Starlings are adaptable birds, and in populated areas where natural nesting spots are less available, they choose man-made structures such as houses, barns, and commercial buildings. Soffits, eaves, and attics become acceptable crevices where they can find shelter with minimal disturbance to build their nests and raise their offspring.
Unfortunately, starlings live in flocks, so seeing starlings regularly could signify an infestation. Handling a starling influx on your own is never recommended. A professional wildlife removal company is your best defense, and Critter Control has the experience to effectively and humanely know how to remove starlings in the attic.
Why Are There Starlings in the Attic?
A bird in the house, such as a starling, is usually the result of uncovered vents or openings in the exterior of your home. Starlings prefer to roost in tree cavities or small crevices but will choose your attic if these natural habitats are not available.
If there is a starling nest present, the starling in the attic is most likely male. They build these roosts to attract females during mating season. During this time, the birds are often territorial and hostile if cornered.
How Do I Identify an Active Starling Nest?
There are several tell-tale signs of starlings in your attic:
- Vocalizations: Starlings are quite vocal. Starling sounds include whistling and clicking noises, and they can even mimic other birds. If there are young in their nest, you’ll hear them chirping for food.
- Movement noises: When these birds are in your attic, you’ll hear them rustling around and making scratching noises as they move about.
- Bird activity: If you observe your roofline for a while, you’ll see them flying around with nesting materials and bringing insects or berries into the nest. You’ll also see starlings in the garden and around the yard.
- Seeing a mess: Starlings are not neat birds. You will see nesting materials accumulating below their entryway, and you’ll see starling droppings.
Dangerous Roosts
Nesting starlings in the attic pose a serious health risk. The birds can transmit histoplasmosis, a fungal disease caused by mold that grows in starling droppings. When disturbed, these spores become airborne and get inhaled as the spores spread through the house, leading to the infection. Symptoms of histoplasmosis are similar to those of pneumonia and can include fever, a cough, chest pain, and fatigue. The disease can become chronic and start to affect other parts of the body besides the lungs.
Should I Remove a Starling Nest?
If you’re wondering how to get rid of birds in your attic, it’s important to approach this task with caution and consider professional help. You should not try to get rid of birds in your attic by yourself. Not only is there a risk of disease and injury, but removing an adult bird may also leave behind starling eggs or nestlings that cannot fend for themselves. Starlings also carry parasites that can be spread to people and pets.
While starlings are not endangered, they are a protected wildlife. Local laws need to be checked to understand what is permissible. In certain instances, a permit is required to remove a nest.
How Do I Prevent Starlings From Entering My Attic?
Keeping starlings out of your attic and property involves vigilance and regular maintenance:
- Check your roof, eaves, gutters, and soffits for holes and vulnerabilities that starlings can take advantage of, and seal all gaps.
- Make sure windows in your attic are closed or screened.
- Place mesh over all vents and chimneys.
- Limit food sources on your property by keeping bird feeders at a distance from your house, bringing in pet food, keeping trash tightly sealed, and placing nets over berry bushes.
- Clear your yard of leaves, twigs, branches, and other natural debris that starlings view as good nesting material.
Remove Starlings in the Attic With Critter Control
Starlings nesting in your attic can be a common yet frustrating problem. Without decisive action on your part, they will return year after year to their same nesting place. If you have starlings nesting in your attic, Critter Control is here to help with starling removal. A thorough and free inspection is all it takes to determine the extent of your infestation. We’ll prepare a plan for their removal as well as a plan for making your property less attractive to these pesky birds.
Critter Control specialists are fully trained to effectively and humanely remove starlings from your attic in a manner consistent with the law, and their services include a full cleanup and sanitizing of the infested space. A Critter Control office is never far away. When you need us, we respond fast. Call Critter Control at 800 274-3387.