European Starling on a railing – part of the starling removal services by Bobcat Wildlife & Pest Management in Des Moines, IA

WHY IS STARLING CONTROL CRUCIAL?

Starlings multiply fast, and once they choose your home for winter shelter, the mess and noise escalate quickly.

These birds look for warm openings during cold months, which makes vents, soffits, and roof gaps prime targets.

Left alone, starling activity creates constant cleanup, unhealthy droppings, and hidden damage that grows harder to manage over time. Early control prevents the problem from spreading.

1. Ongoing Mess & Droppings

Starling droppings stick to siding, decks, and walkways. The buildup is unsightly, spreads easily in wet weather, and can carry bacteria that affect the health of your home’s environment.

2. Nesting in Vents & Structures

Starlings squeeze into attic vents, dryer lines, and small gaps to escape winter cold. Their nests block airflow, reduce dryer efficiency, and increase the risk of overheating or poor air circulation inside your home.

3. Long-Term Property Damage

Droppings and nesting materials can stain, corrode, and weaken surfaces like paint, metal, and siding. When activity happens near the roofline or in tight spaces, the damage becomes more costly to repair.

If starlings are becoming a problem around your home in Des Moines or nearby Iowa communities, Bobcat Wildlife & Pest Management offers safe and effective removal to clear the mess and prevent new nesting.

Schedule Service today and protect your home from growing damage.

STARLING REMOVAL SERVICES

At Bobcat Wildlife & Pest Management, we do more than chase starlings away. We identify how they get in, remove them safely, and put measures in place so they cannot return. Here is what you can expect when you choose our team.

  • Professional Removal Without Damage

    We remove active starlings using humane, non-invasive methods. Whether they are inside vents, soffits, or small roof gaps, we take them out safely without harming your home.

  • Thorough Inspection of Nesting Areas

    We inspect all common nesting spots, including attic vents, dryer lines, roof openings, and ledges. This helps us find every nest and entry point so nothing is overlooked.

  • Cleanup and Sanitation

    If needed, we remove nesting debris and droppings, then sanitize the area to reduce odors and lower the chance of new bird activity.

  • Exclusion and Deterrent Installation

    After removal, we seal gaps and install discreet deterrents such as vent guards, bird spikes, or screening. These prevent starlings from accessing the same spots again.

  • Customized Prevention Plan

    We create a simple prevention plan based on your home’s layout and past bird activity to help you avoid future nesting.

  • Eco-Friendly and Family-Safe Approach

    All methods are safe for families, pets, and the environment. We avoid toxic chemicals and harsh repellents.

With years of experience handling starling problems across Iowa, Bobcat Wildlife & Pest Management delivers the results you need—with the care and respect your home deserves.

OUR STARLING REMOVAL PROCESS

Evaluation

We perform a focused inspection to locate nests, entry points, and active starling sites. This helps us plan a precise and effective removal strategy.

Intervention

Safe and humane removal methods are used to clear starlings quickly while keeping their stress low and protecting your home from further disruption.

Proactive Measures

We provide clear recommendations on sealing gaps, maintaining vents, and adjusting exterior areas to reduce future starling activity.

At Bobcat Wildlife & Pest Management, our process is designed to remove starlings efficiently and keep them from returning. Every step is handled with accuracy and care to ensure your property stays protected.

WHAT IF IT’S NOT STARLINGS?

If you are dealing with other wildlife or pest issues, Bobcat Wildlife & Pest Management can help with a full range of services designed to keep your home protected.

🦝 Handling Diverse Wildlife
We use safe, humane methods to remove raccoons, squirrels, and other wildlife. Our approach focuses on quick control and preventing animals from returning.

🐜 Insect Troubles? No Problem
Our insect control solutions target common indoor and outdoor pests. We treat the source of the issue and provide guidance to help keep insects from coming back.

🐀 Rodents Running Rampant?
We specialize in fast, effective removal of mice, rats, and other rodents. Our process clears active infestations and helps secure your home against future entry.

HOW TO SPOT STARLING ACTIVITY

Bats nesting in attic space

Starlings are prevalent in various environments, and recognizing signs of their presence is key to effective removal. Look out for these signs:

1. Calls and Movements

Listen for starlings’ loud, warbling calls around crevices, tree cavities, or vents, signaling active nesting throughout the day.

2. Visible Nests

Spot starling nests made of twigs in nooks on buildings, tree branches, or concealed spots like dryer vents and bath fan vents.

3. Dropping Accumulations

Watch for substantial droppings under nesting areas. Persistent accumulation often indicates active nests, especially below vents and overhangs.

