Why Shouldn't You Feed Pigeons?

There are countless reasons why you shouldn't feed pigeons. In fact, while we're on the subject of feeding wild animals, it's probably advisable that you don't feed any of them. The moment you do, you're opening an invitation to them, right into your home, and they'll jump on it without a moment's hesitation.

Pigeons have become the pest they are because people feed them. A lot. London's pigeons have been fed for many years, and despite signs everywhere suggesting that people shouldn't feed them (because of the many health risks associated with above anything else), people still do it. It's not just in London, either; this kind of thing is happening all over the world. Actual, deliberate feeding is what has caused them to be as tame as they are, without any fear of humans. And when it comes to getting rid of them from your property, no fear of you is going to be bad ... for you.

You shouldn't feed wild animals because they'll keep coming back. That really is the long and short of it. They'll come back whether you want them to or not, and what works out to be a cute novelty at first will soon turn into a problem that could bring along other pest animals, insects, and even serious threats to the health of humans and other animals.

Feces — this is one of the biggest problems when pigeons are around, and when the birds are around, their feces will be too. It'll be everywhere. On the car. Windows. Roof. Windowsills. On your laundry drying outside. You name it, you'll find pigeon poop there. Aiming from above gives you a bit of advantage, although we are sure they aren't aiming at your laundry deliberately ...

Feces is not only pretty disgusting and terribly unsightly, but it also comes with a number of health risks, including histoplasmosis, a disease commonly associated with bats. It has been suggested that there are over sixty different diseases that humans can contract from birds, although not all of them will apply to the pesky pigeon. Candidiasis does apply to the pigeon, though, commonly known as a yeast infection or thrush.

Cryptococcosis is another that you can add to the list, another yeast infection that is spread not just by pigeons, but also by other birds, including starlings. Add St. Louis encephalitis to the list of pigeon-borne diseases, too, and while you're there, you can add E.coli and salmonella to it.

Things get even worse when you look at the bugs that these pigeons can bring with them, and not just the bacteria and viruses found in their fecal matter and contaminated material. Chicken mites, for example, are found on many birds, including the humble house sparrow, starlings, and also pesky pigeons. Chicken mites come with their own disease risks, too, including another strain of encephalitis. Bed bugs can also travel on pigeons and other birds, as well as mosquitos carrying West Nile Virus, and even worms, called yellow mealworms, found in nests.

This is not the entirety of health risks that pigeons come hand-in-hand with, but does give you a good idea of how dangerous the bird CAN be. Feeding these animals is a massive no-no, and we would recommend that you take the same no-tolerance approach with other pest critters, too.



Also read our other bird tip: Will homeowners insurance pay for pigeon damage?