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Bird Control during the nesting season in The United Kingdom

The bird nesting season

The bird nesting season in the United Kingdom can last from February to August depending on the species, weather and location. Your loft has all sorts of lofty nooks that offer shelter from predators and weather, and with easy access to food and water. The most common places for birds to build their nests in your property are vents, under solar panels, rain gutters and eaves.
If you are fed up with the mess being left behind by birds nesting in your eaves the main question is going to be “ How To Get Rid Of Them?”. The short answer is that you pretty much can't do anything while birds are nesting in your attic. Once a bird has decided to nest you can not touch it.
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Know The Law -The Wildlife & Countryside Act of 1981

Before you attempt to remove a bird's nest by yourself, you have to be aware that all birds, their nests, and eggs are protected by the law: The Wildlife & Countryside Act of 1981. This makes it an offence, keep in mind there are certain exceptions, to deliberately taking, damaging, or destroying the bird's nest while it is in use or being built. It is illegal to take or destroy the egg of any wild bird. So for this reason we recommend using a trusted and professional pest control company like Archers Pest Control to ensure the birds are removed in accordance with the law.

The professional pest controllers from Archers Pest Control recommend any roofing work to be done outside the spring and summertime when birds are likely nesting.
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Feral Pigeons

As we mentioned previously all birds are protected, even the feral pigeon. Although feral pigeons themselves  are harmless, they can cause damage to your property or car and can possibly bring other pests such as mites, fleas and even bed bugs.
Pigeons often left after themselves large amounts of droppings and feathers whenever they are nesting. Blocking the pigeons from your loft is the best way to prevent future pigeon infestation. Keep in mind when blocking the pigeon entry points you must make sure there are no eggs or live squabs and adult pigeons left in the loft as this is against the law.
If the bird nest does need to be removed, a general licence, issued by the government, allows ‘authorised persons’ to kill or take roof-nesting feral pigeons in Britain. This is only if it can prove that the bird nest removal was necessary for the purpose of preserving public health.

The Potential Problems With Bird Nesting In Your Attic Or House

Home Damage
A potential problem you may face if birds enter your loft is actual damage to your home. In fact, birds can damage your home in a few different ways.
Most birds may enter through the roof and into your loft to nest. To build a safe nest, birds will use a variety of materials, such as dirt, pine straw, and leaves, which they will bring into your home. In many cases, these unwelcome guests will also use different bits of your home to build or complete the bird's nest. They may pull out the insulation and even some electrical wiring to complete the nests.
The loss of insulation can affect your home’s energy regulation, reducing your ability to maintain warm temperatures inside your home.  Also If the birds pull on electrical wiring, they could cause a fire. Birds do not produce urine, but they leave behind large amounts of droppings. Bird droppings contain uric acid, which is not harmful in small quantities. However, as the droppings build up and remain in your loft and on your roofline, the uric acid can actually be corrosive and can cause damage to your building.

Health Hazard
Birds and their droppings may carry more than 50 different diseases, so if you have birds in your attic or home, they can be a health hazard to you and your family.
Certain diseases are more common in certain birds. For example, salmonellosis is a common disease that many pigeons, sparrows, and starlings can carry. Salmonellosis can be easily spread through the air or through contact. The most common symptoms of this disease include diarrhoea, fever, and stomach cramps. 
Pigeons are also known to carry cryptococcosis, which is caused by a yeast that is built up in their intestinal tract. This disease can be transmitted by handling and breathing infected yeast in bird faeces.
Histoplasmosis is a disease that you may also develop if you make contact or inhale droppings left behind by an infected bird.

In fact, minor or mild forms of the disease may not show any symptoms. However, severe histoplasmosis can be life-threatening for humans. If you experience a fever, chills, headaches, muscle aches, a dry cough, and chest discomfort,  you should consult your GP immediately.

Efficient & Effective Bird Removal

If you’re experiencing any problems with birds or pigeons in your London property, but don’t know whether they’re officially classed as pest birds, call one of our specialists. We can identify the species for you and advise on the appropriate bird removal methods. Regional Environmental Services operate under a General Licence and carry out all practices of pest bird or feral pigeon removal humanely.
Our team of specialists delivers professional bird control services including Bird Waste & Pigeon Dropping Removal and Bird Netting in London. For more information on our Bird Removal service, please get in touch with a member of our team.