Crows are highly intelligent birds. They communicate with each other and work collaboratively, remember human faces, can quickly adapt to many situations, use tools, solve complex problems, and even hold grudges. We, humans, are enthralled by their cleverness.
As a result, these birds are revered in all manners of media and pop culture. In some cultures, they are considered symbols of wisdom. Unfortunately, crows can be a real nuisance and aren't the best neighbors. They are disinclined to spare anything from their path if it would fill their stomach. If you are a victim of their destruction, here is how to get rid of crows.
Problems Crows Can Cause
Although crows are admired for their intelligence and adaptability, they can pose several problems in rural and urban settings where they have adapted to living, taking up residence in parks and trees. These birds are almost everywhere, testing the patience of every human trying to live peacefully.
Agricultural Damage
Crows are omnivorous and, by default, opportunistic feeders. They will eat everything and anything they can find. They can eat human food, carrion, small animals, insects, and other birds’ eggs and nestlings. They also eat fruits, vegetables, and nuts, which they are intelligent enough to know are mostly found on farms in rural areas.
These birds can cause significant damage to crops by feasting on freshly sown grains, ripening fruits and vegetables, or any other crops farmers worked so hard to grow. They are especially fond of corn and will destroy entire cornfields in murders.
Urban Annoyance
You may have been a victim of crows’ loud and persistent cawing while trying to get the last precious hour of sleep. When crows come together, they are noisy and bothersome, especially early in the morning or late evening when they are most active or during breeding periods when they call out for mates incessantly. Quality of life may be reduced in residential areas as the noise pollution disrupts relaxation, sleep, and concentration.
Alongside the racket, crows make a mess. These birds are scavengers, and their food search often leads them to wait for humans to bring their trash outside on collection day. They will then rummage through garbage, ripping the bags, and throwing debris all around, which leads to littering and sanitation problems.
Property Damage
Lawn and property damage from crows can be disastrous for those who live in an area with them. These birds peck at grass to look for insects to feed on, leaving holes and uprooted plants. They can also poke holes in roofing and other structures, weakening shingles or tiles while looking for materials to build their nests.
Sometimes, crows build nests in chimneys, gutters, or roofs, causing blockages that lead to water damage or fire risks. They may peck at car paint or windows, mistaking their reflections for rival birds. These damages can lead to significant cleanup and repair costs.
Health Concerns
Crow feces may expose humans to hazards because they may contain histoplasmosis-causing bacteria and parasites. The bacteria and parasites thrive in the droppings and soil. When dired droppings break apart, they become airborne spores. Inhaling them may lead to flu-like symptoms, including fever, cough, and fatigue. Though rare, severe cases cause lung or systemic infections, especially in immunosuppressed people.
When crows congregate in large numbers, the risk to your health increases since more crows means more droppings. The droppings bring about filthy conditions, which further encourage the proliferation of bacteria and fungi, increasing health risks. Regular cleanup by wetting the dried droppings first can help mitigate these risks.
Aggressive Behavior
During nesting season, crows exhibit aggressive behavior to protect their young. They become highly territorial and protective of their nests. As a result, they swoop down and peck aggressively at pets or humans who inadvertently come close to their nests, perceiving them as threats. This aggression can cause scratches or cuts and frighten children.
However, the biggest problem is the crow’s excellent memory. They will remember people who were unkind to them and spread the word to others about it, potentially leading to persistent harassment. This territorial aggression disrupts outdoor activities and raises safety concerns.
How to Get Rid of Crows
Although scarecrows can scare these birds away, a single scarecrow is ineffective, while erecting multiple is not practical. Here are some actionable tips that you can use to keep this black-feathered pest away.
1. Hang Decoys
The theory behind decoys is the same as using scarecrows. You can use decoy predators, like humans, fake horned owls, snakes, or hawks, to scare them away. Alternatively, you can string fake dead crows upside down around your property that look like they were hunted to warn the birds to stay away from the area.
Unfortunately, decoys will only deter the crows for a short while. Remember, crows are smarter than the average bird and will quickly learn that the stationary objects are fake and do not pose a threat. For maximum effectiveness, you should move these objects around frequently. This technique will also prevent habituation in different areas away from the decoys.
2. Store Trash Securely
Crows have excellent memory, which they use to remember places with abundant food. If crows have been visiting your house lately, it may be because of potential food sources you are unaware of, like a garbage can. To get rid of the crows, use a garbage can with a tight lid and keep it in a secure area.
Crows can rip plastic trash bags and rummage through your trash if they are uncovered. The can should not be overfilled as crows can access the trash and ensure it is steady enough not to be knocked over. Once a crow finds a food source, it will return daily to forage, so it is important to keep trash completely secure.
A non-lethal solution is to use reflective objects. Crows hate shiny, moving, reflective surfaces, as they may look like weapons or predators. CDs, disposable aluminum pans, bird tape, or mylar balloons are great options for homeowners to trick crows into believing there is a genuine threat. Hange these objects on poles, from wash lines or trees throughout your property.
You can also engage the crow’s audio senses by using CDs or pans that clang together in the wind. The loud sound will scare the crows away. Move the location of your objects periodically to keep the crows from overcoming them as a threat.
4. Find Out What Sounds Crows Hate
Crows will respond negatively to the distress calls of other crows or the cries of predator birds like owls and raptors. These serve as a warning and signal danger. You can use Bluetooth speakers to play these sounds near the areas where crows tend to congregate.
Crows also do not like loud sounds such as explosions, loud banging, and firecrackers. These options, however effective, may be impractical for people in urban settings. You may need to check local noise ordinances to determine if these objects are permitted in your area, and if they are, let close neighbors in on your noisy battle plan.
