Seagulls are perhaps one of the most aggressive and annoying birds populating urban areas in the country. No longer are they a mainstay of seaside towns, seagulls can be found in many towns and cities further in the UK.
As determined food thieves that make plenty of messes, bird control is an essential consideration to protect customers, guests, as well as general health and safety.
Where do Seagulls Build Nests?
Traditionally, they build nests on coastal cliffs that are high enough to see and avoid ground predators, while providing access to food. In urban areas, rooftops and high ledges are a popular choice for seagull nests.
Bird deterrents for roofs are essential to prevent seagulls from nesting on your rooftop. Once a seagull has nested there, it is illegal to remove or disturb the nest. You must call BPCA licensed commercial bird control, or wait until nesting season is over to be rid of a nest.
Nests can damage roofs, block gutters, and cause leaks that are costly to repair. That’s why your first line of defence should be bird deterrents for roofs like spikes, netting and wire. All of these can be installed by a commercial bird control company like Aderyn.
Are Seagulls Afraid of Anything?
Seagulls are not very afraid of humans, but have a natural instinct to avoid their natural predators, loud unexpected noises, and sudden movements. All of these can be taken advantage of with an array of bird deterrents.
Motion-activated devices that emit high-pitched sounds, water, or pressurised air can be effective at scaring off seagulls. While a predator-mimic can deter seagulls, they can quickly learn it isn’t a real threat to them.
How to Deter Aggressive Seagulls
Aggressive seagulls are primarily food aggressive. You will need to eliminate their access to food sources by securing bins and be wary of eating food out in the open. Advising customers to not feed the birds and dispose of food waste securely is key to preventing seagulls from becoming a nuisance.
Once gulls have learned they can snatch food from people, they only become more aggressive. Food businesses have found some success by using reflective wrappers to blind seagulls and make them less likely to dive.
In extreme cases, where seagulls have caused injuries, bird handlers can use their falcons owls to hunt or disperse aggressive seagulls, though this can be quite costly. This is often the last resort commercial bird control method, as it is the most costly.
What is the Best Thing to Keep Seagulls Away?
A proactive approach of bird deterrents for roofs, combined with secure food handling and disposal, will be very effective at deterring seagulls from your property. If seagulls are established in the area, motion-detector bird deterrents can be effective to scare them away from your property.
If you’re struggling with aggressive, persistent populations of seagulls on your property, call in a commercial bird control UK company like Aderyn. We can identify gaps in your deterrent program and find humane ways to deter these birds that have adapted to human civilization.
