Pest controller swoops to tackle pigeons misery

THE owner of a pest control company has flown to the rescue of a family forced to flee their Edinburgh home after being terrorised by up to 200 pigeons.

Louise Cameron, 30, and her children, Niomi, nine, and Ryley, two, have been spending a few nights each week with relatives to get some respite from the birds, which are thought to have invaded the area after being forced out of a derelict building nearby.

The pigeons, which have covered windows and balconies with droppings, have been roosting en masse on the roof of the block in Hyvot Green, with some residents afraid to venture outside and others struggling to sleep at night because of the constant noise.

After reading about the plight of Miss Cameron – who lives in the worst-affected flat on the top floor of the block – in the Evening News on Saturday, owner of Menco Environmental Services in Dalkeith, Phil Menzies, offered to help the family free of charge.

Mr Menzies, 33, said: "I felt concerned that a young family were being expected to live in those conditions and I thought it would be a community-spirited thing to do to try and resolve the problem."

Mr Menzies added: "We can either try to prevent access by the birds, or prevent roosting points. There are two options to do this – we can put plastic bird spikes on the window ledges or balcony frame, or put a net around the balcony to prevent access.

"The plastic spikes are glued on and prevent any birds from landing on the ledges or balcony frame. It's a safe product.

"We will also disinfect and sanitise the balcony to make it safe."

The work would normally cost the company, which is based at Hardengreen Industrial Estate, between 150 and 200.

Miss Cameron had previously said she could not afford to install spikes and nets.

The stay-at-home mum said: "I'm totally relieved, this is brilliant news. Ryley is teething and he was getting woken up almost every night by the birds, which make noises and hit the window, so this will be a big improvement.

"It will make a big difference to everyone in the block, because helping me is helping everybody. I'm delighted. I'd like to thank Mr Menzies for his help."

Miss Cameron, who has lived in the flat for nine years, was previously told by the city council that they were unable to help because she owns the flat. Dunedin Canmore Housing Association, which owns three of the eight flats in the block, also said it could not help because Miss Cameron was not their tenant.

Miss Cameron hopes to return to her home full-time after the work has been carried out.

Mr Menzies added: "We can get going straight away."