Residential Rook Control

Family: Corvidae - Rooks - Lesser Black Backed Gull - Greater black Backed Gull

Rooks are usually seen feeding in flocks often with another member of the Corvid family, the jackdaw, in open fields, or feeding in small groups along a roadside. They will come into town parks and villages but largely keep clear of the center of big towns and cities. There are approx. 1.2 million pairs of breeding pairs in the UK and they can be throughout the UK apart from the North West corner of Scotland. Our native population of rooks receives an influx of visitors from northern Europe and Scandinavia during the winter months before breeding begins at around the beginning of March.

Problems Caused

The major problem caused by rooks is noise. Rooks are extremely social birds that nest high in tree tops in "rookeries", often these rookeries which can be host to thousands of birds. If you live close to a rookery, you will be only too aware of the coarse "kah kah kah" sound that will greet you from 4am in the morning.

Rooks and other members of the Corvid family including jackdaws, crows and magpies also damage property and have been known to attack newborn animals and songbirds

Disease

While it is feasible that rook droppings can spread disease to humans, the likelihood is less than that of say pigeons or seagulls - however, in the case where large amounts faeces has built up, it should be professionally cleaned as soon as possible and measures installed to deter birds from entering the area.

Property Damage

If you are unfortunate enough to have a rookery nearby, you may find you have up to 6000 birds living together, this means that the faeces will defacing buildings, paintwork and vehicles, which, if left untreated can cause irreparable damage to stonework and building facades. They can also foul entrances and pavements, which can become dangerously slippery.

Some members of the corvid family, including rooks, jackdaws and particularly crows will attack cars and rip off windscreen wipers they also pull the putty from around windows as a consequence of their propensity to attach their own reflections.

Residential Rook Control Methods

One of the most effective method of rook and corvid control in a residential environment is by using audio bird dispersal practices that "scare" the rooks.. Preventative net, mesh and spikes may also be deployed to convince the rooks to move along to a more convenient roosting spot. The best time to carry out rook control is before the breeding season starts in March.