Bird **** In Pole Barn

[lumpy76]

We are getting a property with a 40X80 pole barn on it and there is a lot of bird **** on the trusses. Might have had chickens at one time but not sure what kind it is. It is sealed up now so the problem is fixed for the future.

Floor is very fine gravel. I am worried about the **** getting down into the gravel, drying and then turning into dust that we breath. I figure we can paint over the trusses and kind of seal it in without ever disturbing it but what about any that fell down? Is there a spray or something to neutralize it? Bleach it all? Kill it with fire? (weed burner) Would be terrible to haul out the floor. Just don't want to be responsible for any of us getting sick.


It is in nice shape. Just had new aluminum roof and skylights put on. Don't want and might not be able to afford to tear down and start over. We don't have possession yet so no pics. This will not break the sale either way so we wont be walking. Thanks all.

 

[stm317]

Lay a tarp or something on the floor, clean the trusses, then pitch the tarp and everything that falls on it?

 

[oldgoaly]

I live on a old chicken farm, if the **** is dry it will pop off. wear dust masks and safety glasses. If you go the pressure washer, you have to have a plan to concrete the floor.

The floor might be crushed limestone, easy on the knees! can be compacted and be fairly hard.. Still need a plywood sheet for a floor jack. Down side ground hog can dig thru it!

 

[HoosierMark]

Why not talk to some experts such as the Indiana Board of Health and ask them for the best way to handle it. The county board of health may also have information on how to clean it properly. It may be easier or harder then you think. You can power wash it, perhaps lightly sand blast it or spray paint it but why not get experts involved. If you ever want to sell it, you can show a paper trail that you cleaned the building properly.

 

[randyandrewsberg]

I occasionally get municipal contracts for this exact job, this is my go to product.
https://birdbarrier.com/cleaning-supplies/cleaning-supplies-dissolve-it.html

Sent from my XT1635-01 using Tapatalk

 

[jmarkwolf]

Put a big ugly snake in there to protect against any future infestation of birds!

 

[lumpy76]

Thanks everyone. I like the idea of starting a proper paper trail. I will also start shopping for a few big ugly snakes. Lol.

 

[ezover]

I am trying to imagine how much bird **** there would have to be to make me concerned.

I would think a power washer and maybe some bleach would take care of the issues with the wood, then I would do the same for the floor. then time would make what every is left non toxic. but that is just a uneducated opinion.

I had a similar problem when I bought my house with a pole barn. the previous owner had it built and never used it, but he stored a couple of old mattresses in the rafters.

I pulled one down and all this racoon/cat **** came falling down on my head $^#@#$%^. I pushed the other one down with a 2x4 lol. swept it up and hosed everything down.

 

[lumpy76]

Ez, too bad I didn't get pictures. Will try next weekend. I was thinking about the whole time thing also as there is no evidence of it in the gravel. All looks to be years old up top. I will get a pro out there because I don't want to be lying in **** and not know it.

 

[ezover]

I will get a pro out there because I don't want to be lying in **** and not know it.

I can understand that, it never hurts to get a pro's opinion on something that you have a real concern with, just for the peace of mind, been there done that a few times.

to make a long story short, my BIL's nephew installed my whole house generator at no cost to me. I did not feel real competent about his skills so I payed a company to come out and go over his work just so I did not worry about my house burning down some night. other then not flipping a switch to burn propane instead of gas he did all the other work correctly.

 

[HoosierMark]

Lumpy 76 I was talking to my wife about this and she reminded me that a friend of my son lost most of his eye sight from histoplasmosis. He played a lot in an old chicken house and that is where the problem came from, by the time he was in high school he was really struggling with sight now I understand he is legally blind. Glad to know you are going to clean up the droppings.

 

[lumpy76]

Wow, that is terrible. Yeah, don't want to screw around with that. I have enough health issues as it is.

 

[Samh]

I pulled one down and all this racoon/cat **** came falling down on my head $^#@#$%^. I pushed the other one down with a 2x4 lol. swept it up and hosed everything down.

LMAO. I feel your pain. One time, ran into one of those fly bags that was totally full spilled all over my head and face. To this day, if I think about that, it makes me start gagging and dry heaving.