Excluding starlings from an area or
location seems simple enough, yet it will not decrease the population of the
species as a whole. Perhaps the starlings will move on to a different location
if they cannot settle in your area, but chances are they will find trees nearby
and congregate in large numbers called roosts (Johnson et al. 2005). Therefore, exclusions methods
are most helpful in livestock facilities or urban areas where the presence of
starlings can violate health and sanitation regulations.
Starlings can be excluded through the use of heavy plastic or rubber strips over any openings, as seen in figure 1 below, netting over doorways and windows, and "bird-proof" facilities such as flip-top feeders, lick wheels, and automatic-release feeders like the one seen in figure 2 (Johnson et al. 2005). Keeping the starlings away from the crops will greatly decrease the food loss, spread of disease, and cost of any other control methods (Johnson et al. 2005). For the most effective results, focus on specific areas that are receiving the most damage since complete exclusion from any territory is impractical (Johnson et al.
2005).
Starlings can be excluded through the use of heavy plastic or rubber strips over any openings, as seen in figure 1 below, netting over doorways and windows, and "bird-proof" facilities such as flip-top feeders, lick wheels, and automatic-release feeders like the one seen in figure 2 (Johnson et al. 2005). Keeping the starlings away from the crops will greatly decrease the food loss, spread of disease, and cost of any other control methods (Johnson et al. 2005). For the most effective results, focus on specific areas that are receiving the most damage since complete exclusion from any territory is impractical (Johnson et al.
2005).
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| Figure 1. Heavy plastic and rubber strips hang down to prevent starling entry to buildings. (Johnson et al. 2005). |
 |
|
Figure 2. Grain storing facilities with closed openings
exclude starlings from entering and feeding on the grain. (Johnson et al.
2005).
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Though this method will not decrease the population of starlings in any significant way, it can force the birds to relocate without leaving any damage behind. However, if this tactic is employed during the winter months, the decrease of sanctuary locations may cause the starlings to suffer from exposure to winter conditions and die (Schuster 2010). Additional control methods employed immediately after exclusion may lead to a more significant decrease in the starling population.
Works Cited:
Johnson, R. J. & Glahn, J.F. (2005) European Starlings and Their Control. Internet Center for Wildlife Damage Management. Cornell University, Clemson University, University of Nebraska - Lincoln, and Utah State University. (Date Accessed: May 11, 2013.) http://icwdm.org/handbook/birds/EuropeanStarlings.asp
Schuster, J. (2010) European Starlings: Population Control Methods. Wild Wing. Wild Wing Company (Date Accessed: May 11, 2013.) http://www.wildwingco.com/starlings.html
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