How to Identify & Get Rid of Starlings
Author:
Mosh Latifi
Co-Owner of Ecocare
Published:
Nov 17, 2025
Urban and rural areas across London face recurring starling problems every breeding season. These highly social birds gather in large flocks, nesting in vents, roofs, and building crevices, and often leave behind mess, noise, and contamination. Knowing how to remove starlings is vital for property protection and health reasons. Their droppings can stain and corrode surfaces, while their aggressive behaviour drives away native birds. This guide by EcoCare PestControl Management explains how to identify, prevent, deter, and remove starling infestations effectively. With a focus on humane starling control and eco-conscious prevention, EcoCare outlines each step – from recognising nesting patterns and food sources to implementing sustainable deterrents – helping Londoners protect their property long-term, while supporting safer, cleaner environments.
Table of Content
Starlings Facts & Information
Scientific Name: Sturnus vulgaris (European Starling)
Size: 19–23 cm in length; wingspan up to 40 cm
Colour: Glossy black with iridescent green and purple sheen; speckled during winter
Wings: Short, pointed wings for rapid flight and agile flocking
Diet: Omnivorous; prefers insects, cracked seed, fruit, and bird food
Behaviour: Highly social, known for large flocking patterns and aggressive feeding
Habitat: Nests in cavities, vents, and eaves; common in urban and agricultural areas
Breeding: Two to three broods per year, with four to six eggs per clutch
Lifespan: 2–5 years in the wild, though adaptable to human environments
How to Identify Starlings?
European starlings are intelligent, invasive birds introduced from America and now widespread throughout the UK. Their population thrives in urban areas due to abundant nesting sites and readily available food. Starlings are cavity nesters, often building nests in roof spaces, eaves, or exhaust vents using grass, feathers, and soft materials. Their nesting begins in early spring and extends through summer, leading to multiple broods and significant property disruption.
Each adult bird demonstrates strong flocking instincts, gathering in massive murmurations before roosting. This behaviour causes buildup of droppings and contamination, which can attract insects and pose health risks. Infestations often start when property owners ignore small nesting attempts, leading to large, persistent colonies. The starling’s adaptive behaviour, insatiable appetite, and nesting persistence make control challenging without professional removal or deterrent strategies. Understanding their life cycle - from nest building to fledging - helps prevent long-term problems and supports effective, humane starling control.
Identifying the Infestation: Signs to Look For
A starling infestation can be identified through several visible and auditory clues. You may hear loud chirping or fluttering beneath eaves or inside vents. Droppings on walls, windowsills, or paths below roof edges indicate heavy roosting activity. Damaged insulation or blocked gutters from nesting material are further signs. Flocking starlings circling your property at dusk often confirm an established colony. Spotting nesting debris, feathers, and persistent bird food spillage beneath feeders also signals an active problem. Early identification is key to effective starling removal before structural damage occurs.
Preventative Strategies: Stop Starlings Before They Start
To prevent starling nesting, eliminate easy access to potential entry points. Seal gaps, vents, and roof openings using durable mesh or bird spikes. Keep feeding areas clean and use starling-proof feeders designed to restrict access to large birds while allowing songbirds to feed safely. Avoid loose seed mixes and switch to safflower or mealworm-based food less attractive to starlings. Regularly check roofs and gutters for buildup of nesting material, and remove fallen debris promptly. Maintaining clean, clutter-free surroundings discourages birds from landing or gathering, reducing the risk of infestation. EcoCare PestControl’s professional inspection service can identify and block nesting sites, ensuring long-term protection across any property type.
Natural Deterrents: Safe, Non-Chemical Repellents
To deter starlings naturally, focus on removing attractions and using scent- or sound-based deterrents. Herbal repellents such as peppermint oil, vinegar sprays, and cedar blocks discourage nesting in roof eaves or vents. Hanging reflective devices, wind chimes, or CDs creates visual and auditory disturbance that disrupts starling behaviour. Avoid leaving open bird food or seed mixes that encourage flocking. Replace standard feeders with starling-proof designs or starling-resistant feeders, preventing large birds from accessing food while allowing songbirds to feed safely. These humane methods are effective for reducing starling activity without harming other species, making them ideal for eco-conscious homeowners and commercial properties across London and Surrey.
How to Get Rid of Starlings
When a starling infestation has already begun, active removal becomes essential. Secure the area by identifying all nest locations within the property and safely removing nesting material once birds vacate. Starling traps or exclusion devices can be installed temporarily under professional supervision to manage problem birds humanely. For enclosed vents, mesh guards or netting prevent return access. Using motion-activated sound devices helps drive starlings away from habitual perching spots. Clean all droppings and debris thoroughly to remove health risks and reduce odour signals that attract other birds. EcoCare PestControl’s BPCA-certified team ensures safe and lawful removal, employing non-toxic, sustainable starling control techniques to protect both structure and wildlife.
Integrated Pest Management: Combining Techniques
Integrated pest management (IPM) combines deterrents, removal, and long-term prevention for sustainable starling control. The approach includes property assessment, exclusion planning, and targeted deterrent application. EcoCare PestControl Management’s experts recommend using starling traps only as part of a broader prevention strategy that involves sealing access points and maintaining bird-safe environments. IPM focuses on balancing humane methods with proven efficiency, ensuring starling nesting sites are eliminated without ecological harm. For persistent starling problems, EcoCare’s professional service offers tailored solutions designed to suit each property type - residential, commercial, or industrial - achieving lasting control across London and Surrey.
Unique Tips & Homeowner Insights
Homeowners can discourage starlings by creating less attractive feeding environments. Avoid cracked corn or suet, as these foods appeal strongly to aggressive flocks. Opt for safflower or mealworm feed instead, which smaller birds prefer. Clean feeders weekly and move them away from roofs or vents to reduce nesting opportunities. Installing bird spikes on ledges and maintaining regular roof checks prevents buildup of nest materials. Keep bins sealed and gardens tidy to limit alternative food sources. By combining daily maintenance with seasonal inspection, property owners can reduce the stress and disruption caused by large flocks of starlings, keeping their spaces clean and calm year-round.
Quick Takeaways
Seal vents, eaves, and openings to prevent starling nesting.
Use natural starling repellents like cedar, peppermint, and reflective deterrents.
Remove nests safely under expert guidance to prevent re-entry.
Choose starling-resistant feeders and avoid offering mixed bird food.
Schedule EcoCare’s professional inspection for complete starling control.
Long-Term Starling Control & Prevention
Effective starling control requires patience, consistency, and the right balance of humane deterrents and professional oversight. Combining natural repellents, starling traps, and exclusion techniques ensures infestations are dealt with permanently rather than temporarily. EcoCare PestControl Management’s integrated approach - inspection, treatment, and prevention - offers lasting relief for properties affected by aggressive European starlings. Their eco-conscious, BPCA-certified technicians apply proven strategies to deter starlings, remove nesting sites, and protect structures from contamination and noise. Regular maintenance, the use of starling-proof feeders, and professional follow-ups create stable, bird-safe environments across London. With EcoCare’s expert team on call 24/7, property owners can finally get rid of starlings efficiently, maintaining pest-free surroundings through safe, modern, and environmentally responsible methods.
