Of all the pests you encounter, birds are often the biggest nuisance and the hardest to rid yourself of. Birds can be noisy, squawking early in the morning until you want to go out and shake the tree they’re in. Other ones are messy, dropping their feces all over your car, the windows of your home or your yard. Sometimes larger birds may feel threatening around your pets and children. If you aren’t careful, they can even take up residence in your attic.

So what’s the best way to get rid of them then? This is where things get complicated, not just logistically, but legally. In 1918, the United States signed an agreement with the United Kingdom, negotiating for its colony Canada, that protected migratory birds so the trade in their feathers wouldn’t cause more extinctions. The Migratory Bird Treaty Act now makes it a federal crime to hunt, trap or kill the vast majority of birds you come in contact with. You can’t even move their nests or touch their eggs!

Non-native pest species:

There are a couple exceptions to this rule. One is that it is legal to remove and trap species that are considered invasive that are not from North America. The most common examples of this are pigeons, starlings and sparrows. These three species are very common and multiply quickly. They have even adapted to urban areas and are seen almost like rodents in places like New York City. Here in North Carolina we have all three in large numbers, as well.

If you are very confident that the bird you see is one of these species, you can attempt to remove it, but keep in mind these are very dirty animals. They are known to carry diseases like West Nile Virus and salmonella, so it’s probably wise to contact a Raleigh pest control company instead.  

Game birds:

Another exception is that while the treaty protected 800 species of bird, it set aside around 170 as game birds. These birds are ones that you would typically think of for hunting. Swan, geese, ducks, turkey, grouse and a few other of these species are present in North Carolina and the Raleigh area around the Triangle. If the bird is a game bird, you may be able to remove it or hunt them with proper permitting. Regulations still exist even for these birds, though, so make sure you know what you’re doing.

For any other bird, special licenses need to be obtained in order to remove any that have become a nuisance. Birds that are inside your home can be trapped legally and removed but not killed. If you are having trouble with birds on your property and need guidance on your potential options, give Critter Control a call and we will be happy to help.