Is the English Sparrow (or House Sparrow) a problem in your area?

Birders. Is the House Sparrow, HOSP, a problem in your area? Apparently in my neck of the woods, they are. This morning, my tree hugging, vegetarian, mouse relocating, bird loving neighbor asked to borrow one of my rifles (a scoped, lever action 22) and a box of bullets. “Of course, no problem at all. Come on over.” I figured he was using it to reach an old wasp nest someplace so I kidded him. “So what are you shooting?” I asked. “A HOSP is attacking my swallow nests.” I was shocked! He told me about the issue and how they are destroying his bluebird and sparrow nests. I looked it up and found this: “Adult HOSP, nests, eggs and young may be destroyed under federal law. Humanely euthanize trapped birds. Relocating them only relocates the problem, and in some states a permit is required.” Source

I had no idea they were so dangerous to the native population. They peck other birds to death while they are sitting on the nest and take over nesting boxes. The males with the bib are the trouble makers and do the most killing. Who knew?
I thought all LBBs (little brown birds) were alike. Now that I know the difference between a chipping sparrow and a house sparrow, I will act accordingly and take appropriate action.
Do you do anything to control them?