Council Public Protection Services  Common mite, ADVICE TO HOUSEHOLDERS SIGNIFICANCE  Pigeon tick etc.  Cheese mite; BEHAVIOUR  Flour mite; The fouling of buildings and monuments  Lesser house fly; frequently occurs at places where they Feral pigeons have developed from the roost and nest. The acidic droppings , dovecote and domestic react with chemicals in the stonework Other problems include blocked gutters pigeons. They are in increasing numbers causing erosion of the surfaces. and downspouts which can cause water in town centres and where they have Accumulations of droppings can become damage by seepage coming into the adapted well to the artificial cliffs of infested with mites and which are property, chimneys being blocked causing buildings. They depend largely on the pests of stored products and houses. smoke problems or gasses such as public for food and due to this carbon monoxide being forced back into dependence, they have become a They carry many diseases and can give the house all leading to increased costs fouling buildings, pavements, parklands, rise to the following: - of maintenance and risk of nuisance to gardens, contaminating food stores and  Chlamydosis; neighbouring properties. Large numbers transmitting diseases. They rely mainly  Crytococcosis; of roosting pigeons also give rise to odour and noise complaints, not to mention the on scraps, bread, cakes and bird  Campylobacter; risk to health and safety in terms of given to them by the public.  Salmonellosis; slipping hazards on pavements and fire  Erysipelas; The birds normally feed in flocks and are escapes, from accumulations of  Extrinsic Allergic Alveolitis highly efficient at finding roosting places droppings. (Pigeon Fancier's Lung); near to a food source where they will wait  Histoplasmosis. until they can feed undisturbed unless LIFE CYCLE they know the person who feeds them at a The following organisms and insects cans regular time of day. be associated with birds their nests and Each Female pigeon generally produces droppings:- two eggs per lay. The feral pigeon IDENTIFICATION  Varied carpet beetle; however has become so well adapted to  Fur beetle; its environment that they can lay upto six  Case bearing clothes moth; clutches per year.  Brown house moth,  White shouldered house moth; CONTROL  Larder beetle;  Yellow mealworm beetle; The only effective way to control pigeons  Biscuit Beetle; and other pest species of birds is to  beetles; remove food sources, remove roosting  Blowflies; sites and breeding sites.