Bird lice in the house: finding the roof source

Why look at the roof as well as the house?

People phone because birds are making one heck of a racket in the roof, or because there are tiny insects moving around the house. Sometimes both problems are happening together.

I ask where the birds have been entering and leaving, then check the nest location and the activity inside. The name someone gives the problem on the phone isn't a confirmed identification.

With starlings in a roof, bird lice are one of the reasons people contact us. One person in the household may notice the insects or marks while another hasn't noticed much. That difference doesn't identify the pest or rule it out; we still need to look at what is actually there.

Can the nest always be removed?

Sometimes the nest is in a spot we can't practically reach. We've had to wait until the birds moved out naturally before closing the access point. We need to assess that before promising that all the source work can happen immediately.

What happens if the source is difficult to reach?

We explain what can be done now, what needs waiting and how that affects the treatment plan. Closing the birds inside the roof isn't the answer.

Any treatment inside needs planning for the areas and surfaces involved. The return conditions depend on the products and work being done, so follow the instructions given for your job.

Tiny insects can be reported around rooms and furniture, so we assess how widely the indoor activity has spread. We may use ULV alongside other appropriate treatment. The work inside and the access to the nest are related, but they are separate parts of the plan.

Will one treatment always be enough?

In my experience, many jobs are sorted with one treatment and clients see a large improvement quickly. Some do need a follow-up. That isn't a guarantee of immediate relief or a finishing date for every house.