Pigeon droppings: the health risks, and how to clear them safely
Pigeon fouling under solar panels, on ledges and in gutters looks like a cleaning job. It's also a health risk to whoever clears it, and to people nearby, if it's done the wrong way. Here's what the Health and Safety Executive says, and what that means when you book the work.
The short answer
Breathing in dust or water droplets from contaminated droppings can cause disease. HSE's advice is to keep the work area wet, never to use a high-pressure washer, and to wear protective clothing and the right respiratory protection.
What the risk is
HSE says breathing dust or water droplets containing contaminated bird droppings can lead to several diseases. It names psittacosis, a rare infection caused by the bacterium Chlamydia psittaci, which affects pigeons as well as parrots, and usually shows as a flu-like illness or pneumonia 5 to 19 days after exposure. Salmonella may also be present in some droppings.
The risk is mainly during maintenance, refurbishment and demolition, and it's highest where there's heavy contamination. HSE also says workers with a weakened immune system shouldn't do tasks involving droppings directly.
How HSE says the work should be done
In short:
- Limit contact: avoid or reduce contact with the droppings wherever possible.
- Keep it wet: wet the work area so no dust gets into the air.
- No pressure washers: high-pressure washing creates contaminated airborne droplets.
- Contain it: consider plastic sheeting so contamination doesn't spread.
- Protective clothing: chosen for the work, which may include waterproof footwear and gloves.
- The right mask: respiratory protection with an assigned protection factor of 20, such as an FFP3 mask or a half mask with a P3 filter, face fit tested and worn clean-shaven; powered hoods for longer work.
- Good hygiene: regular hand-washing, and breaks, food and drink away from the work area.
Why clearing it by hand is a bad idea
Scraping dry droppings, sweeping them or blasting them off with a jet washer does exactly what HSE warns against: it puts contaminated dust and droplets into the air, for the person doing it and anyone below or nearby.
If you're commissioning the work, for a building you manage or your own home, ask the contractor how they'll control the dust, what protective equipment their team wears, and how the waste leaves site. A contractor who plans to jet wash it off isn't following HSE's advice.
How we do it
We use an enclosed system that captures the droppings and water as we clean, so they don't become airborne, and our team wears the protective equipment the job needs on top. Once the area is clean, we can fit pigeon guards or solar panel skirts so the birds don't come back.
Questions we're asked
Are pigeon droppings dangerous?
They can be when they're disturbed. HSE says breathing in dust or water droplets from contaminated droppings can cause diseases including psittacosis and salmonella. The risk is to the people clearing them and anyone nearby.
Can I jet wash pigeon mess off my solar panels or patio?
HSE advises against high-pressure washers for this, because they create contaminated airborne droplets. Keep the area wet and use a method that captures the mess rather than spraying it.
Is a dust mask enough?
HSE recommends respiratory protection with an assigned protection factor of 20, such as an FFP3 mask or a half mask with a P3 filter, and tight-fitting masks need face fit testing. A basic dust mask isn't that.
Where we work
Based in Southampton, we cover Hampshire and the South Coast. Not on the list? Ask us: we cover the whole South Coast.
- Aldershot
- Andover
- Basingstoke
- Eastleigh
- Emsworth
- Fareham
- Farnborough
- Fleet
- Gosport
- Havant
- Hedge End
- Horndean
- Hythe
- Locks Heath, Warsash and Whiteley
- New Milton
- Portsmouth
- Southampton
- Stubbington
- Totton
- Winchester
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