In Chambly, on the South Shore, an elementary school in the Fort sector called on our services following a prolonged nesting of rock pigeons on the windowsills and in the cornices of the main building. The accumulation of pigeon droppings over several seasons posed serious health risks for students and staff: dried pigeon droppings can contain Histoplasma capsulatum, a fungal pathogen responsible for histoplasmosis, as well as the bacterium Chlamydophila psittaci. Intervening in a school setting required careful planning, the use of child-safe products, and transparent communication with school management and school authorities. Our team in Chambly specializes in interventions in sensitive institutional environments and has the necessary certifications for this type of mandate.
Inspection and mapping of contaminated areas
The initial assessment identified fifteen window sills and two cornices with manure accumulations ranging from two to eight centimetres thick. Active and abandoned nests have been identified in a metal canopy above the main entrance and in a corner of the flat roof on the inner courtyard side. The presence of feathers, decaying organic matter, and insect larvae associated with pigeon nests, including dermests and clothing moths, has been accurately documented. Air contamination by manure dust was an immediate risk during any snow removal or window maintenance activity. The school administration had also noticed that some employees were reporting respiratory irritation after cleaning the exterior windows without protective equipment. All the results were compiled in a complete report submitted to the management before any intervention, making it possible to obtain the necessary authorizations from the school board as soon as possible. You can see our achievements in decontamination of institutional buildings for comparable cases.
Removal of droppings and disinfection of exterior surfaces
The work was planned during spring break to avoid any exposure of students. The teams used high-pressure hydro-cleaners coupled with industrial vacuum cleaners to capture the humidified droppings before they were dispersed into the surrounding air. This combined technique is essential to prevent the suspension of the fungal spores responsible for histoplasmosis. A broad-spectrum fungicide and bactericidal disinfectant, registered for use on concrete, metal and stone surfaces, was applied to all treated surfaces and rinsed thoroughly with clean water. Nests were removed in airtight containers and disposed of according to contaminated biological material management protocols. The concrete and painted metal surfaces have returned to their original state after complete drying, leaving no visible residue. Our decontamination service in this institutional context requires specific expertise in products adapted to environments frequented by children, and our team has this specialized training.
Installation of anti-pigeon devices and maintenance plan
To prevent the return of pigeons, stainless steel anti-perch pins have been attached to all window sills and cornices identified as nesting areas. Low-voltage taut cables have been installed under the awnings, creating an unstable surface that deters birds from landing for a long time. These mechanical devices, which are safe for birds and discreet from a distance, simply prevent pigeons from establishing themselves and nesting. An annual maintenance plan has been proposed to the school board, including a visual inspection of the building envelope each fall to detect any nesting incipients before they become a problem. Maintenance staff have been given clear instructions on what to do in the event of new nests or new build-up of droppings. This type of preventive contract, presented in our recent preventive projects, makes it possible to avoid the recurrence of costly situations. Visit Nova Extermination for any request for information on our institutional services.