MAIN ISSUES

  • Damage of Property

  • Contamination of Property

  • Excessive Feces

Frequently Asked Questions

Starlings search for warm, sheltered spaces when Iowa temperatures drop, making vents, soffits, attic gaps, and roof openings especially appealing. Heated air escaping through these spots creates a safe and comfortable environment where starlings can roost and gather nesting material throughout winter. 

Once they find warmth, they stay active even during freezing days. If a starling has already found an entry point, it will return repeatedly and may bring more birds with it.

Without intervention, this leads to noise, droppings, and blocked vents that get worse as the season continues. Early removal keeps winter activity from turning into full nesting by spring.

Starlings themselves are not aggressive, but the health risks come from their droppings, feathers, and nesting debris. These materials can contain bacteria and fungal particles that become airborne—especially when winter heating systems circulate air through vents connected to nesting sites.

This increases the chances of respiratory irritation for both people and pets. Pets can also come in contact with mites or parasites that live inside starling nests.

When birds nest close to doors, vents, or siding gaps, those pests can spread more easily. Removing starlings early helps maintain cleaner air and reduces indoor contamination risks during closed-window winter months.

Starlings favor tight, enclosed spaces that produce warmth, which is why dryer and bathroom vents are top nesting sites. If the noise you hear is constant chatter, fluttering, or high-pitched calls, it is likely starlings. Their nests also contain twigs, straw, paper, and debris packed tightly inside the vent line.

Other birds like sparrows or pigeons make different sounds and build looser or bulkier nests. A quick inspection—especially during winter when starlings seek heat—helps confirm which species is inside your vent so the correct removal method can be used.

Starling droppings can contain bacteria and fungal spores that pose respiratory risks, particularly when droppings accumulate near vents or doors. In winter, moisture from snow and freezing air often keeps droppings damp, increasing odor and making them difficult to remove safely.

When they dry, particles can become airborne and enter the home through ventilation systems. The buildup can also create slippery surfaces on decks and walkways, especially when mixed with ice.

These areas become both a safety hazard and a health concern. Removing starlings reduces the amount of waste they produce and helps keep your home’s air cleaner.

Starlings are highly site-loyal birds. Once they find a warm, protected entry point, they return year after year to roost and rebuild nests. Any gap that offers heat—like a vent or soffit opening—becomes a reliable winter shelter, so they rarely abandon it on their own.

If the entry point is not sealed, starlings will continue using it no matter how many times the nest is removed. Installing proper exclusion materials prevents them from returning and stops other birds from discovering the same vulnerable spot.

Yes. Dryer vents are one of the most common winter nesting sites for starlings because they constantly release warm air. Nesting material can clog the vent, trap lint, and restrict airflow, which increases the risk of the dryer overheating. Over time, this creates a legitimate fire hazard.

A blocked vent also makes the dryer work harder, leading to longer drying times and potential moisture problems inside the vent line. Removing starlings early protects both your appliance and your home.

Starlings often make loud, repetitive chattering or fluttering sounds, especially during early mornings and late afternoons. If these sounds come from attic corners, soffits, or wall cavities, it usually indicates active nesting or roosting.

Scratching or movement inside walls is also common when birds bring in twigs or shift nesting materials. These noises tend to increase during winter as starlings move closer to warm areas. Hearing these patterns is a strong sign that removal is needed.

Starlings can pull apart loose siding, push through vent screens, and widen gaps around rooflines to make room for nests. During winter, snow and moisture mix with droppings and debris, causing stains and corrosion on siding, soffits, and vent covers. Over time, this makes small openings much larger.

Moisture entering through these gaps can lead to drafts, leaks, or mold growth, especially after freeze-thaw cycles. Addressing the issue early stops damage before it spreads deeper into the structure.

You should schedule removal as soon as you see nest debris, droppings, or hear noise in vents. Winter activity escalates quickly because birds cluster around heat sources. Waiting often leads to deeper nests, blocked vents, and increased contamination around entry points.

Early removal prevents the problem from reaching interior areas and allows exclusion work to be completed before birds return or multiply. Quick action keeps cleanup and repairs simple and much more affordable.

DIY repellents like reflective tape, noise makers, or sprays may work temporarily, but starlings typically adapt—especially during cold months when warm shelter is more important than deterrents. They often return as soon as the repellent loses its effect.

Professional removal is more reliable because it addresses the root cause: access points. Once birds are removed, pros can seal openings and install deterrents that last through Iowa’s winter conditions. DIY steps rarely provide long-term protection on their own.

Warmth, food scraps, and small structural gaps are the main attractants. Homes with open vents, loose siding, or gaps under eaves provide secure roosting spots during Iowa winters. Outdoor feeding areas or nearby trees can also draw them closer.

Once starlings find a warm, dependable shelter, they return daily and often invite more birds to the same area. Proper removal and exclusion reduce these attractants and help prevent a growing winter group.

