Christine M Ferinde
New York Landmarks Conservancy
Common Bond June 1, 1998, vol. 14, no. 1

Maintenance: Good-bye to Guano

Call it droppings, manure, or guano, but pigeons and bats do more than create unsightly messes in the steeples, towers, and other areas of religious properties. Their droppings, as well as the ticks and fleas that they carry, can spread fungal, bacterial, viral, and even parasitic diseases that can cause serious and sometimes life-threatening illnesses. Periodic cleaning and removal of droppings are essential to prevent the kind of build-up that can pose a health hazard or result in serious damage to a building. This should not be treated lightly and any removal of infected debris should be performed by trained hazardous-waste professionals.

Guano is known to carry bacteria and diseases that could cause respiratory problems such as histoplasmosis, tuberculosis, salmonellosis, and encephalitis -- just to name a few. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, common symptoms can appear such as a mild, flu-like respiratory illness with a combination of general malaise, fever, chest pain, dry cough, headache, loss of appetite, shortness of breath, joint and muscle pains, chills, and hoarseness.

The best protection against exposure is to prevent the accumulation of guano in the first place. Therefore, routine maintenance to keep a building secure from bird or bat entry is necessary both before and after they are discovered in a building. Immediate action should be taken to exclude these unwanted intruders by sealing off all entry points and securing louvers and open towers with sturdy mesh screens or nylon "bird-proof" netting.

Pigeons, for example, usually thrive where they eat, and are often fed by well-meaning bird lovers in nearby parks and plazas. Therefore, even if birds cannot enter a secured building, they may still linger nearby and gradually begin to roost on window sills, ledges, or adjacent properties. Visual deterrents and noises may initially scare birds away, but these are generally only temporary solutions. There are many different bird-repellent solutions available today, but no product or practice is totally effective. A consultant can help diagnose a particular situation; contact the Landmarks Conservancy for more information on bird-repellent solutions.

Some important things to remember when checking enclosed spaces such as an attic or tower for guano are to take a quick look to assess the situation or just pop your head inside. Try not to disturb or kick the guano since it is most dangerous when airborne and inhaled. For this reason it is essential to wear protective clothing and change immediately after leaving the contaminated space. To further reduce the risk of exposure, wear a respirator approved by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.

When an accumulation of bat or bird guano is discovered in a building, removing it is not always the next step. For example, if guano is located in a space with no human activity, it may be most prudent to leave it undisturbed. Areas known or suspected of being contaminated should be posted with signs warning of the health risk. Each sign should provide the name and telephone number of a person to be contacted if there are any questions about the area. However, it is important to note that years worth of accumulation can cause wood rot and the deterioration of masonry.

Companies most likely to be able to clean out guano are hazardous-waste removal companies. According to Don Adler of the Safeway Environmental Corporation located in Whitestone, NY, asbestos removal companies are best-suited for this type of work since they must use similar methods and protective equipment. The cost for removal will be determined by the size of the room and the amount of debris to be transported.

Just remember, however, do not try removing it yourself!