Reading the bird control blog post got me thinking… Not wishing to kick the good old Pigeon whilst its down, but other more subtle risks associated with Pigeons and other pest birds, is the fact that they are the major source of most Textile Pests and Stored Product Insects.
Insects in the textile category include, amongst others, can include The Varied Carpet Beetle and The Common Clothes Moth and both can be responsible for the damage to several thousands of pounds worth of carpets and clothes in many of my customers houses. In my working area, of West and North West London, just my call outs alone, show a 300% increase of these pests in peoples homes, since last year!
The textile pests life cycle is egg to larvae to Adult; Moth or Beetle. The adults do not cause the damage, the culprit for that is the larval stage. The Larvae feed off Keratin, a substance found in high volume within all Natural Fabrics such as wools, furs, cashmeres and even animal feathers and hair. Hence the blame aimed at pest birds. The larvae will decimate an area of fabric in a short time. So next time you feed the poor little birds think ahead as you may be much poorer yourself after paying to repair fabrics and then have to book a treatment after damge is done.
Moth Balls and Cedar Woods are fine to an extent. However they have 2 draw backs:
- It deters the insects somewhat but does not erradicate the problem. You may have moth balls in the wardrobe, but you are forcing them out onto your woolen carpets or even your antique tapestries, etc.
- It does not take many moth balls to make you beautiful house smell like a museum. Are you willing to cover every corner of your carpet with them?
Good advice is always available from a professional pest control company and treatments are available both chemical and Non Toxic. The best advice however would be to check your wardrobes regular and inspect all carpet edges.
If you see any of the following evidence, get a professional surveyor in to evaluate the situation imediately. It could save you a lot of money and heartache in the long term.
- Small moths: buff gold in colour
- Larvae: White and thin if Clothes Moth and tiny hairy larvae (Carpet Beetles)
- Bare hessian showing through the carpet pile
- Pin hole type damage in clothing and or a webbing like residue on clothes
Not forgetting the reason for this post, the good old pest birds. Early warning signs are seeing nesting birds or birds roosting on or nearby your house….you are at high risk of textile pests. If it is of assistance to you, the main postcodes with large levels of activity in my area are NW8, W9 and NW1.
Check these links for further guidance or if in doubt call us out (its a free survey).
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4 Comments
I had no idea of this association – very interesting. I completely dislike pigeons – commonly referred to as ‘rats of the sky’ by me! So, another reason to dislike them even more. Just want to be clear though – are you saying the it is the birds’ feathers that attract these textile pests??
Yes @Brig,
Natural fibres of Animal origin, including Feathers contain a protein called Keratin, this is highly attractive to Textile Pests as it is the main food of their larvael stage. So pigeons and other pest birds provide an optimum feeding site within their nests or roosting areas.
The Adult Clothes Moths however do not feed on Keratin and do no damage, their main food source is the pollen of certain plants such as spirea, daisies and asters. So if you do not have a source of birds, then it may be down to the plants in your garden or window box that have been the initial attraction!
Barry,
very interesting post. Maybe you can clear one small doubt of mine. I know about the theory that bedbugs were a parasite of birds, before they discovered us as a food source. Is it true that they still are introducing bedbugs into our homes these days? A friend of mine had bedbugs in his place recently and the only logical source would have been the large number of pigeons that are breeding at his place.
Thanks in advance
It is true that there are bugs and parasite associated with both birds and bats that could, and have on occassion bitten humans. However it is important to get a good identification on the suspect bug in question.
As this will not only allow best treatment but help to locate and tackle infestation at source; however with bats, this would be very difficult due to them being a highly protected species
There are bugs that are similar to a bed bug and especially one that is part of the same family known as Cimex pipistrelli, which as the name suggests is a Bat Bug.
There is also the Martin Bug associated with House Martins and Starlings; which is almost similar visualy to the untrained eye. But is evidently very hairy in comparison.
The common Bed Bug (Cimex lectarius)does not itself originate from birds or bats nests.
So in conclusion if you have ruled out all sources on the following list then you may indeed have a biting insect by another name.
Rule out the following potential sources;-
1. Luggage from holidays taken anytime within the past 18 months.
2. Visitors to property and their luggage
3. Second hand furniture, equipment or fabrics
4. Adjoining properties (especially bedsits or in block of flats)
5. Previous occupiers of the property itself if you have moved in, in the last 18 months.
18 months is stated as this is the maximum time a bedbug may survive without feeding.
I hope this is of assistance to you.