Eastern Wildlife Damage Control Conferences
Date of this Version
September 1989
Abstract
During the winters of 1987-88 and 1988-89 a study was conducted to evaluate the potential of DRC-1339 baiting for controlling roosting European Starlings (Sturnus vulgarus) at Tennessee Eastman Company's chemical manufacturing plant in Kingsport, Tennessee. In 1987-88 Starlicide Complete® (1 %, DRC-1339 treated poultry pellets diluted 1:9 with untreated poultry pellets) was used in pre-roosting congregating areas adjacent to the roost. In 1988-89 Starlicide Complete® and DRC-1339 treated bread were used in bait containers placed in the roosting structure. Although 90 lbs of Starlicide Complete® was consumed during 1987-88, bait consumption was sporadic and no appreciable change in the starling population was observed. In 1983-89 baiting in the roosting structure, particularly with bread bait, appeared to provide a more consistent pattern of bait consumption and resulted in a pronounced reduction of the roosting starling population. Overall, DRC-1339 baiting appears to have potential for safely and effectively controlling roosting starlings in industrial sites where few alternatives presently exist.