Controlling with kindness.

The SPCA receives regular reports of bird infestation on buildings, houses and farms and is in the process of assessing several methods that are deemed to be cruel and unacceptable – for humane control the SPCA advises:-

Use exclusion methods – i.e. netting / making areas inaccessible.
Make an area available for birds to rest, drawing them away from the areas they they are not wanted.
Do not leave feed out or feed birds, this draws in more birds.
Remove eggs from the areas to prevent breeding from taking place, if you do not wish annual visits by the feathery creatures. (Only do this after you have checked with your local SPCA and Nature Conservation regarding legality as the birds may be a protected species.)
Place strands of light wire across the perching areas, parallel with each other, not too widely apart, which will prevent the birds from perching.
DO NOT use any poisons, glue or any kind of gels as these cause flight problems and or painful and secondary poisoning.
In the case of farms, cover the crops with netting and plant or leave a separate crop for feeding purposes. This must be well away from the main farming crops to avoid spill over feeding.

Hunting / shooting birds does not solve the problem as others will come to feed / perch. A humane all-encompassing preventative programme must be put in place.

The real cause is breeding and preventative programmes on a national basis should be implemented.