How to Get Rid of Seagulls?

Just about every traveler who has enjoyed a day or two on the beaches of Florida knows about the seagull “problem.” It’s a safe bet that people who live near the beach know about the mess these members of the bird family can cause. But there’s more to the story than just being near the sea. It seems that gulls are quite common in many areas of the world, even far from the ocean.

What’s the Trouble?
Seagulls have been known to fly down quickly, from out of nowhere, to take food from a person relaxing on the beach or during a picnic. These birds are more widely known for the droppings they deposit on cars, benches, homes etc. Not only is this a corrosive mess that must be cleaned up, the droppings provide a place for unhealthy bacteria to grow. In general, seagulls are a nuisance to most people, something to be tolerated at best and to be dealt with using various techniques.

In the course of a few decades, people have come up with some creative and effective ways to reduce the problems caused by seagulls. It may not be possible to get rid of them altogether, but we might be able to move them away from our property. Reducing their numbers and pushing them out of populated areas will be a huge task, one that will continue for years to come.

Some Ideas
Property owners have used a simple technique called “seagull spikes” to convince gulls to move on and congregate somewhere else. These spikes are particularly effective when flocks gather regularly on a roof or other large area. The spikes are not designed to injure or kill birds, but with proper placement the gulls will find it difficult to land and relax for very long. Seagulls simply won’t be able to stand and rest in these “spiky” areas.

People have also tried stretching nets over large areas so that birds cannot settle on a roof or other large space. It’s important to get a net that is large enough, of course, but the net must also be made for bird applications. These nets are of a man-made material that will hold up to the task and will not deteriorate rapidly when exposed outdoors.

Wires are another method of dealing with seagulls. Creative manufacturers and homeowners stretch wires over an area normally used by gulls. With springs attached on the ends, these wires are not stable enough for seagulls to settle on for long. Whether you use a net, spikes or wires, the method is designed to change the gulls’ habits. Hopefully the flocks will move on to other areas.

If other techniques don’t work, it’s always possible to move seagull nests to uninhabited areas. But this must be done by a wildlife or government agency. Private citizens are generally not allowed to disrupt the nesting and mating habits of animals in the wild. Seagulls may be discouraged and moved on to other locations by carefully cleaning areas around the home or other property. These birds are particularly attracted garbage dumps, dumpsters, trash cans and other areas where they can find food scraps.

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