There was a time when kings-maharajas used to send messages using pigeons. This method of sending mail continued for many years. Pigeon was also shown as a postman in Bollywood’s superhit film ‘Maine Pyaar Kiya’. Amrish Puri was seen baiting pigeons in ‘Dil Wale Dulhania’. Today this scene can be seen at almost every intersection and corner of the country. Be it Delhi’s India Gate or Mumbai’s Gateway of India, pigeons will be seen everywhere picking food on the roads. Some people are also fond of keeping pigeons. Pigeon competitions are also conducted in Punjab and Haryana. In fact, people do not know how dangerous this seemingly innocent bird is to health.
Their number is increasing due to feeding
A few months ago, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) considered banning the feeding of pigeons. The reason for this was the increasing number of pigeons and the fear of diseases. People rear pigeons, which has led to a nearly 150% increase in their numbers in India between 2000 and 2023. These figures are from the State of India Birds report. There is a ban on feeding pigeons in some areas of Mumbai.
Lungs may be damaged
Often people living in high-rise societies are bothered by pigeons as they move their litter from place to place and it smells bad. Dr. Sanjay Gupta in the Department of Internal Medicine at Paras Hospital, Gurugram says that pigeon litter damages the lungs. These can cause hypersensitivity pneumonitis. This bird’s droppings contain avian antigens. These are dangerous. When they enter the nose through the air, they reach the lungs through inhalation. Due to this, the lung tissue begins to deteriorate. People who constantly feed on pigeons can quickly damage their lungs. In this disease, the patient’s ability to breathe decreases and there is a lack of oxygen in the body. If the condition is severe then the lungs have to be transplanted.
Pigeons are called Flying RATs I (Image-Canva)People suffering from asthma should stay away from pigeons
People suffering from asthma should neither feed pigeons nor allow them on their balcony. Sometimes pigeons can also cause asthma. People with weak lungs are easy victims of pigeon-borne infections. It can also happen to people who have a weakened immune system. So they need to protect themselves. Children and the elderly should not feed pigeons.
If you have headache, fever then be careful
According to Medical News Today, E-coli can enter the human body from pigeons. In fact, if pigeon droppings fall into water, vegetables, fruits or fields and this water or food is used without cleaning, then E. coli bacteria enter the body, causing fainting, nausea, headache. Pain or fever may occur. Pigeon’s stool can also affect the nervous system. Pigeon droppings can also cause psittacosis. It is also called parrot fever. It is caused by a bacteria called Chlamydia psittaci. It shows flu-like symptoms. Along with the fever, the person feels tired and has muscle aches.
Risk of fungal infection
Pigeon droppings or feathers can also cause candidiasis. It is a fungal infection caused by an overgrowth of Candida yeast. If it is in the mouth, it becomes inflamed and white spots appear. The mouth feels as if it is full of mucus, the taste of food cannot be detected and both corners of the mouth become red. If this fungus affects the skin, the skin becomes red or discolored. There is also pain. This disease can also affect the private parts. Burning, itching in this area and in women can cause profuse discharge or UTI. Candida yeast causes nails to become discolored and rough. Sometimes nails also break.
Do not clean the stool without wearing gloves
Those who feed pigeons should not do so. Sometimes, if you are feeding, wear a mask over your mouth and gloves on your hands. If pigeons are housed feed them in the open air and return immediately. Do not let them eat in the yard or on the roof. If pigeons do poop, clean them up with a disposable cloth, not a household mop. Don’t forget to wear mask and gloves while cleaning.
Get rid of pigeons like this
To get rid of pigeons, cover the balcony of your house. If you can’t cover, set a trap. Nowadays bird spikes are available in the market which are fitted on railings. Bird gel also comes. Electric shock cords may also be installed. This causes the pigeons to get an electric shock and they immediately fly away. In addition, you can install fake snakes, owls or wind chimes on the balcony, this will scare away the pigeons from coming to the balcony.