Because crows are able to thrive just about anywhere, they often end up visiting and living in yards. They build their nests in nearby trees, scavenge food from trash cans and gardens, and store excess food in the grass or rain gutters.

Large numbers of crows can overwhelm an area with noise and harass both people and other animals. The pests generate voluminous droppings and odor and create health risks. Flocks spread diseases like gastroenteritis and avian cholera, with their scavenging habits increasing the risk of transmission. Roosts can also be home to mold that causes histoplasmosis, which infects people who breathe in spores.

Crows also exhibit peculiar habits that can disturb and annoy homeowners. They sometimes leave dead animals in birdbaths and other standing water to soak up fluid that can be carried back to the flock. Crow parents become aggressive toward people who unknowingly get too close to their nests in late spring and early summer, when babies are just beginning to venture out. There have been reports of crows tearing off the windshield wiper blades from parked cars, as well.

In general, exclusion isn’t effective against crows, but there are some things property owners can try. Keep garbage bins securely lidded at all times, don’t leave pet food outside, and only use birdfeeders specially made for smaller species. To preserve backyard gardens, cover certain plants and small areas with plastic netting to keep crows out.

Getting crows to flee a given area is often a losing proposition for novices. The birds are not easy to fool, and something that works for a day or two can quickly become ineffective. Homeowners find themselves having to always stay one step ahead the crows, which becomes tiring and discouraging. The easiest, surest way to rid a yard of crows is to call the wildlife removal experts at Trutech. They have the animal control expertise to safely remove the pests for good.