Birds flying around an urban area leaving bird droppings

Bird Dropping Removal

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UK’s trusted experts in the safe and professional removal of bird droppings.

Fast, effective response within 60 minutes.

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Our Bird Dropping Removal Service

Rentokil Specialist Hygiene’s technicians will quickly and expertly clean and disinfect bird droppings (also known as guano), which is the accumulation of large amounts of droppings, from your building. Our safe and efficient bird guano cleaning and disinfection service will help to protect you from the health hazards that these environments can present.

Our Pest Clean and Protect service not only removes unsightly bird guano but also destroys any disease-causing organisms (pathogens) that have been left behind.  It also provides long-lasting protection against them coming back.

What is Bird Dropping Removal?

Bird dropping removal, or Guano removal, is the physical removal of bird poo from building exteriors, pavements, lofts, roof voids, or anywhere where its presence could pose a health risk or damage the building's structure or aesthetic.

Where Does Bird Guano Accumulate?

A build-up of bird guano can occur wherever birds roost or gather regularly. Bird species such as starlings, pigeons and gulls will all use the same areas day after day when roosting or nesting, which inevitably leads to significant amounts of bird droppings on roofs, facades, gulleys and window ledges. Where birds such as pigeons can access vacant roof spaces or plant rooms, they will flock in numbers, meaning a considerable amount of guano can occur in a very short period of time. Pigeon guano removal, in particular, is a vital part of preventing disease transmission in commercial environments.

The Importance of Bird Waste Clean Up

Maintaining a clean, hygienic environment isn't just ‘a nice to have’, it's a necessity under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, and, for anyone involved in the food industry, maintaining an environment which is bird poo free can help you to comply with the Food Safety Act 1990.

Bird fouling of a building's exterior looks, and smells unpleasant, and if left untreated can damage stone and metal, as well as fouling the paths and walkways below which in turn can present a slip hazard for pedestrians. A clean building, free from bird guano and debris, promotes a hygienic and safe environment within. Once the area has been proofed against bird ingress, a professional bird excrement removal and clean is an essential next step.

What Damage Can Bird Droppings Cause?

The effects of bird droppings go far beyond an unpleasant first impression. Without action, guano can be dangerous, cause structural damage and harbour a number of hazardous pathogens.

Our in-house team of specialist technicians are trained to safely remove guano without causing damage to the underlying surfaces, helping to preserve and protect your property.

  • Disease Guano harbours a whole host of pathogenic (disease causing) organisms such as  salmonella, cryptococcosis and psittacosis, which can easily be transmitted through contact or even by breathing in the air around the contaminated area.

  • Slip hazards When birds roost or perch above walkways, daily deposits of bird guano on the ground below can become very slippy and pose a significant risk to health.

  • Structural damage Being very acidic, bird guano can lead to the corrosion of the surfaces it’s left on, especially tar-based roofing materials and paint finishes. A really heavy build up of guano can even cause structural damage.

  • Odour As well as being very harmful, the foul odour associated with bird guano is very offputting to staff and members of the public, particularly during warmer weather.

  • Aesthetic A build up of bird guano is unsightly and gives a negative impression of your business or home.

What Health Hazards do Bird Droppings Present?

Bird droppings are a breeding ground for bacteria and fungi, and you don't even need to touch them to become ill. When guano dries, airborne particles and moisture droplets carry microorganisms such as bacteria around in the air where they are easily inhaled, potentially leading to serious respiratory illness.

Some of the more common diseases associated with guano include:

  • Psittacosis: An infection caused by Chlamydia psittaci, a type of bacteria found in bird droppings, such as those left by pigeons. When bird waste dries and becomes airborne people may inhale this and get sick. Further complications such as pneumonia are often encountered.
  • Salmonellosis: Salmonella infection through contact with guano, typically where bird droppings contaminate food products. Salmonella bacteria can survive for weeks, or even months in the right environment.
  • Cryptococcosis: A fungal disease associated with guano, which also grows in soil. It is very unlikely that healthy people will become infected even at high levels of exposure but it can be dangerous for infants, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems
  • Campylobacteriosis: Caused by Campylobacter bacteria, this is a very common illness that results in diarrhea. It is often found in both wild and domestic bird faeces.
  • Histoplasmosis: Caused by a fungus called Histoplasma capsulatum, which grows in pigeon guano. It also grows in soil and can be found throughout the world.

