Field Guide · Pest Control
Airgun pest control: rats, starlings, sparrows and mice
Researched by James · Updated September 26, 2026 · Editorial policy
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The legal status of each species below comes from the federal rule listing which non-native birds fall outside Migratory Bird Treaty Act protection, linked in Sources. Local law always adds a second layer on top of that federal baseline. Full methodology & editorial policy →
Legal status, species by species
| Pest | Native? | Federal protection | What still applies |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rats & mice | Non-native (most common species) | None — not classified as protected wildlife | Local discharge and firearm/air-gun ordinances |
| House sparrow | Non-native | None — outside the families the Migratory Bird Treaty Act covers | State wildlife rules and local discharge law |
| European starling | Non-native | None — same basis as the house sparrow | State wildlife rules and local discharge law |
This federal exemption is specific and narrow — it applies to these particular non-native species because they fall outside the bird families the U.S. treaties with Canada, Mexico, and Russia actually cover. It does not extend to native sparrows, native blackbirds, or any other look-alike species. If you're not certain of the ID, don't take the shot.
Legality first, every time
A pest bird being federally unprotected only clears one of two hurdles. Your state wildlife code may still regulate methods, and your city or county ordinance very often bans discharging any projectile — air rifle included — inside its limits, regardless of the target. That second layer is the one that actually stops most backyard pest control, not the wildlife rule. Check both before you shoot, and get explicit permission if the property isn't yours. The state-by-state legal picture is in airgun laws in the U.S., and the backyard-specific version is in can you shoot a pellet gun in your backyard.
The energy floor for pest-sized targets
Rats, mice, sparrows, and starlings need less energy than squirrels or rabbits to kill cleanly with a head shot — 6-12 FPE at the animal covers the range comfortably. That's why a dedicated pest gun can be lighter and quieter than a full hunting rifle. The complete energy chart by quarry, including how pests compare to bigger game, is on the airgun FPE chart.
The backyard-friendly setup
- Platform: a shrouded .22 PCP with no springer clatter and a quiet muzzle report — the job the Benjamin Marauder built its reputation on.
- Ammo: heavy domed pellets kept subsonic, under roughly 950 fps. No sonic crack, and pellets shed energy fast past the target — a real safety feature near structures. Slugs stay out of this job entirely; over-penetration has no place around a house.
- Backstop: every shot ends in dirt, a bank, or a proper pellet trap. Never sky, never a fence line, never "probably fine."
- Angles: shooting upward at a bird on a roofline or wire sends a miss into the neighborhood. Wait for the ground or a low, safe angle instead.
Placement: head shots, no exceptions
At pest scale, a body hit rarely kills cleanly and often just creates a wounded animal in a wall void or under a shed. The rule is the same one that governs every other quarry on this site: head shot, confirmed backstop, or no shot. The full aim-point breakdown for every species is in airgun shot placement.
The backyard pest kit
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Related pest problem: feral pigeons
Feral pigeons follow the same legal logic — non-native, unprotected federally — but they're bigger, need more energy (12+ FPE), and are usually found on structures where a safe backstop is harder to find. That's enough of a different problem to deserve its own page: pigeon hunting with an air rifle.
Verdict
Rats, mice, starlings, and house sparrows clear the federal hurdle by being non-native and unprotected, but that's only half the legal picture. Confirm your state and city rules, run 6-12+ FPE with subsonic pellets and a quiet PCP, and keep every shot to a head shot over a real backstop.
FAQ
Are rats and mice protected by any hunting law?
No. Rats and mice aren't classified as wildlife in the way game animals are, so there's usually no season, license, or bag limit for controlling them on your own property. Your city's discharge ordinance still governs whether you can shoot at all where you live.
Are starlings and house sparrows legal to shoot with an air rifle?
In most cases, yes, subject to state and local law. Both species are non-native and fall outside the families covered by the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act's protections, unlike almost every native songbird. Check your state wildlife agency and city ordinance before shooting.
How much FPE do you need for pest control?
6-12 FPE delivered at the animal covers rats, mice, sparrows, and starlings with a head shot. That's well below the 9-12+ FPE floor for rabbits and squirrels, which is one reason a dedicated pest gun can run quieter and lighter.
What's the best air rifle for backyard pest control?
A quiet, shrouded .22 PCP shooting heavy domed pellets kept below about 950 fps. The subsonic speed avoids the sonic crack, and the shroud keeps the mechanical report down for repeated shots near a house.
Should you use slugs for pest control near a house?
No. Slugs penetrate more and carry farther past the target, which is the opposite of what you want near structures, pets, or neighbors. Heavy domed pellets that shed energy quickly are the safer choice for this job.
Can you shoot pigeons the same way as starlings?
The legal logic is similar — feral rock pigeons are also non-native and unprotected federally — but pigeons are bigger, need more energy (12+ FPE), and often sit on structures with no safe backstop. See the pigeon hunting guide for the differences.
Is it legal to shoot pest birds in your backyard?
It depends entirely on your city and state. A bird being legally unprotected doesn't override a local discharge ordinance, and many cities ban firing any projectile, air rifle included, within their limits. Confirm both before you shoot.
