Starlings in roof

Wanton

Hello,

We've just discovered that starlings have gotten in to our roof to start building a nest. I understand that its illegal to interfere with their nests during breeding season, does anyone know when breeding season is?

Secondly, they've started ripping out the loft insulation, does anyone know how I can limit them doing this if I'm not allowed to remove the nest and block the entrace?

Thanks,
Rob

yoyoegg

If anyone asks, the breeding season starts the day after you block off the access into the loft!

cyclonebri1

I wouldn't have any issue with ripping out the nest and blocking the access. But that's me, it's not advice, just a view.

If it had eggs or young then you need to let nature take it's course.

They will soon find another spot.

Wanton

Thanks, I'll go up there and look tomorrow morning. Hopefully there are no eggs or young in there.
Any idea what to block the entrance with?

Dippypud

Chicken wire or spray foam

Whatever you have to hand, it really depends on how big the hole is and where it is...

diywhynot

Wanton wrote: »

Hello,

We've just discovered that starlings have gotten in to our roof to start building a nest. I understand that its illegal to interfere with their nests during breeding season, does anyone know when breeding season is?

Secondly, they've started ripping out the loft insulation, does anyone know how I can limit them doing this if I'm not allowed to remove the nest and block the entrace?

Thanks,
Rob

In some parts of the UK, starlings are nesting now.

Advice on how to stop birds nesting in your roof is here.

cyclonebri1

Dippypud wrote: »

Chicken wire or spray foam

Whatever you have to hand, it really depends on how big the hole is and where it is...

exactly, chicken wire is always the favourite, can be shaped to any aperture.

If you can see a 1inch slit of daylight, then they can get in.

The alarmist in me says also can rats and squirrels, and yes I have seen rats runs up a 20ft vertical wall. :eek::eek:

Dippypud

cyclonebri1 wrote: »

exactly, chicken wire is always the favourite, can be shaped to any aperture.

If you can see a 1inch slit of daylight, then they can get in.

The alarmist in me says also can rats and squirrels, and yes I have seen rats runs up a 20ft vertical wall. :eek::eek:

Rats can get through a hole a little larger than 1/2"

Mice can get through a hole the size of the diameter of a Biro, in other words, if you can get your little finger in - a mouse can get in ...

cyclonebri1

Dippypud wrote: »

Rats can get through a hole a little larger than 1/2"

Mice can get through a hole the size of the diameter of a Biro, in other words, if you can get your little finger in - a mouse can get in ...

You are pretty much right, mice can get through 1/2" x 1" weldmesh, they can't get through 1/2 x 1/2, but that gives little more headroom than the biro you mention.

Good fun to watch the greedy barstewards get though a gap then gloat on seed and try to get back, monkey with the hand in the cookey jar taken to the extreme,

Rats need 3/4" x 1" and that's a very small one, he won't get back out:D:D

Furts

Hi Wanton

It would be best to bag up and dispose of the nest after the starlings have vacated. Wear gauntlets - the nests can have fleas or lice in them. The starlings will not be returning to feed these. After a while hunger may force them to venture off looking for food - like through a crack between a bedroom ceiling and a wall. You could be below!

novo_2

They start nesting, because they wish to breed, so even if the nest is not active yet, if they are not causing much damage why not let them? They are on the red list, which means they are globally threatened. If you do wish to block access to the roof, maybe you could provide a nesting box instead: http://www.rspb.org.uk/advice/expert/previous/starlingsinroof.aspx. It's not easy for birds to find a secure nest in an urban environment.