Washington State Growers Trap Starlings
Whatcom and Skagit counties in northern Washington have, in
cooperation with dairymen in the area, a USDA trapping/poisoning program for
starlings
that has been somewhat successful. Unfortunately, their Canadian neighbors
don’t have
such a program and flocks of starlings often cross the border into Washington
blueberry
fields.
RE: Pest Management Strategic Plan
for
Oregon and Washington Blueberries
www.ipmcenters.org/pmsp/pdf/ORWABlueberry.pdf
Page 45
(What our neighbours to the south in Washington State are politely saying is,
"Why don't BC blueberry growers do something effective like trapping
starlings?" Trapping is being carried out in the Okanagan, organized by fruit
grower groups. In the Fraser Valley an initiative like this would have
to be spearheaded by a group such as the BC Blueberry Council. All they are
doing currently is perpetuating the use of propane cannons that, at best, move
birds
from one field to the next.)
