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European starling against a white background - Keep starlings away from your home with General Pest in Ohio

European Starling

Actual Size: 7.5 to 8.5”

Characteristics: Purplish-green with yellow beaks, brilliant white spots

Habitat: Often nest on top of roofs or inside of buildings.

Habits:

  • Loud and boisterous birds that congregate in large numbers.
  • Aggressive scavengers can quickly destroy gardens and crops.
  • Capable of transmitting several diseases like cryptococcosis, E. coli, and salmonella.

Starlings in Ohio

European starlings are notorious for their loud, rowdy behavior, especially when they settle in urban Ohio neighborhoods. Nesting in large groups near homes, these birds bring more than just noise. Starlings can pose real health risks and create an overwhelming mess for homeowners. Their constant vocalizations and waste can become a nuisance, and their droppings can carry diseases like encephalitis, ornithosis, and histoplasmosis. On top of that, starlings are bold scavengers who don’t think twice about tearing up gardens or destroying crops.

Where Starlings Make Their Home

Starlings are adaptable, thriving in both hot and cold climates, and surprisingly at ease around people. In rural settings, they gather in fields and orchards, while in towns and suburbs, they find nesting spots on ledges, signs, lamp posts, and even in dryer vents and stove ducts. Though they prefer tree cavities or small crevices, they’ll settle for an attic or soffit if their usual spots aren’t available—making them a common and stubborn pest near homes.

Why Starling Control Matters

Starlings don’t just bring noise—they bring property damage. Their droppings are acidic enough to corrode pavement and asphalt, and dried particles can trigger asthma. Starlings are also known carriers of diseases like cryptococcosis, E. coli, and salmonella. When they nest in vents, roofs, or soffits, it can lead to structural damage or even fire hazards. Lawns with turf insects may see thousands of starlings descend, leaving a trail of small holes as they forage for insects.

If you’re dealing with a starling invasion, our licensed bird control company can safely and effectively help remove them from your property.