Where droppings pile up
Pigeons and other birds return to the same perches and nesting spots, so droppings accumulate in layers. Rooftop equipment, ledges, signs, beams in parking garages, loading dock canopies, steeples, barns and attics with an open vent are all common locations.
Over time, droppings can stain and degrade finishes, clog gutters and drains, create slip hazards on walkways and attract insects.
Property managers usually call when tenants complain about entrances or when maintenance staff are asked to work around rooftop equipment covered in droppings. Homeowners and landlords call when birds have found a way into an attic or garage. Hotels and downtown building owners call about entrances and facades, public agencies about bridges and overpasses, and fleet operators about vehicles parked beneath a roost.
Why dust control matters
NIOSH explains that the fungus that causes histoplasmosis lives in soil, particularly soil enriched with large amounts of bird or bat droppings, and that people are infected by breathing in spores. Dry scraping and sweeping can put that dust into the air.
NIOSH recommends reducing dust, for example by misting with water, and wearing a NIOSH-approved respirator, hooded coveralls, eye protection, gloves and disposable shoe covers. Our crew follows that approach on every bird droppings job.
Our bird droppings process
- Access planning We look at height, roof conditions and the equipment needed, such as ladders or lifts, and plan for fall protection.
- Set up protection The crew puts on respirators and protective clothing, and we isolate the work area from pedestrians and building air intakes.
- Mist and remove Droppings are dampened to keep dust down, then scraped and bagged.
- Nests and feathers Nests are removed only where removal is permitted and no active nest of a protected species is involved.
- Clean and disinfect Surfaces are washed and then disinfected according to product labels.
- Recommend prevention We note where netting, spikes or exclusion would help so a bird control company can address it.
Surfaces we deal with
- Rooftop HVAC units and mechanical equipment
- Window ledges, signs, awnings and overhangs
- Parking garage beams and loading dock canopies
- Attic insulation beneath open vents
- Barn lofts, steeples and bell towers
- Sidewalks and entryways below roosts
Protected birds and nest timing
Many native birds are protected, and active nests may need to be left alone until the young have left. Pigeons and some other species are treated differently. A wildlife or bird control professional can tell you which rules apply before nests are disturbed. We plan our timing around that advice.
If removal has to wait, we can still clean areas away from active nests and come back for the rest. That keeps entrances and walkways usable in the meantime.
For recurring problems at commercial buildings, a periodic cleaning schedule paired with deterrents installed by a bird control company is usually more effective than a single heavy cleanup every few years.
Keeping people clear of roosts
- Do not dry-sweep, power-blow or pressure wash heavy droppings.
- Keep staff and customers away from areas directly under roosts.
- If droppings are near a rooftop air intake, tell your HVAC provider.
- Note where birds are getting in, especially for attics and warehouses.
Prevention and other trades
Netting, spikes, wires and other bird deterrents are installed by bird control companies; any pesticide-based control requires a Tennessee pest control charter. Damaged roofing, gutters or vents go to contractors. Bats are a separate situation with their own considerations, covered on our bat guano cleanup page. For commercial properties, our commercial biohazard cleanup page describes how we schedule around business hours.