Pest Birds Hitting Midwest Farms Hard

Midwestern farms are facing a growing and often underestimated threat: pest birds. Species like house sparrows, European starlings, and pigeons are not just a nuisance-they’re actively damaging crops, equipment, and farm infrastructure. For agricultural managers, understanding the problem and taking action now can protect both yields and profits.

Why Pest Birds Are a Serious Problem on Farms

Pest birds thrive in Midwestern agricultural areas because farms provide abundant food, shelter, and nesting sites. Here’s what makes them particularly damaging:

• House Sparrows
  Small, aggressive, and prolific. They invade barns, grain storage areas, and even machinery. Their droppings contaminate feed and water supplies, leading to health risks for livestock.

• European Starlings
  Highly social and adaptable. These birds flock in large numbers, often thousands at a time, causing significant crop loss, contamination in feedlots, and blocked ventilation systems in barns and silos.

• Pigeons
  Urban-adapted, but increasingly common around rural farms. Pigeons roost in barns, silos, and grain elevators, leaving droppings that corrode metal structures and can harbor disease.

The Hidden Costs of Pest Birds

The impact of these birds goes beyond obvious nuisance:

1. Crop Damage – Large flocks can decimate corn, wheat, soybeans, and other high-value crops before harvest.

2. Feed and Grain Contamination – Bird droppings and feathers contaminate stored feed, leading to costly waste and biosecurity concerns.

3. Structural Damage – Acidic droppings corrode metal, wood, and equipment, increasing repair costs.

4. Health Risks – Birds can carry salmonella, E. coli, and fungi that affect both humans and livestock.

5. Operational Disruptions – Nesting and roosting can block ventilation, clog machinery, and slow farm operations.

Integrated Bird Management Strategies for Farms

No single solution will eliminate pest birds entirely, but integrated management can reduce their numbers and protect your farm.

1. Exclusion

• Netting or screening: Cover silos, grain bins, and feed storage areas.

• Physical barriers: Use spikes, ledge guards, and mesh to prevent roosting on barns and rooftops.

2. Sanitation

• Remove spilled grain and feed promptly.

• Secure feed storage to limit bird access.

• Clean up debris around barns and silos to reduce nesting material.

3. Flock-Behavior Tools (e.g., Avitrol)

• Avitrol-treated bait is a professional-grade flock deterrent.

• A small number of treated birds exhibit distress behavior, causing the flock to leave the site naturally.

• Particularly effective against large flocks of starlings and sparrows in feedlots and grain storage areas.

• Must be applied by a licensed pest-control professional following all label instructions.

4. Habitat Modification

• Reduce perching sites by trimming trees near barns and silos.

• Install wires or tension lines over feed areas to discourage landing.

5. Monitoring

• Keep track of bird numbers and behavior.

• Regular inspections allow early intervention, before flocks grow too large.