Starlings

• Starlings are an exotic bird species that came to the United States from Europe. To make their homes, they aggressively overtake nests that belong to other birds. Starlings sometimes kill the remaining nestlings. These birds also love to nest in the eaves of your home.
  
  Starlings may be a nuisance, but do not kill them. According to the Ornithology Lab at Cornell University, "Laws vary somewhat across the country, but it's generally not a good idea, and may be illegal, to kill starlings or any other birds." Instead, use a nonlethal approach.
  
  If you have bird feeders outside, remove them. A homemade remedy, as suggested by the Ornithology Lab at Cornell University, for bird removal is a Mylar helium balloon. "The unpredictable movements of helium balloons and the shininess of Mylar often drive birds away...surprisingly often." Another homemade remedy for starling removal is to place mesh over the eaves, but this is much more labor intensive than the Mylar helium balloon method.
  
  

Pigeons

• A pigeon friendly ledge or roof can attract a lot of birds. The subsequent droppings are unsightly, kill landscaping and can contaminate livestock feeding areas. Pigeons carry diseases including toxoplasmosis and salmonella food poisoning.
  
  A home remedy to remove pigeons is to block the entrances where pigeons get in. Close off the area entirely when possible. Where ventilation is required, hardware cloth with holes no more than 1 inch wide can be used over vents, doors and eaves. Another thing you can do is to increase the angle of their favorite ledges. Cut a 4x4 diagonally in half to make a 45 degree wedge, which is an unfriendly angle for pigeons.
  
  

Sound and Plastic Snakes

• Loud noises and plastic snakes may drive away birds. But their effect is usually temporary. You can place a few plastic snakes or mini alligators around the area and it may scare off some birds. Making loud noises using fire crackers or an air horn removes birds. They may become accustomed to the sound if used repeatedly, rendering it ineffective after a period of time.