Gull nesting season is just around the corner, and time is running out to protect your property from the significant threat of pest bird activity. testing
Wait much longer and these destructive pests will have already made themselves at home on your property, and once they have nested, there is very little that can be done to stop them.
Blocked guttering, toxic bird droppings and aggressive behaviour such as swooping are just some of the joys of living or working in close proximity to a population or pest birds such as urban gulls or feral pigeons but with strict regulations around the treatment of all bird species in the UK, tackling existing infestations is a minefield of licences and legislation.
ALL gull species in the UK are protected by law and a licence is required to carry out any form of work on existing nesting sites. Even if you do use a company such as Pest Solutions who are authorised to carry out licenced work, you still need to wait for a licence to be granted in the first place, and there is no guarantee that you will get one.
In the mean time, the pest birds on your property will be doing their worst, destroying property, creating an unsafe and unsanitary environment, and generally making your property a highly unpleasant place to be.
It’s simply not worth the risk. By FAR your best option is to bird proof your property before nesting season begins, making it a far less attractive roosting spot for birds looking for a place to set up camp for the next few months.
In fact, several of our bird proofing solutions, especially bird netting and bird spikes, make landing on your property impossible, reducing the risk of an infestation to almost zero.
Top tips for reducing the threat of pest birds
At this time of year, many pest bird species are on the hunt for an ideal location to make their nests. The last thing you want to be doing is to welcome in a gull infestation with open arms, and by following a few simple pieces of best practice advice, you can reduce the attractiveness of your property to these flying menaces.
Avoid Feeding Gulls
Gulls are scavengers, and are resourceful enough when it comes to seeking out food without you handing it to them on silver platter (or plastic bird feeder). Feeding the birds is a nice enough idea, but the problem is that even the most well designed products are subject to attracting pest activity.
Keep rubbish stored securely
Open bins and scraps of food left lying around attract gulls like moths to a flame. Easy access to food is a top priority for gulls seeking shelter, and open bins filled with unsecured waste is a health disaster just waiting to happen.
Clear away old nesting materials
Or get us to do it! If you have had issues with gull activity in the past, it is important to have the remnants of old nesting materials cleared away as soon as possible after the gulls have vacated the area. There are multiple reasons for this, with the main two being limiting the amount of nesting materials available nearby when gulls return and avoiding attracting insect pests to the site in the meantime.
Gull Proof Your Property NOW!
Don’t leave your health and your property’s safety to chance! Gull proof your property today with Pest Solutions and enjoy a pest bird free 2025, making landing, nesting and roosting nearby an unattractive and near impossible task for gull species.
Just some of the fantastic options that we have available to our clients across the whole of Scotland and Northern England include:
Bird Spikes
Absolutely perfect for protecting those tricky spots such as ledges, sills, gutters, and signs where birds love to perch. Our expert team of bird control specialists can install these rows of stainless steel spikes in almost any location, with heavy duty spike systems available for large-scale commercial sites.
Despite the rather ominous name, bird spikes do not harm the gulls, simply make it uncomfortable and impossible to land nearby.
Bird Netting
The ONLY guaranteed way to stop birds from nesting on your property. After all, if they can’t reach it in the first place, they don’t have a huge amount of choice! Our bird netting can be installed over rooftops, courtyards, warehouses, office blocks, and pretty much anywhere else for that matter, with an ingenious team of professionals who will find solutions to even the trickiest of installations.
Netting is also perfect for protecting solar panels which are particularly susceptible to pest bird activity.
Scaring Devices
Audible deterrents like bird distress calls and visual deterrents like hawk kites can effectively scare gulls away. To prevent habituation, they should be regularly moved and paired with other deterrents. These methods are low-cost and versatile but require consistent monitoring to maintain effectiveness.
Lasers
Handheld or autonomous lasers deter gulls from open spaces or rooftops by creating a perceived threat. They work best before nesting begins and as part of an integrated control plan. Lasers are particularly effective for large industrial sites and areas with minimal human presence.
Falconry
Flying birds of prey like hawks at regular intervals before the breeding season naturally discourages gulls from nesting. This method is most effective when combined with other control strategies. It also offers an environmentally friendly and humane approach to deterring birds.
