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How to Keep Starlings Away from Bird Feeders?

how to keep starlings away from bird feeders

Why do you need to know how to keep starlings away from bird feeders? First of all, starlings like to stick with each other, so if one starling finds your bird feeder, hundreds more will start flocking to it. This means they will be chasing away other birds that will try to approach the feeder.

Now, what’s worse is that starlings are highly territorial, especially during the nesting season. If a flock of starlings decided to build their nests in your yard, they will claim the place as their own. This means, these pesky birds will attack you the moment you step inside your own garden, and they have really pointy beaks.

So, if you don’t want starlings to take over your property, here’s how to do it.

Step-by-step guide

Method 01: Use a Starling-Proof Feeder

keep starlings from your property

One solution how to get rid of starlings at feeders is to change them to something that they could not use.

What to prepare:

  • Caged bird feeders – The nice thing about this type of bird feeder is that you can limit the kind of birds that will have access to the bird seed.
  • A fresh batch of birdseed

Detailed steps:

Step 1: Remove your old bird feeder. If you are using a bird feeder that accommodates all sizes of birds then you need to empty it and stow it away.

Step 2: Replace the feeder with a starling-proof one. Get a caged bird feeder with openings around 1.5” x 1.5” in size. This will make sure that starlings won’t be able to get inside and reach the bird seed. In addition, the cage should be at least 11” in diameter, thereby keeping the starlings from just sticking their head inside the cage.

Step 3: Fill the feeder with fresh birdseed. Now that you have picked your new bird feeder, you need to put in a fresh batch of birdseed and hang it in its position. The starlings might still be interested in the new bird feeder, but they will be quickly discouraged from approaching after a while when they discover that they will not be able to feed from it.

Method 02: Discourage the Starlings from Nesting

how to get rid of starlings but not other birds

What to prepare:

  • Basic home repair tools – You will be patching holes and such so you will need at least a hammer and a couple of nails.
  • Steel mesh
  • Bird “scares” – You can use anything reflective, like mirrors or old CDs. You can also buy imitation predator birds. This will keep starlings from nesting in your yard, hopefully.

Detailed steps:

Step 1: Search for the nests. It is best that you hunt for the starling nests during the autumn or winter when the birds have migrated to warmer climates. Search for the nests in the rain gutters, in the soffits of your house, and in any crevices that you can find.

Step 2: Destroy the nests. The moment you find the nests, destroy them and dispose of the nest materials. Don’t worry about the birds. Note that during the autumn and winter, the birds will not be in their nests, so you can destroy their nests without harming the birds.

Step 3: Patch holes and plug possible entryways. Grab your tools and patching materials and get to work covering the possible entryways that starlings can use to build nests. Check the eaves of your roof for any holes and plug them using a bit of plywood. Repair tears in your roof vents using the mesh. Also, consider installing a non-clogging system on your roof gutters.

How to Keep Starlings from Your Property?

Now that you know how to keep the pesky starlings from getting into your bird feeder, here are some ways that you can use to keep them away permanently.

Clean spilled birdseed – Even if you use a caged bird feeder, the birds that can use it are typically messy eaters. They will undoubtedly spill a good amount of uneaten birdseed on the ground, which starlings can then eat. Prevent this from happening by regularly cleaning the area around the bird feeder, typically every time you refill it.

Use bird seed that starlings dislike – If you want to know how to get rid of starlings but not other birds, you can start by using food that they don’t like. Starlings have long, yet relatively soft beaks, which is why they usually eat meal worms and other soft food varieties.

Discourage the starlings from feeding on your property by using birdseed with hard outer husks, like sunflower seeds, millet seeds, and the like. Once the starlings notice that your bird feeder does not even contain food that they like, they will avoid it.

Conclusion

It would be nice to find a starling or two occasionally partaking in your bird feeder, but that is not usually how it goes. If you see one starling, there are always dozens more. You need to know how to keep starlings away from bird feeders to prevent them from taking over your entire yard.

Mentioned above are just some of the many ways you can deter these pesky birds from invading your space and chasing away other bird species away from your feeder. However, if you are dealing with a full-blown infestation of starlings, it would be best to consult with a professional pest control company.

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