What’s Involved in a Bird Dropping Removal?

Safety and legal compliance are our top priorities. Before any bird guano removal begins, we conduct thorough checks for protected species, including bats, and perform a detailed site survey and risk assessment. The cleaning work will only commence once we have confirmed it is fully safe and legal to proceed.

Initial Biocidal Treatment - We begin by applying a biocidal liquid treatment directly to the guano. This safely dampens down any airborne particles preventing the potential spread of germs and destroys bacteria and fungal spores present from the outset.

Full Removal and Deep Clean - All guano and affected materials, such as loft insulation, nest materials and debris are physically cleared. Following this, our specialist cleaners will perform a deep clean of all surfaces using professional-grade cleaning agents.

Disinfection - Once the area is thoroughly cleaned, we apply a powerful, industry-approved biocide. This final treatment is specifically formulated to eliminate any remaining pathogens, leaving all surfaces hygienically clean and ensuring your property is restored to a safe condition.

Waste Removal - Finally, all waste is carefully segregated, removed from your property, and disposed of in full compliance with all legal and environmental requirements. We will provide you with a detailed treatment report documenting the services completed.

How Does Rentokil Specialist Hygiene Carry Out a Bird Dropping Removal Clean?

1. Contact and Response

From the moment you get in touch, our experts will talk you through what to expect from a bird dropping removal service and discuss your requirements, as well as giving you an idea of cost. Based on this consultation, we will either immediately dispatch a rapid response team in an emergency, or schedule a comprehensive, no-obligation survey with your local specialist for planned works.

2. Service Assessment

We are committed to delivering a service built on trust, safety, and technical excellence. We will always provide a detailed risk assessment before any work is started to make sure hazards are identified and dealt with. Our focus is to keep our customers and members of the public safe.

3. Specialist Cleaning

Working with you to minimise disruption, our directly-employed, RSPH-trained specialists will arrive in a Rentokil liveried vehicle, wearing full uniform and carrying identification. After safely securing the area, using specialist equipment and industry-approved chemicals, we will meticulously neutralise and remove all guano, contaminated materials, and nesting debris. This is followed by a deep clean and a final, targeted disinfection to ensure the area is left hygienically safe.

4. Completion and Final Handover

Upon completion, our team will review the work and provide a full service report ensuring you are completely satisfied and have a formal record for your audit trail. We will also discuss any further recommendations with you before we leave your site, and would be grateful if you could share your experience with others by leaving us a review on Google.

Lasting Antibacterial Protection With Pest Clean and Protect

Bird guano is just one example of a pest related hygiene issue that, if left unaddressed, can negatively impact your home and business, your health and your reputation. Thats why Rentokil Specialist Hygiene offer a comprehensive Pest Clean and Protect package to expertly deal with any pest-related hygiene issues as well as providing long lasting antimicrobial protection following effective control of rodents, insects and birds.

Our new Pest Clean and Protect service provides a complete, end-to-end solution for pest-related hygiene issues. The service includes:

  • Comprehensive Cleaning and Disinfection: A full onsite assessment, safe removal of all pest droppings, professional disinfection, and compliant waste disposal.
  • Long-Lasting Surface Protection: Additional application of Surface Protect 360®, our exclusive antimicrobial coating that actively works on high-traffic surfaces for up to 90 days.

Why Choose Rentokil Specialist Hygiene for Your Bird Dropping Clean

With over 50 years experience, Rentokil Specialist Hygiene is the UK trusted commercial cleaning company for the safe removal and cleaning of guano.

