How To Get Rid Of Crows: 15 Steps (with Pictures) - WikiHow

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Terms of Use wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Learn why people trust wikiHow How to Get Rid of Crows PDF download Download Article Co-authored by Andrew Carberry, MPH

Last Updated: March 13, 2025 Approved

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  • Creating an Unfavorable Space
    • |
  • Eliminating Nesting Areas
    • |
  • Scaring Away Crows
    • |
  • Video
    • |
  • Expert Q&A
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  • Tips
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  • Warnings
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This article was co-authored by Andrew Carberry, MPH. Andrew Carberry is a Food Systems Expert and the Senior Program Associate at the Wallace Center at Winrock International in Little Rock, Arkansas. He has worked in food systems since 2008 and has experience working on farm-to-school projects, food safety programs, and working with local and state coalitions in Arkansas. He is a graduate of the College of William and Mary and holds a Masters degree in public health and nutrition from the University of Tennessee. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. In this case, several readers have written to tell us that this article was helpful to them, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 667,574 times.

Crows are extremely intelligent and resourceful birds though some people see them as a nuisance. They are adept birds that can quickly learn new skills such as opening a bag to get food and fashion tools out of twigs and leaves. Crows are social birds that move around and forage in families, so when you see one crow, there are probably more nearby. Due to the intelligence of crows, getting rid of them can be a challenge and requires repeating multiple methods as well as keeping your space unfavorable for crows.

Steps

Part 1 Part 1 of 3:

Creating an Unfavorable Space

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  1. Step 1 Store trash securely where it cannot be accessed by crows. 1 Store trash securely where it cannot be accessed by crows. Crows can easily rip into a plastic trash bag to start rummaging through your trash. Make sure your container is not overfilled as crows can get into the trash if a small part of the bag is showing. Look to get a container that has a locked lid. Once a crow finds a source of food, it will be back daily to forage, so it is important to always keep trash completely secure.
    • Cover and lock all trashcans.
    • Secure the handles to stakes stuck in the ground to prevent bins from being knocked over.
  2. Step 2 Cover and contain all compost. 2 Cover and contain all compost. Crows are omnivores and will eat any food scraps they happen upon. It is important to make sure all food scraps are securely contained. Composting is a great sustainable way to get rid of leftover food, however open compost is very inviting to a crow. To compost food without attracting crows, make sure you cover your compost or keep it contained in a bin. You can compost yard waste without attracting crows. Advertisement
  3. Step 3 Protect your garden. 3 Protect your garden. Although crows can be beneficial to gardens because they eat insects and grubs, sometimes they will help themselves to your crops as well. Place a flexible bird net over your crops purchased from your local garden or hardware store. A four inch net will keep the crows out but still give smaller birds access to the insects in your garden. Before your fruit starts to ripen, drape the net on the crops or suspend it above the crops with a frame built around the garden. Make sure the net is secure to ensure it will keep the crows out. You can also put this netting over fruit trees and bushes.
  4. Step 4 Use bird feeders that exclude large birds. 4 Use bird feeders that exclude large birds. Invest in a bird feeder that automatically closes when birds of larger weights try to feed. You might also try using a feeder with a wire mesh that excludes crows but lets smaller birds in. Clean up any spillage each day to prevent crows from foraging around the feeder.
  5. Step 5 Install crow-proof nest boxes. 5 Install crow-proof nest boxes. Crows will sometimes eat the hatchlings of other, smaller birds. If a crow finds a nest box that it can get a hatchling out of, it will return every year to do the same.[1]
    • Make sure all of your nest boxes are over 6 inches (15.2 cm) deep from the hole to the bottom of the box.
    • Remove the perch or ledge under the hole of a nest box so that the crow doesn’t have a place to stand and wait for a hatchling to poke its head out.
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Part 2 Part 2 of 3:

Eliminating Nesting Areas

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  1. Step 1 Trim dead branches from trees. 1 Trim dead branches from trees. Crows gather in groups and will look for open spaces to roost. Removing dead branches prevents large numbers of crows from converging on the leafless branch.
  2. Step 2 Install bird spikes on roof lines or fences. 2 Install bird spikes on roof lines or fences. Bird spikes come in strips or bunches and can be easily installed as a permanent way to deter birds from landing. Bird spikes remove areas where crows can land by preventing them from being able to find footing.
  3. Step 3 Use transparent bird gel on branches and other roosting areas. 3 Use transparent bird gel on branches and other roosting areas. You can purchase bird gels from a local hardware store or online. Bird gel is a non-toxic sticky substance that does not disrupt the natural look of windows or trees like bird spikes. The sticky gel makes the surface uncomfortable to crows and will prevent the from establishing your yard as a nesting site.
  4. Step 4 Reduce outdoor lighting. 4 Reduce outdoor lighting. Crows tend to congregate in well lit areas at night. Reducing your outdoor lighting will help make your space less attractive to crows.[2]
  5. Step 5 Address the arriving crows early in the winter. 5 Address the arriving crows early in the winter. Crows are migratory birds and typically choose roosting grounds in early winter. Disrupt their habits by addressing the birds as soon as they arrive so they don't take up residence with you all winter.[3]
  6. Step 6 Disrupt the crows right before dusk. 6 Disrupt the crows right before dusk. Scaring crows away in the evening helps prevent them from spending the night in your yard. A crow will look for a safe place to spend the evening, and by scaring them right before it gets dark, they are likely to look elsewhere.
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Part 3 Part 3 of 3:

