The Hidden Dangers of Bird Droppings: Why Property Managers Must Prioritize Cleanup

As a property manager, maintaining a clean, safe, and well-kept property is essential to keeping tenants, employees, and customers happy. While you may focus on routine maintenance like landscaping, HVAC upkeep, and pest control, bird droppings are often overlooked—yet they pose serious health, safety, and financial risks.

Bird droppings are more than just an unsightly mess—they are a hazardous contaminant that can lead to slip-and-fall accidents, building damage, and even disease outbreaks. Failing to clean up bird droppings properly can result in costly liabilities, regulatory fines, and tenant complaints.

The Risks of Ignoring Bird Dropping Cleanup

Many property managers underestimate just how damaging bird droppings can be. Here’s what happens when they’re left unchecked:

☣️ Health Risks & Disease Transmission

Bird droppings harbor over 60 different diseases and parasites that can pose serious health risks to tenants, employees, and visitors.

• Histoplasmosis: A fungal infection that affects the lungs, often contracted when dried bird droppings turn into airborne dust.
• Cryptococcus: A respiratory disease caused by inhaling fungal spores from bird droppings, particularly dangerous for immunocompromised individuals.
• Salmonella & E. coli: Bacteria found in bird droppings that can contaminate surfaces, leading to foodborne illnesses.

🚨 Property managers can be held liable for outbreaks of these diseases if proper sanitation measures aren’t in place.

⚠️ Slip-and-Fall Hazards

Accumulated bird droppings on sidewalks, parking garages, stairwells, and entryways create a dangerous slipping hazard.

• Wet bird droppings become extremely slippery, increasing the risk of tenant and visitor injuries.
• If an injury occurs due to unaddressed droppings, property managers can face lawsuits and insurance claims.

💰 Slip-and-fall lawsuits can cost property owners thousands (or even millions) in settlements.

🏚 Building & Property Damage

Bird droppings contain uric acid, which is highly corrosive and can deteriorate building materials over time.

• Roofing: Droppings can eat away at roof coatings and shingles, leading to leaks and costly repairs.
• HVAC Units & Ventilation Systems: Clogged vents can reduce efficiency and circulate contaminated air inside buildings.
• Paint & Metal Structures: Uric acid causes fading, rusting, and structural weakening.

🔎 Long-term exposure to bird droppings can decrease a property’s lifespan, leading to expensive maintenance and devaluation.

How Property Managers Should Handle Bird Dropping Cleanup

Regular bird dropping cleanup is essential for maintaining property value, tenant satisfaction, and compliance with health and safety regulations.

✅ Professional Cleaning & Sanitation

• Bird droppings should never be power-washed without proper containment, as this can spread airborne pathogens.
• Enzymatic cleaners and disinfectants should be used to neutralize bacteria and fungal spores.
• HVAC systems, vents, and rooftop areas should be inspected and cleaned regularly to prevent contamination.

✅ Proactive Bird Control with Avitrol

The best way to reduce cleanup costs and prevent future infestations is to eliminate the source of the problem—pest birds.

Avitrol provides a long-term, cost-effective solution for keeping birds away from your property.

• Prevents future droppings & property damage by modifying bird flock behavior.
• Reduces health risks by keeping pest birds away from ventilation systems and high-traffic areas.
• Lowers cleanup and maintenance costs, ensuring a cleaner, safer environment for tenants and customers.

🚀 Property managers who implement Avitrol treatments experience significant reductions in cleanup costs and tenant complaints.

Take Action: Protect Your Property & Reduce Costs

Bird droppings aren’t just an eyesore—they are a serious liability. As a property manager, it’s your responsibility to ensure a clean, safe, and well-maintained environment.

✔ Schedule routine bird dropping cleanups to prevent health and safety hazards.
✔ Implement Avitrol to keep birds from returning, reducing long-term maintenance costs.
✔ Stay compliant with health & safety regulations to avoid fines and lawsuits.