  • Experienced in working with a wide range of commercial and domestic customers.
  • Expert cleaning technicians, including specialist access teams for hard to reach areas
  • 24/7 rapid response across the UK, for emergencies we can dispatch within 60 minutes.
  • Wholly employed, fully RSPH trained operatives with specialist PPE and equipment
  • Expert, consultant-led no-obligation site survey
  • Discreet, respectful and professional service
  • Full regulatory compliance, risk assessment and detailed post-clean reporting
  • Sustainable products and methods are used
  • Safe waste disposal through licensed carriers
  • Trust us to restore safety, hygiene, and peace of mind

How Can I Arrange a Clean?

To arrange a Pest Clean and Protect service, including bird dropping removal, contact Rentokil Specialist Hygiene today to schedule your site survey.

Call our friendly team of experts on 0808 159 1403 or contact us here 24/7/365 to discuss how we can help with all your commercial cleaning needs.

Frequently Asked Questions about Bird Droppings Removal


  • What is guano?

    Guano refers to the faeces of birds, bats or seals. They are more than just an aesthetic issue; they pose significant health risks due to the pathogens they can harbour, and they can also cause damage to property. Our professional guano cleaning and disinfection services are designed to safely and effectively remove these hazardous materials and decontaminate affected areas.


  • What are the dangers involved in cleaning bird poo?

    Bird waste, or guano, presents serious hazards. It contains pathogens like Histoplasmosis, Psittacosis, and Salmonella, causing respiratory illnesses. Wet guano also creates extreme slip and fall risks, and often this involves working at height.


  • What damage can bird dropping cause?

    The impact of bird droppings are more significant than just ruining the aesthetics of your property. They are highly acidic and can corrode building surfaces and materials such as roofing and paintwork. It can reduce the efficiency of solar panels as it creates shade on the surface, reducing solar energy intake.


  • Why is professional bird dropping cleanup necessary?

    Professional bird dropping cleanup is crucial because guano is a biohazard. It contains many pathogenic bacteria, viruses, and fungi, posing significant health risks like Histoplasmosis, Psittacosis, and Salmonellosis. Our experts are equipped with specialist disinfection solutions and appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to safely clean and sanitise affected surfaces, ensuring the health risks are effectively removed from your property.


  • Which surfaces can you clean?

    Our experts provide bird dropping removal services across a wide range of surfaces and environments. Our trained technicians are equipped to safely clean and decontaminate all affected building surfaces, including:

    • Roofs
    • Balconies
    • Ledges
    • Window sills
    • External walls
    • Pavements
    • Gutters

  • Can you clean bird droppings on delicate surfaces?

    Yes, our expert technicians assess the material of each affected surface before utilising specialist cleaning methods. Our solutions are designed to safely remove bird droppings from even the most delicate surfaces, such as historical stonework, glass or sensitive paint finishes, without causing any damage.


  • Why would you need a professional bird dropping cleaning service vs a DIY solution?

    There are a variety of reasons why bird droppings should be cleaned by professionals.

    • Significant health risk - Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is essential when cleaning bid droppings due to exposure to bacteria.
    • Complete removal - a professional cleaning service will ensure all of the guano is removed from the surface, and that the affected area has been fully disinfected.
    • Serious safety hazards - accumulated guano creates slippery surfaces, posing a high risk of slips and falls, especially when working at height.
    • Property damage - if left untreated, bird guano can corrode surfaces over time. Using incorrect techniques can cause additional and permanent damage to surfaces.

    Opting for professional bird dropping cleaning means the appropriate PPE is used to safely and effectively remove the waste, protecting both your health and property.


  • Is bird guano the only dropping I should be concerned about?

    While bird guano is hazardous, droppings from rats and mice pose significant health risks. Rodent droppings can carry dangerous pathogens like Hantavirus and Salmonella.

    Rentokil Specialist Hygiene has a dedicated Pest Clean and Protect services, which includes specialist cleaning and disinfection for rat and mouse droppings, helping your premises remain safe and compliant. Our experts remove all the waste from the area, sanitise, and apply a lasting disinfection. Treated surfaces kill bacteria between cleans 24/7, and are more than 99.9% effective against bacteria for up to 3 months.

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