A historically significant Catholic cathedral on Western Australia's mid-west coast could be at risk of catching fire if the corellas that flock to it daily are not culled, according to its priest.

Key points: Corellas have eaten through electrical wires in the cathedral

Corellas have eaten through electrical wires in the cathedral Several corella control methods have not worked

Several corella control methods have not worked A type of bird contraception plan is the latest suggestion

Corellas descend daily onto buildings across the city of Geraldton including the roof of Saint Francis Xavier Cathedral, chewing at metal fixtures, removing the lids off electrical junction boxes, and eating through wires.

Recently a hotel had to replace its roof after the birds tore and scattered asbestos-covered paint strips from it.

The local MP said part of the answer could lie in a contraception used to control problem pigeons and geese in the United States and Canada.

Power company Western Power cut electricity to the 81-year-old cathedral last week due to exposed wires caused by the birds, but it has since been reconnected.

Corellas have chewed through the electrical wiring at St Francis Xavier Cathedral in Geraldton. ( Supplied: Father Robert Cross )

Diocese heritage director Father Robert Cross said the birds were creating a dangerous fire risk.

"It is a wood roof under the tiles and that has just got to catch fire and we would be in the same state as Notre Dame," Father Cross said.

The church and other building owners in Geraldton have tried a number of solutions to move the birds on, including the use of loud gas guns and spikes to deter them from settling.

"We put spikes on the cathedral roof but they actually sit on those spikes and pull them off," he said.

"We have about 40 rows of spikes that they've pulled off."

Father Cross said it was an ongoing battle with the unwelcome flock.

"You're not allowed to drug, you're not allowed to poison," he said.

"You can net but you've got to net 6,000 of these things. And you've got to individually shoot each one — not with a shot gun."

The cathedral has been described as one of the most significant globally of the 20th century. ( ABC Midwest and Wheatbelt: Laura Meachim )

Haircut chat prompts birth control plan

Geraldton MP Ian Blayney said it was a conversation with his barber, Pino, that got him thinking about bird birth control.

"I was having my hair cut the other day and the hairdresser said, 'Ian I have got a solution to the problem of the corellas' and I thought, 'Here goes'," Mr Blayney said.

"He said, 'Why don't we use contraception and get their numbers down that way?'''

"I thought I would go away and do some homework."

Little corellas (Cacatua sanguinea) are classed as managed fauna under new Biodiversity Regulations in Western Australia and can be culled without a licence.

But culling methods, such as shooting, are problematic in the city.

The farmer-turned-politician said he discovered a veterinary medication called OvoControl was "registered in 49 US States" to control geese and pigeons.

"I thought why not give it a try, why not put it out there?"

"In Geraldton these birds are slowly becoming a nightmare."

Corellas descend on the church every day. ( ABC Midwest and Wheatbelt: Joanna Prendergast )

"It would mean that there are less being bred so that means hopefully the population would come back to a number where people would tolerate them, and we would not be having to cull them."

Mr Blayney said he did not anticipate that other species would be affected because the corellas were dominant.

A spokesman for the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority said OvoControl was not registered for use in Australia.

She said an application could be made and would be assessed based on its effectiveness and safety for the environment and those using the product.