How to Remove a Dead Bird

Birds die for several reasons, including old age, illnesses, and predator attacks. While it’s more common to find dead birds in your yard, you may also discover them indoors. Birds like pigeons get into the house through ventilation and heating shafts, or chimneys, or missing tiles on the ceiling. Thereafter, they sometimes get stuck or they succumb to illness/injury and eventually die in your house. Homeowners are only made aware of their presence after the carcass starts emitting a gruesome smell as a result of the decomposition process.

Safety Concerns

The body of a dead bird should be removed as soon as possible for a variety of reasons. First, the decomposing carcass attracts blowflies, cockroaches, and even other predators. You do not want these nuisance pests coming around because of the diseases they carry. 

Dead Birds Removal

Furthermore, a bird carcass with a bacterial infection or virus has the potential to transmit harmful illnesses to humans and pets. Examples of such illnesses include the West Nile virus and Salmonellosis. Finally, as the body breaks down, it emits a putrid smell and bodily fluids that stain ceilings and walls.

Steps for Bird Removal

To help you get rid of that carcass, here are some key steps to keep in mind.

Find the Carcass

If the carcass is in your yard, it will be quite easy to spot. However, dead birds in the attic or wall may be challenging. A good strategy for finding a carcass is to follow the smell. It’ll eventually lead you to where it is.

Wear Protective Clothing and Hand Gloves

Never have direct contact with a dead bird! Wear disposable gloves to prevent the transfer of bacteria. You might also wear a long-sleeved shirt and trousers to reduce the chances of coming in contact with their bodily fluid.

Dispose of the Carcass Properly

Pick up the carcass and wrap it in a plastic bag. Also, pick up all the waste, feathers, and nesting materials and seal them in the plastic bag. If you don’t want to use your hands to pick up the carcass and waste materials, you can make use of a shovel and other tools.

When disposing of the carcass, you should put it in a well-shut trash container to prevent other predators, pets, or even curious kids from gaining access to it.

Better still, you may contact your local wildlife authority to ask about the approved bird disposal methods in your district. Avoid leaving the carcass on a compost heap or brush pile as it would attract other animals.

Dead Birds Removal

Decontaminate the Infected Space

As a bird carcass decomposes, it releases bodily fluids that contaminate the vicinity around it. Therefore, you have to do a thorough cleanup by applying disinfectants to kill all bacteria.

Clean Up

If you made use of a shovel or other tools, make sure you sterilize them. Thereafter, thoroughly wash your hands with soap and warm water or you can make use of a hand sanitizer. Also, wash your clothes to get rid of germs.

Conclusion

Extreme caution has to be taken when removing a dead bird because of the health risk associated with its carcass. That’s why you should consider hiring a bird removal professional to get the job done.

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