Scaring Away Crows

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  1. Step 1 Use fake animals to deter crows. 1 Use fake animals to deter crows. String fake crows from a Halloween store upside down with their wings out. Crows will avoid the fake dead crows. You can try using fake horned owls or snakes, but these will only deter the crows for a short while. Crows will even learn the patterns of animatronic animals and recognize that they aren’t real eventually.
  2. Step 2 Shine a laser beam at the crows. 2 Shine a laser beam at the crows. Laser lights can disturb crows from their roosts temporarily; however, the crows may return a short time later[4] . It is thought that after continuous harassment, the crows will eventually avoid the area all together.
  3. Step 3 Scare crows away with reflective objects around your property. 3 Scare crows away with reflective objects around your property. Crows can be frightened by moving shiny objects. You can find bird tape that is designed as a visual deterrent to crows. Hang shiny streamers on poles throughout your yard, or make a fence around your property by twisting the tape together and stringing it between poles along the perimeter. Move the location of your streamers periodically to keep the crows from overcoming them as a threat. Other reflective ideas to try:
    • Reflective tape
    • Old CDs hung vertically on a string.
    • Aluminum pie pans. Adding anything shiny to your yard will help to deter the crows.
  4. Step 4 Use loud noises to frighten crows away. 4 Use loud noises to frighten crows away. Crows do not like loud sounds such as explosions, loud banging, and alarms; these options, however effective, may be impractical for people in urban settings. Each time you see the crows, make the noise to train them to stay away. Playing a recorded audio of crow predators or crow distress calls can also help keep them away. You can find audio of crow sound deterrents available online at bird control companies. Try these noisemakers to keep the crows away:
    • Firecrackers
    • Recordings of crow distress calls
    • Recordings of crow predators such as owls and hawks
    • Air horns
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question Will these methods also keep away the birds that I want to come to the feeders? Andrew Carberry, MPH Andrew Carberry, MPH Food Systems and Gardening Expert Andrew Carberry is a Food Systems Expert and the Senior Program Associate at the Wallace Center at Winrock International in Little Rock, Arkansas. He has worked in food systems since 2008 and has experience working on farm-to-school projects, food safety programs, and working with local and state coalitions in Arkansas. He is a graduate of the College of William and Mary and holds a Masters degree in public health and nutrition from the University of Tennessee. Andrew Carberry, MPH Andrew Carberry, MPH Food Systems and Gardening Expert Expert Answer Try investing in crow-proof bird feeders. Once the crows realize they can't get to the food, they may move on. Other birds will still come to feed. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 12 Helpful 27
  • Question Can you get a crow away without scaring it? Andrew Carberry, MPH Andrew Carberry, MPH Food Systems and Gardening Expert Andrew Carberry is a Food Systems Expert and the Senior Program Associate at the Wallace Center at Winrock International in Little Rock, Arkansas. He has worked in food systems since 2008 and has experience working on farm-to-school projects, food safety programs, and working with local and state coalitions in Arkansas. He is a graduate of the College of William and Mary and holds a Masters degree in public health and nutrition from the University of Tennessee. Andrew Carberry, MPH Andrew Carberry, MPH Food Systems and Gardening Expert Expert Answer Yes. Simply remove all potential food sources and roosts, so that the crows don't have reason to come to your property. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 26 Helpful 14
  • Question Can crows eat tomatoes from my garden? Community Answer Community Answer Yes. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 10 Helpful 30
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Video

Tips

  • If you have a place where you don't mind crows roosting, leave tall trees with dead branches for them to roost in. This will keep them away from the places you are protecting. Thanks Helpful 4 Not Helpful 0
  • Talk to your local Audubon chapter or wildlife center to find out more information about your local crow population. Thanks Helpful 5 Not Helpful 2
  • Make your yard an unfavorable environment before crows arrive to ensure you will not have a problem with them. Thanks Helpful 2 Not Helpful 1
Show More Tips

