How to remove a starling roost?
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Every year in the fall, large numbers of starlings arrive and gather by the hundreds or thousands to spend the night in starling roosts.
In cities, on buildings, or near crops, these gatherings can cause significant nuisances: noise, droppings, mess, and damage to crops.
To dislodge a starling roost, the approach involves gradually making the roost uncomfortable and unsafe using an acoustic or laser deterrent, in order to encourage the starlings to flee the roost.
How can you effectively deter a roost of starlings?
A deterrence campaign typically lasts 2 to 4 days, with treatments administered each morning and evening using a deterrent solution. In the morning, treatment begins about one hour before the birds’ usual waking time and continues until they leave. In the evening, it begins about one hour after sunset, once the birds have settled in.
After 2 to 4 days, the roost may be significantly reduced or abandoned. However, monitoring remains necessary to prevent the birds from returning.
This method of repeated scaring is described in particular in thel’IRNA / Plante & Cité studies on starling management.
What are some ways to move a starling roost?
Several technologies can be used to deter starlings, depending on the environment and site-specific constraints.
Acoustic Deterrence
Acoustic deterrence uses specific sound signals to scare away starlings.
AviTrac® : Programmable acoustic repeller
The AviTrac® allows you to program and automatically play various deterrent sounds, such as predator cries or starling distress calls...
The AViTrac® bird deterrent is completely autonomous: you can program its operating hours, the interval between sounds, and the signals to be played.
In urban areas or near residential areas, however, you must take noise pollution and local regulations into account.
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Laser Deterrence
When noise-based deterrents are not feasible, laser deterrence offers an attractive alternative.
The principle involves projecting a moving beam of light onto the area occupied by the birds. The birds perceive this movement as a physical threat and instinctively leave the area.
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LightTrac® Portable Laser
The LightTrac® 40 portable laser can be used, for example, to conduct 15-minute scanning sessions in the morning and evening to dislodge starlings from their roosts.
Read our case study on a campaign to scare away corvids in the city center using a LightTrac® 40.
LazerTrac® LZT40 Autonomous repelling laser
For sites requiring an automated solution, the LazerTrac® LZT40 bird deterrent combines laser and acoustic technology. The laser’s schedule, intervals, and paths can be programmed to tailor the deterrence campaign to the birds’ behavior.
It is also possible to disable the acoustic signals and use only the laser to avoid noise pollution.
Also check out our case study on using a LazerTrac® 40 to deter a roost of corvids at the edge of a field.
What's the best way to get rid of a starling roost?
The choice of technology depends primarily on the location of the roost, the number of birds, the presence of nearby residents, and the ability to intervene regularly.
In rural or agricultural areas, acoustic deterrents may be particularly effective. In urban areas, where noise pollution is a concern, lasers may be the preferred option. Combining the two technologies also allows the strategy to be adapted to the birds’ behavior.
In all cases, the speed and regularity of interventions are essential to prevent starlings from resuming their old habits.
Are you struggling with a starling roost?
Whether you are a local government, a business, a farmer, or a site manager, our team can help you choose the solution best suited to your situation.
Contact us so we can assess your situation and develop a tailored deterrence strategy.
Phone: 02 98 96 08 12
Email: contact@agriprotech.fr
