Starlings pose significant risk to property and can cause severe health hazards, especially in farming communities:

Property Damage

Fire hazards: Starlings like to nest in homes and other buildings, and often return to old nesting sites, year after year. Unlike other birds, starlings do not remove old nesting material, which can create significant fire hazards.

Water damage: Nests can clog drainage pipes and gutters, leading to backup and significant water damage.

Structural damage: Uric acid in feces can corrode metal, masonry and stone if starling droppings are allowed to accumulate.

Health and Safety Risks

Disease: Histoplasmosis, a fungal respiratory disease, can be caused by bacteria, fungal agents and parasites in the bird’s feces. In extreme cases, this disease can cause blindness and even death.

Airports: These birds can be pulled into jet engines, resulting in damage and injury to humans.

Livestock: Starlings may transfer the gastroenteritis virus (TGE), as well as other diseases, between livestock facilities. Hog farms are at an especially high risk.