Pest Control for Crows and Magpies in Lancashire and Greater Manchester

Crows and magpies (part of the Corvid family) are highly intelligent birds — but when they become a nuisance, they can be incredibly difficult to manage. If you’re struggling with persistent corvid activity around your home, business, or land, I offer effective and legal control solutions across Lancashire and Greater Manchester.

Whether it’s noisy roosting, aggressive behaviour during nesting season, or damage to crops and waste facilities, I can advise you on how to remove crows and how to get rid of magpies safely and in line with current wildlife protection laws.

How to Remove Crows: When is Pest Control Necessary?

Crows often gather in large numbers, especially near waste disposal sites, schools, and farmland. Problems commonly include:

• Noise and disturbance, especially during early mornings

• Nesting in chimneys, roofs, or trees close to buildings

• Aggressive behaviour towards people, pets, or livestock

• Scavenging in bins, leading to litter and hygiene issues

• Crop damage or fouling on vehicles and property

How to remove crows depends on the situation. I will assess the problem and advise the most appropriate method — whether that’s a physical crow deterrent, a humane crow repellant, or licensed population control.

Crow Deterrents and Repellants

Due to their intelligence, crows quickly adapt to many basic deterrents — but with the right strategy, they can be effectively discouraged.

Some of the crow deterrents and repellants I may recommend include:

• Laser devices or audio deterrents for agricultural or industrial areas

• Spikes or netting to prevent roosting and nesting on buildings

• Visual deterrents, such as hawk kites or decoy predators

• Behavioural control, including modifying feeding patterns and habitat

I also provide expert guidance to businesses such as landfills, waste transfer sites, and recycling centres — places where crows and magpies often cause the most disruption.

How to Get Rid of Magpies: Practical Advice

Magpies are opportunistic scavengers that can become aggressive during breeding season. Like crows, they can raid bins, attack other birds, and make loud, persistent calls. If you’re wondering how to get rid of magpies on your land or property, I’ll start with a survey to understand:

• Nesting and roosting locations

• Food sources encouraging them

• Nearby environmental factors

Once I’ve assessed the issue, I can recommend and install an effective magpie deterrent. These could include netting, spikes, or humane visual repellents. As with all wildlife work, any control is carried out strictly under the conditions of the relevant General Licence and UK law.

Are Crows and Magpies Protected?

Yes — all wild birds, including crows and magpies, are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. However, licensed pest controllers like myself are permitted to carry out specific forms of control under the General Licence, but only where there’s a clear risk to public health, safety, or serious damage to property or crops.

That’s why it’s important to consult a professional before taking action — especially if you’re considering traps, repellants, or any lethal methods.

Need Help with Crows or Magpie Removal? Contact Me for Advice

Whether you’re dealing with a small roost of noisy magpies or a major crow problem at your commercial site, I can help. With extensive experience in bird control and a detailed understanding of the law, I’ll recommend the right solution for your problem — without breaking the bank or breaking the rules.

Call Ian Smith Pest Control on 07821 318954 for advice. We also offer free quotes for crow and magpie deterrents in Lancashire and Greater Manchester. If you prefer, you can send us a message using our online contact form for a quick response.