Check with neighbors before investing in equipment that may be a disturbance to other people. When limited numbers of blackbirds invade orchards or crops other than corn, traps may help. Trap plans can be obtained from Missouri Department of Conservation Wildlife Damage Control Agents. When fruits, vegetables, or other crops in limited areas are attacked by birds, durable plastic netting over the crop will effectively keep birds away. This is economically feasible in small areas supporting high-value crops.
Blackbirds pull sprouting corn and other seeds.
Several seed treatment repellents are registered for protection against this damage. Avitrol Corn Chops-99 is a pesticide registered for protecting standing field and sweet corn against blackbirds. It works on the principle of frightening the flocks by the alarm calls of the few birds that eat the toxic bait. Skilled applicators apply this blackbird pesticide from aircraft, and flights must be well organized with maps, aerial photographs and ground coordination. Timing the application is critical as it must be applied as corn goes into the milk stage, the time when birds first attack the fields.