Tips from our Readers

The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.
  • Crows are very smart, and they scare away smaller animals that compete with them for food. To keep noise to a minimum, set up a food station in your backyard with enough food to feed all the animals. I like to offer them Eggo waffles or roasted peanuts!
  • Crows do not like loud sounds, so purchase an alarm that constantly makes noise and put it in your backyard.
  • Throw water on the crows to scare them away.
Submit a Tip All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published Name Please provide your name and last initial Submit Thanks for submitting a tip for review! Advertisement

Warnings

  • In most places it is illegal to shoot crows, so if you are planning on shooting them you should check with the local authorities to make sure it is okay. Thanks Helpful 8 Not Helpful 5
  • Most fake animals will only work to deter crows for a limited time. Once the crow learns the animal is not real, it will not be scared anymore. Thanks Helpful 7 Not Helpful 4
  • There are products out there that claim to scare crows away using ultrasonic sound waves. Birds are not sensitive to ultrasonic sound waves so this will not work as a deterrent. Thanks Helpful 3 Not Helpful 2
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References

  1. ↑ http://www.almanac.com/content/crows
  2. ↑ http://www.maine.gov/dacf/php/gotpests/othercritters/factsheets/crows-humanesociety.pdf
  3. ↑ http://extension.psu.edu/natural-resources/wildlife/wildlife-nuisance-and-damage/birds/managing-urban-crow-roosts-in-pennsylvania-and-the-northeast
  4. ↑ http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1461&context=icwdm_usdanwrc&sei-redir=1&referer=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2Furl%3Fsa%3Dt%26rct%3Dj%26q%3Dlaser%2Bcrows%26source%3Dweb%26cd%3D2%26ved%3D0CC0QFjAB%26url%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fdigitalcommons.unl.edu%252Fcgi%252Fviewcontent.cgi%253Farticle%253D1461%2526context%253Dicwdm_usdanwrc%26ei%3D0NtFT6vrL5SEtgfsg8CACA%26usg%3DAFQjCNGKSZXOKPZsp6hF4I9NekBusDNm0g%26sig2%3D1_fv8Hx1AXyhBUa0_zWN4A#search=%22laser%20crows%22

About This Article

Andrew Carberry, MPH Co-authored by: Andrew Carberry, MPH Food Systems and Gardening Expert This article was co-authored by Andrew Carberry, MPH. Andrew Carberry is a Food Systems Expert and the Senior Program Associate at the Wallace Center at Winrock International in Little Rock, Arkansas. He has worked in food systems since 2008 and has experience working on farm-to-school projects, food safety programs, and working with local and state coalitions in Arkansas. He is a graduate of the College of William and Mary and holds a Masters degree in public health and nutrition from the University of Tennessee. This article has been viewed 667,574 times. 25 votes - 72% Co-authors: 32 Updated: March 13, 2025 Views: 667,574 Categories: Garden Pests and Weeds Article SummaryX

To get rid of crows, start by keeping all of your trash secured and compost bins covered so that the old food doesn’t attract the birds. Then, trim your trees of any dead branches that crows like to gather on. Also, reduce outdoor lighting around your home at night, since crows are drawn to well-lit areas. If these things don’t deter crows, scare them away by hanging reflective tape or a fake horned owl in your yard. For tips from our Gardening reviewer on how to keep crows away from your bird feeders, read on! Did this summary help you?YesNo

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Reader Success Stories

  • Stephen Zimmerman

    Stephen Zimmerman

    Jun 27, 2016

    "Based on how loud they are, I wouldn't have guessed they were so smart. Bad news for me though; I thought a..." more
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Did this article help you?

Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Andrew Carberry, MPH Co-authored by: Andrew Carberry, MPH Food Systems and Gardening Expert 25 votes - 72% Click a star to vote Co-authors: 32 Updated: March 13, 2025 Views: 667,574 Stephen Zimmerman

Stephen Zimmerman

Jun 27, 2016

"Based on how loud they are, I wouldn't have guessed they were so smart. Bad news for me though; I thought a..." more Rick Papin

Rick Papin

Jul 6, 2016

"Knowing that crows will recognize inanimate deterrents is helpful. I started using a water cannon about a month..." more Muddaththir Nadhir

Muddaththir Nadhir

Nov 24, 2018

"Crows have become a big obstacle in the way of our little birds foraging land-patches in Lahore, Pakistan. This..." more Susan Smith

Susan Smith

May 24, 2017

"Good ideas I hadn't heard of. Will darn sure try a few of them. I don't want to harm the pests, just send..." more Jenny A.

Jenny A.

May 5, 2023

"I have a crow that has decided my yard is the place to be, and was always leaving disgusting animal parts in my..." more Share yours! More success stories Hide success stories

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