Thousands of starlings will be killed this year up and down the Okanagan for at least another three years to control this specie that damages so much fruit.

Local governments throughout the valley this week will be asked to give financial support for a control program.

$115,000 is spent each year to trap and gas starlings across the Okanagan, with an estimated 60,000 of the birds killed each year.

Taxpayers pay through regional districts, but funding is also provided by the BCFGA, the Okanagan Kootenay Cherry Growers’ Association, and the B.C. Grapegrowers Association.

Starlings are estimated to cause four million dollars in damages annually to Okanagan vineyards and orchards.

Most trapping operations are conducted near feedlots and other cattle operations, where large flocks of starlings gather.

Starlings were introduced to North America in 1890 and this invasive specie first showed up in the Okanagan in the 1950s.

“This species is now firmly established across the entire continent and are one of the most common and widespread birds in North America.