January 30, 2013

They’re everywhere – big, black and noisy. This newshound has seen more than her fair share of crows this winter and they’re beginning to caw-caw-cost her some serious sleep time on the weekends.

If you’re noticing a bigger presence of crows this winter, you’re not alone. According to the Missouri Department of Conservation, the migratory patterns of crows often pass through Missouri because they like it here. Now before you go all Alfred Hitchcock and Tippi Hedren, know that crows are among the smartest animals on earth. That fact doesn’t comfort this diminutive canine, given crow’s propensity to eat small mammals as well as anything else that isn’t nailed down.

How to be rid of them? “Laser pointer,” says MDC media guy Bill Graham. Apparently, the laser light from a common laser pointer annoys them and they move on to someone else’s gutters. Looks like we’re off to the office supply store!