USDA APHIS Pigeon Control Program in Elkins

USDA APHIS Pigeon Control Program for the City of Elkins

The City of Elkins has recently renewed its contract with the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). The purpose of this contract is to help manage feral pigeon populations within the City’s limits. These birds can damage buildings and pose public health and safety risks.

APHIS uses both non-lethal (traps) and lethal (avicide) methods. The use of avicide is strictly regulated. Any use of avicides is only applied with approval from the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (DNR) and in compliance with all federal environmental and wildlife laws. After each application, APHIS is required to collect and safely dispose of all pigeon remains by sunrise the next day.

The contract for this service will not exceed $2,699 for Fiscal Year 2026.

Background

Elkins has used APHIS for pigeon control for many years—since at least 1999. The original reasons for starting this program aren’t fully known today, but the problem was considered serious enough for the City of Elkins to act at that time. Since then, downtown business owners have sometimes voiced concerns when the program was paused.

About USDA APHIS

APHIS is a federal agency that handles wildlife damage, animal and plant health, and related concerns. They work nationwide to protect communities, agriculture, public safety, and the environment.

Key Points

• The city lacks in-house wildlife management experts and has long relied on the APHIS program for this work.
• APHIS ensures all its actions follow federal environmental laws, including the National Environmental Policy Act and the Endangered Species Act
• All activity must also be pre-approved by the West Virginia DNR.
• Methods used include trapping, with regular checks to ensure humane treatment; and the use of an avicide (DRC-1339), which the USDA uses under the strictest controls.
• Carcasses must be recovered before sunrise and disposed of by “deep burial.”

• The only constituency within Elkins that has ever previously expressed an opinion on this topic has been downtown business owners expressing frustration in the years when the city has not renewed or was late renewing the contract.

Looking Ahead

Some people say pigeons aren’t currently a big problem, but APHIS has likely kept numbers low through ongoing control efforts. While no one wants to harm animals unnecessarily, APHIS is a reputable agency in this field and follows strict guidelines.

If residents of Elkins have ideas for non-lethal alternatives, the city is open to reviewing them. Proposals should be realistic, well-researched, and submitted well before spring 2026 to allow time for careful review before the next contract renewal.