Altoona's bird control situation is shaped by the city's history. Downtown Altoona has significant pigeon populations on former railroad-era commercial buildings along 11th and 12th Avenue, the old Penn Central infrastructure, and rail-adjacent industrial facilities along the corridor. Pigeons love flat ledges, covered overhangs, and the nooks in older masonry buildings — exactly what Altoona's downtown commercial district provides.
Starlings are a residential and commercial problem citywide. They force their way into attic vents, dryer vents, and bathroom exhaust vents, building large messy nests that block airflow, create fire risk, and generate parasites.
We handle bird control for residential and commercial clients across Blair County. If you are a property manager on the US-22 corridor or own a commercial building in downtown Altoona, we handle that kind of property.
Rock Pigeon (Columba livia). Downtown commercial buildings, parking structures, rail-adjacent industrial sites. Pigeon droppings are corrosive, slippery, and a health liability. Accumulations on ledges and mechanical equipment cause damage and potential OSHA citations. We install exclusion netting, bird spikes, and structural deterrents. No poisons — we use only exclusion-based methods.
European Starling. Extremely common throughout Altoona. They get into attic louver vents, dryer exhaust vents, bathroom fans, and any open soffit gap. Their nests block ventilation and carry mites and other parasites. Exclusion — installing proper vent covers and closing access points — is the fix. They are aggressive enough to take over spaces from native birds, which is why control is legal and appropriate.
House Sparrow. Similar habits to starlings — vent and soffit nesting. Also excludable without harm. Like starlings, house sparrows are introduced species not protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.
Chimney Swift (Chaetura pelagica). Important note: Chimney swifts are federally protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. They nest in open masonry chimneys from May through August in central Pennsylvania. You cannot legally evict them during that period. We document swift presence and schedule chimney cap installation for after the nesting season ends — typically late September. Chimney swifts eat enormous numbers of flying insects and are highly beneficial. We work around them, not against them.
We work with commercial property owners, industrial facilities, and multi-tenant buildings along US-22, the US-220 corridor, and downtown Altoona. Bird exclusion on commercial properties involves:
No, and no reputable operator will. Chimney swifts are federally protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act throughout their nesting season (roughly May through August in central PA). We will tell you they are there and schedule chimney cap installation for after the season. Interfering with chimney swift nests carries federal penalties.
A proper vent cover with a flap that closes when the dryer is not running is the correct fix. We install these and make sure the vent termination is appropriate for the application. Do this before starlings move in — once they have nested, they will return to the same spot every year.
Yes. We do commercial bird control on larger buildings, ledge exclusion, netting, and droppings cleanup. Call for a site assessment and quote.
Related service: general wildlife removal in Blair County
Exclusion-based bird control for Altoona residences and commercial properties along US-22 and downtown.
(814) 800-3215