5. Remove Nesting Areas
Crows prefer to nest in evergreen trees near the top third or quarter of the tree. If you have such trees in your home and notice them flocking to these trees, you should destroy the nests as soon as they are built before the mother crow can lay her eggs if you see one.
Crows also build nests in rooftops, gutters, ledges, or other high spots. Check these areas, as early detection is key. Destroy the nests, if any, and then block access to potential nesting sites with bird netting or spikes. Avoid touching the nests if there are eggs. Crows are aggressive and will attack you.
6. Try Bird Netting
Although crows are beneficial in gardens because they eat insects and grubs, the consequences outweigh the benefits, so it is better to chase them away. These birds not only eat the pests but also decimate crops, reducing yield and rendering your efforts useless. You should cover these plants with bird netting if you want to enjoy growing tasty fruits and vegetables.
Purchase a four-inch net from your local hardware store. The net will keep the crows out because they may have learned they can get tangled and injure themselves. Before your fruit ripens, drape the net on the crops or suspend it above with a frame built around the garden. Ensure the net is secure. Otherwise, the crows can access the crops.
7. Provide An Alternative Food Source
You can provide an alternative, more attractive food source to lure the crows away if the bird netting is not protecting your crops as effectively as you would like. These intelligent birds are more likely to choose an easily obtainable and palatable food over crops requiring more effort, like ones covered in netting.
Crows love softened corn, and if you spread whole corn soaked in water across an area in your garden, the birds will divert their attention away from the newly planted corn seedlings. This technique will protect the vulnerable seedlings and reduce the need for harmful interventions.
8. Cover Compost Bin
Composting is a sustainable way to reuse leftover food. However, if the compost bins are left open, you are inviting the crows for a feast. These birds are not picky and will eat anything, even the moldy pizza crust. Cover your compost if you want to compost food without attracting crows.
Also, secure the compost bin so it will not get knocked over. You use lids with heavy chains, rope, bungee cords, or weights. To prevent tipping, try securing the bin's side handles to sturdy metal or wooden stakes driven into the ground. If possible, only compost yard waste, which does not interest crows.
9. Use Smaller Bird Feeders
Swap out your large bird feeders with smaller ones that make it difficult for a crow to land on and steal food. When shopping for a bird feeder, opt for a smaller one with small cages or a dome-shaped top designed to deter crows. You may also invest in a bird feeder that automatically closes when birds of larger weights try to feed.
Additionally, consider changing the location of your bird feeders regularly, so crows will not automatically know where to find them. A common concern is that other small birds may have to look for the bird feeder. However, rest assured that it will not take them long to find their feeders again.
10. Install Crow-Proof Nest Boxes
If there are bird nests around your property, crows will prey on the hatchlings of the smaller birds, especially if they discover an unprotected nest box. These intelligent birds can remember the location of a nest box and return yearly if they successfully retrieve hatchlings.
To prevent this, ensure the nest boxes have proper safeguards. The box should be at least 6 inches deep from the entrance hole to the bottom to make it harder for crows to reach inside. Additionally, remove any perch or ledge below the entrance hole to eliminate a resting spot for the crow and reduce the chance of it waiting for a hatchling to emerge.
11. Apply Transparent Bird Gel
Available at hardware stores and online, bird gel is a practical, non-toxic solution for deterring crows and other birds from settling in your yard. The gel creates a sticky surface that birds find uncomfortable to land or perch on, effectively discouraging them from returning.
Spread the gel in thin lines on areas where birds frequently land or attempt to build nests. For long-term effectiveness, reapply every few months, especially after heavy rain or direct sunlight exposure. Unlike bird spikes or netting, which can be visually intrusive, bird gel is nearly invisible. It does not disrupt the natural look of windows or trees.
12. Trim Dead Branches from Trees
Crows gather in groups and love to roost at the top of tall, thick trees. If you trim, thin, or remove the tall trees in your yard near gardens and food sources, the crows may have to find leafless branches elsewhere to converge on.
But before you tend to any trees, know what you are dealing with. You cannot remove street trees. All you can do is thin the side branches. Also, before you thin out or remove any trees, consult a licensed, professional arborist to ensure you do not break any law. They can also help you ensure your trees look good after their haircuts.
13. Install Bird Spikes
You can also prevent crows from hanging around on fences, roofs, and ledges with the help of bird spikes. They will not harm crows and only act as visual deterrents they know they cannot land on. These things come in strips or bunches and can be installed without much complications to deter birds permanently.
To install bird spikes as a way to keep birds from around your house, you can attach them with either small screws or adhesive, depending on the brand instructions. The spikes may be affixed to any flat surface, especially near bird feeders. However, the downside is the lack of aesthetic appeal, as these bird spikes resemble large porcupine-like needles.
14. Reduce Outdoor Lighting
Crows congregate near bright lights at night since they feel more secure and protected from predators than in dark spaces. Additionally, the brightness allows them to spot potential threats. As a result, they will roost in well-lit residential areas, resulting in noise pollution and sanitation problems. Therefore, reducing outdoor lighting makes your space less appealing.
You can dim or turn off unnecessary lighting, use motion-activated lights, or switch to red-colored bulbs that crows find less attractive to discourage them from roosting in your area. These adjustments disturb their comfort without harm, encouraging them to roost somewhere else while maintaining a peaceful and clean environment.
15. Non-toxic Chemical Bird Repellents
These bird repellents typically contain methyl anthranilate, an organic compound derived from grapes that overstimulates the taste and olfactory receptors of birds without affecting humans, plants, and animals. Spraying these repellents on crops will keep away the crows.
It is essential to follow the manufacturer’s instructions to ensure the right concentration and application method for your specific needs. Reapplication may be necessary after rain or over time to maintain effectiveness. Additionally, always check local wildlife regulations before using these products, as laws may restrict their use in certain areas or during specific times of the year.
