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Pigeons and bugs?

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pigeons

rebugcca

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Posted 4 years ago
Mon Jul 14 2008 13:30:54
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I've always been confused that we have found live bugs (2) only on our bathroom walls and our beds never showed evidence, even before treatment. Pigeons have been roosting near the windows in our apartment, which are either screened and always open or have an A/C in them. Specifically, they seem to like my window and the one in our bathroom best (both have temporary screens). Is it possible these pigeons are our source, and we actually have the closely-related pigeon bug? The bugs I found were both smaller than a lot of pics I've seen, but only slightly. It would also make sense regarding when our problem started--once it got warm and the windows were open again, in the late spring.
Would treatment for a pigeon be the same?
bed-bugscouk

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Posted 4 years ago
Mon Jul 14 2008 13:37:35
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Hi,

It sounds more likely to be bird mites than Bed Bugs. Can you have a look at the following link and let me know if the samples you have found look like that:

http://www.bed-bugs.co.uk/birdmites.html

If it is bird mites and not Bed Bugs then dealing with the birds is part of an effective solution and needs to be looked at.

David
rebugcca

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Posted 4 years ago
Mon Jul 14 2008 13:46:12
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Thanks, David! They don't look like those pics of mites. I always thought the ones we have were bedbugs either unfed or in the earlier stage of development due to their size--they look exactly like bedbugs but aren't super large. I had trapped the two I found with tape and showed them to our PCO, who confirmed they were of the bedbug variety. But the pigeon bugs are really closely related, right?

I guess I'm just wondering what's going on b/c we've been treated 3 times at 2-week intervals, and then a week after the 3rd treatment I found a live one on the bathroom wall. We sure have a pigeon problem, so I guess I'm actually hoping that they are the reason for the continuance of the bugs, not that our diligence and the 3 PCO visits haven't kicked it yet.

The PCO said what he put down should last for 2 months (gentrol plus PI?). So I don't know if we should schedule another visit or try to get ride of birds or what.
bed-bugscouk

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Posted 4 years ago
Mon Jul 14 2008 13:50:47
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Hi,

Collect a sample and have it sent to an entomologist to see if its a Martin bug and not a bed bug. The two look very similar apart from differences you can only detect under a microscope.

If it comes back as a Martin Bug or a Bat Bug then the treatment pattern is different and the pigeons will have to be dealt with as part of the solution.

The good news is that its a simple job to deal with the pigeons if your PCO is experienced in bird control work.

Don't forget there are more species of insects than varieties of people on the face of the planet and in this type of work the subtle differences can radically change the way you treat a property.

David
rebugcca

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Posted 4 years ago
Mon Jul 14 2008 14:02:18
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Thanks--too bad I destroyed the bug I found last week. I'll keep the next one I find. Never thought I'd have a good reason for finding another one!
bedbugvictimperthaustralia

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Posted 4 years ago
Mon Jul 14 2008 18:30:32
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I love pigeons, they're so cute and fluffy.
BBcoukHome

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Posted 4 years ago
Mon Jul 14 2008 19:07:24
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The locals around here call them flying rats and if you have seen many city birds you will know why.

Now don't get me wrong I am not up for a mass cull its just that when the wrong birds end up in the wrong places they can quickly turn from being cute and fluffy to a major pest issue.

It's not the birds but the things they could bring that may be an issue. In the case where the bird mite pictures were taken the source was a nest on a blocked water drain about 4 metres below the roof section. The mites extended out from there along the back wall about 5 metres and into the en suite bathroom window. I would saw the swarm was 300 - 600 insects but the point of infestation was about 15 metres off the ground with no hope of an easy access.

The cute little bird was not so cute anymore having flown the coop and left a significant number of parasitic mites behind. After assesing and working out the need for specialist access tot he infestation site I gave them a few names of bird proofing contractors who may be able to help as access was the key issue and I am not built for absailing.

David
fightorflight

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Posted 4 years ago
Tue Jul 15 2008 4:04:54
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> I love pigeons, they're so cute and fluffy.

Ha-ha. He he.