Numerous dead starlings not a cause for concern - WQOW TV: Eau Claire, WI NEWS18 News, Weather, and Sports

LADYSMITH - Residents around Ladysmith are being told not to be concerned if they notice any dead starlings today.

USDA Wildlife Services set out Tuesday to kill about 500 of the birds that had infiltrated a farmer's barn.

Starlings are a non-native invasive species. They eat livestock feed, and can transmit e-coli and salmonella to the animals.

After first putting out a tastier feed to attract the birds, the USDA put out feed mixed with pesticides.

We're told it was monitored to make sure no other animals or birds got into it. As for the hundreds of starlings that were killed, they were picked up today.

Even if another animal had eaten a poisoned starling, the USDA says there's little risk because the birds metabolize the pesticide quickly.