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Starlings nests

Does anyone have any tips on getting rid of Starlings nesting in our house. They mess from their poo is terrible.

They appear to nest in the same spot each year

Comments

  • leveller2911
    leveller2911 Posts: 8,061 Forumite
    Leave them until the young have fledged and then block up the hole with wire netting or timber.

    If you can't block it up with netting or timber buy a can of expanding foam and squirt it in the hole.Don't put too much in or it will expand out and look a mess.When its cured it can be easily cut back with an old hand saw.
  • hardtimes
    hardtimes Posts: 345 Forumite
    The problem is I do not have ladders,not good with heights
  • leveller2911
    leveller2911 Posts: 8,061 Forumite
    hardtimes wrote: »
    The problem is I do not have ladders,not good with heights

    Have you got a relative with a ladder?, if not it shouldn't cost much to get someone in who can sort it.


    BTW no point in shooting it ,if you do then another pair will take over the site next year so you would have the same problem.

    Just to point out that even starlings are on the decline even though they used to be a real pest. Very clever bird as it can mimic the song of lots of other species, even mimics cars engines,mobile phone ringtones etc.
  • cyclonebri1
    cyclonebri1 Posts: 12,827 Forumite
    edited 2 June 2013 at 2:27PM
    Leave them until the young have fledged and then block up the hole with wire netting or timber.

    If you can't block it up with netting or timber buy a can of expanding foam and squirt it in the hole.Don't put too much in or it will expand out and look a mess.When its cured it can be easily cut back with an old hand saw.

    What he said.

    If you can't do it from the outside do it from the inside. Just make sure you use mesh so as to not block off ventilation.

    I suppose they are an attractive bird, they certainly are in winter rainbow plumage, but it's their dam bullying habit and as the OP realises, the mess they make.

    Sounds simple but block up where the nests are and any other gap over 1" wide. Go up in daylight on a bright day to see where the light comes through.
    I'm not certain, but it may even be an offence to shoot them now.
    I like the thanks button, but ,please, an I agree button.

    Will the grammar and spelling police respect I do make grammatical errors, and have carp spelling, no need to remind me.;)

    Always expect the unexpected:eek:and then you won't be dissapointed
  • rich_jtg
    rich_jtg Posts: 316 Forumite
    Yep, they're a protected species now, so illegal to kill them or tamper with their nests.

    We had a similar problem and last winter used a small piece of wire mesh and some expanding foam to stop them getting in again.
  • Gloomendoom
    Gloomendoom Posts: 16,551 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    As above. Wait until they have gone then block up the holes.
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