Ponding Water, Mosquitoes, and the West Nile Virus.
Standing water on flat roofs can become a health issue. Mosquitoes breed and reproduce in standing water, bird feces can accumulate in ponding water on roofs and create bacteria growth! Not to mention that pigeon droppings are naturally acidic and will actually eat away at your roof! Mix that with the damaging effects of ponding water on your flat roof this can cause serious issues!
“Eliminate standing water, mosquitoes breed in pools of standing water”
- Mayo Clinic Staff
West Nile Virus is a disease that spreads from birds to humans through infected mosquitoes. Ponding or standing water is a breeding ground for mosquitoes! To avoid West Nile virus and other mosquito-borne illnesses eliminate mosquito-breeding sites. Most city officials across the country recommend removing standing water from your property. Standing water can give mosquitoes a place to lay their eggs. Many property owners as well as city officials are unaware of standing or ponding water on flat roofs. Make sure you have your roof inspected on an annual basis. If you have standing water on your flat roof and you see dead birds, this can be a sign that West Nile virus is circulating between birds and the mosquitoes.
Pigeon Feces left sitting in ponding water is dangerous!
Remember! Pigeons carry mycotic, (airborne) diseases. They carry bacterial and protozoan diseases, and various worms which live in their feces. Pigeons also walk in their own feces and can spread bacteria to other sites they land on. Here are some of the mycotic diseases that they carry, Aspergillosis, Cryptococcosis, and Histoplasmosis.
Let’s no forget that pigeons carry Bascertial diseases like: Pasteurella multicida, Salmonellosis, Listeriosis, Yersiniosis and Gastoenteritis. These little guys also carry parasitic diseases such as: Parasitic worms and Schistosomiasis! Match all that with standing water on your flat roof, next to your HVAC system and you have created a very unhealthy environment for the building occupants.
You need to eliminate ponding water on your flat roof and contact your local licensed pest control professional and get rid of those birds!