Most starling removal jobs take one to two visits, depending on how many nests or entry points are found. Cold weather may slow access to certain exterior areas, but trained technicians can still remove nests effectively during winter.

The full process includes inspection, removal, cleanup if needed, and exclusion work. Once those steps are completed, your home stays protected even as winter conditions continue.

Yes. Starlings are persistent and will continue returning to the same opening each winter if it stays accessible. Even tiny gaps are enough for them to squeeze through and begin rebuilding.

Proper exclusion—such as vent guards or screening—is the only way to prevent birds from re-entering. Without sealing the entry, the problem almost always returns.

Starling nests are compact and messy, built from twigs, straw, grass, and debris packed tightly inside enclosed spaces like vents or attic openings. They often create blockages because of how densely they are constructed.

Sparrows build smaller, lighter nests; pigeons create larger, bulkier nests; and swallows build mud nests on exterior walls or under overhangs. Knowing the difference helps determine the right removal process and prevents damage to your home or vent system.

Yes. All starling removal methods are humane, low-stress, and designed to protect both your home and the birds. We avoid harmful chemicals or unsafe techniques, ensuring the process stays family-safe and environmentally responsible.

After removing starlings, we secure entry points and install long-term deterrents to prevent new activity. This approach protects your home through Iowa’s winter season and beyond.

Why Choose Bobcat Wildlife & Pest Control

Proven Expertise

Our team’s accumulated experience in pest management equips us to deliver dependable solutions tailored to resolve your distinct challenges effectively.

Tailored Treatments

Understanding that no two pest issues are alike, we adapt our strategies to align with your particular situation, aiming for precise and successful outcomes.

Commitment to Quality

Quality is more than a standard for us; it’s a pledge. We use top-of-the-line products and cutting-edge techniques to deliver unparalleled results you can trust.

Exceptional Customer Care

Your satisfaction is our ultimate goal. From your initial inquiry to the final treatment, we’re committed to making your experience seamless and satisfactory.

Take Care Of Your Pest Problem Today

We service the entire Des Moines, IA metro area. Contact us today for the safe and efficient removal of your pest problem.

Service Pages Form
Margaret Branwen Dewey
Jared was super helpful, set up traps, and we are looking forward to a raccoon free attic.
Margaret Branwen Dewey, Des Moines, Iowa
Molly Roffman Wosmansky

They do an amazing job with our pest control and keeping all the mosquitos at bay. I really appreciate how caring & respective Gene is towards these animals and rodents…

Molly Roffman Wosmansky, Des Moines, Iowa
Kayla Lynch Engebrecht

Highly recommend this group!!! Within 24 hours of my “something stinks” panic call, one of the techs, Ronnie, was at our place taking care of the animals that found their final resting place in our vents… and patched it up so we wouldn’t have this happen again. On time, efficient, and very knowledgeable!!

Kayla Lynch Engebrecht, Des Moines, Iowa
Cortney Dierks

Thank you so much! We debated calling for a long time. When I finally did Blake came the very next day and trapped the squirrel who was the culprit of the damage. He fixed the damage too! We are so happy we finally called, wish we would have done it sooner! Thanks Blake!

Cortney Dierks, Des Moines, Iowa
Scott Crook

What a great experience Ronnie Hayes came to our place he came to our place assessed that we had a few raccoons in our attic. He even put a trap on the roof and for them out the same day then the relocated them. For a very responsible place.

Scott Crook, Des Moines, Iowa
Sophia O'Brien
Nate with Bobcat Pest was great to work with! I called in about a birds nest removal. He gave the roof a full inspection, cleaned out the nest/dead birds, and returned a week later to patch the hole. Very professional service.
Sophia O'Brien, Des Moines, Iowa
Knowledgeable, careful, and insightful-
I had the opportunity to meet with Nicole Spaulding from Bobcat Wildlife and Pest Management to learn more of what she does and to ask questions about their industry, fearing it affected my own (outdoor aquatic stock growth).
She took the time to share with me the ins-and-outs of her industry, genuinely caring for my concerns, resolving them completely in the end.
Grant Sodders, Des Moines, Iowa
Alison Kanne
Bobcat Wildlife & Pest Management came to my house to deal with a serious bat problem. I have had no issues with bats since they came, and the guy who did the work on my house was thorough and took obvious pride in his work. They are knowledgeable and thorough and don’t take the easy way out. It was clear that they really cared about solving my bat issue and I highly recommend them to anyone with a bat problem.
Alison Kanne, Des Moines, Iowa
Jayson Jones

Highly recommend using this company for any pest control needs and or wildlife issues.

Jayson Jones, Des Moines, Iowa