Note: The following is an unfounded, politically motivated notice. 
Click one one of the following to see:
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"Urban Wildlife Society Challenges Mohave County"
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"Mohave County Reports Zero Cases of 
Pigeon Caused Human Disease"
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     The Mohave County Environmental Health Department has received numerous telephone calls over the past year regarding the pigeon problem in Lake Havasu City. Wild pigeons should not be regarded as harmless. In fact, they have been described as "rats with feathers." The description is appropriate because wild pigeons eating and roosting habits can cause the transmission of more than 40 diseases to humans and domestic animals.

     Some of the diseases known to be transmitted by pigeons are: chlamydiosis, crytococcosis [sic], Histoplasmosis, Newcastle, Paratyphoid, Salmonellosis, Toxoplasmosis, transmissible gastroenterisits [sic], tuberculosis and Western Equine encephalitis.

     Wild pigeons are not always selective in their choice of foods. They will eat decomposing garbage and then move on to feeding stations set out for other wild birds. Pigeons regurgitate while drinking water, which then contaminates drinking water set out for other birds and pet animals. Infected pigeons also spread diseases through fecal droppings, respiratory droplets eye secretions and ectoparasites.

     The roosting and nesting sites are not only aesthetically annoying, but are also sites for disease transmission in an enclosed area. The accumulated fecal droppings can provide a medium for the growth of bacteria and fungi spores. An active busy roost posses health hazards and once the roost is abandoned an even greater health hazards exist. Soils around a once active roost can harbor spores and can cause immediate health risks when the soils are disturbed, such as by digging or bulldozing. The cleaning of roofs, ventilation systems and other roosting sites also pose risks of exposure to disease, through release of spores.

     There are documented cases of workers being infected by digging in, and cleaning old roost sites. Therefore, workers must be sure to wear respirators or face masks and to use disinfectant wetting agents before cleaning a roost area. This includes the cleaning of air conditioning vents, etc.

     The abatement of pigeons is not an easy process. The first step in abatement is an understanding of pigeon habits. They like to roost and feed near human populations. The exterior of human housing provides comfortable roosting sites and well-intentioned humans tend to provide easily accessible food supplies. Pigeons have good memories, they return to where they were hatched and where food is readily available. Their good memories also will prevent them from returning to where they constantly meet adverse conditions, such as frightening noise, anti-roosting devices or lack of food and water.

     The health risk now facing our community by the pigeon population must be addressed immediately, therefore Mohave County Environmental Health recommends that Lake Havasu City Officials organize a Citizens Committee to activate an abatement policy for the pigeon problem in Lake Havasu City.