Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Evaluation Of Mirrors To Deter Nesting Starlings, Thomas W. Seamans, Charles D. Lovell, Richard A. Dolbeer, Jonathon D. Cepek

USDA Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

European starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) nesting in buildings and other structures can cause health, nuisance, and safety problems. We evaluated effectiveness of flashing lights combined with mirrors, and mirrors alone, as deterrents for starlings nesting in starling nest boxes in northern Ohio, 1998-2000. Each year, 100 nest boxes attached to utility poles were randomly assigned equally among 4 treatments (including untreated boxes): 1998- mirrored (internally placed on the back and 2 side walls of nest boxes), mirrored with red-flashing lights, and mirrored with green-flashing lights; 1999-convex mirror above entrance hole, convex mirror at back of nest box, and flat …