How to get rid of nesting seagulls

So you’ve discovered that your property is a prime location – at least if you are a nesting seagull! The birds have moved in and built a nest. Dawn is now broken by loud squawking down the chimney and it sounds like they wear hobnailed boots as they run across the roof. So just how easy is it to get rid of nesting seagulls?

Can I remove a seagulls nest?

Seagulls and their nests are protected by law, there is very little a householder can do themselves during the nesting season. Familiarising yourself with the current law before attempting any bird control methods is incredibly important and it is always best to consult with a bird control expert if in doubt.

Why are seagulls on the UK Red List?

Red lists are a globally recognised system where species are identified as under the threat of extinction. On this conservation list are 2 UK gull species, the Kittiwake and Herring Gull. The Herring Gull is one of the gull species often found in urban areas, in fact around 75% of the Herring Gull population lives in urban areas, however research has shown their coastal populations are declining. The Red List means urgent action is required or the species is at risk of extinction, therefore they are a protected species.

Are seagulls covered by the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981?

This act protects all wild birds, including all species of seagull, their nests and eggs in England, Scotland and Wales although Scotland has additional criteria. In short, this act makes it illegal to:

• Intentionally injure, take or kill any wild bird
• Intentionally damage, take or destroy a nest of any wild bird that is being built or is in use
• Intentionally destroy or take eggs
• Intentionally disturb nest building, nests containing eggs or nests containing dependant young

Any works that might affect the above list should be completed outside of the nesting season, this includes house maintenance, building works and bird control. If wild birds are disturbed during nesting season, the penalties leading from prosecution are severe. There are exceptions to the rule. Authorised persons, such as bird control professionals, can apply for a General Licence issued by government departments Natural England and DEFRA. These licences allows the licence holder to use certain bird control methods if there is shown to be a danger to public health and safety, when dealing with ‘pest species’. To learn more in-depth information, read our blog about the law and General Licences and how they affect you.

Can I clear a seagull nest outside of the nesting season?

If a seagull nest is no longer active, there are no eggs or dependant chicks it is possible to clear the nest. The best time of year to do this is outside the seagull nesting season – generally during the winter months between September and March.

When is the gull nesting season?

Once seagulls are sexually mature, around 3 or 4 years old, gulls start to pair up, finding their life partner.

• March The start of the season is late March when the seagulls begin to look for suitable nesting sites.
• March – May: Around this time, they build their nests and will have laid 1 to 3 eggs by May. At this point, a householder cannot touch the nest; only a licensed professional can carry out work.
• June - July The eggs will be hatching, and the chicks are starting to learn to fly.
• September: Most seagulls will have left the nest by September.

Why should I remove a seagull nest?

Once you are sure you have an inactive nest, nest removal can begin. It is advisable to remove all nesting material as not only is it unsightly, but there are associated health and safety risks:

• Fire Hazzards: The dry nesting material can be considered a fire risk if left on or around chimneys.
• Blocked Gutters: The leftover debris can block gutters causing leaks and overflow, which in turn can damage the fabric of your building.
• Other Pests: The material itself can harbour other inhabitants such as bird mites, carpet beetles, ticks, flies and fleas. With the host bird gone, these insects can make their way into your home.
• Health Risks: Several diseases are associated with birds and their nesting debris, particularly respiratory illnesses. Although rare to pass onto humans, there is a chance of infection however there is more information on the bird droppings and disease in our blog.

How do I clear a gull nest?

Most gull nests will be positioned high up on a property, so the first consideration is how to access the area safely. Please ensure you are proficient in the health and safety of using ladders or access equipment. If in doubt, it is always best to consult with a professional. It is advisable to wear the appropriate PPE. We would suggest wearing a mask, gloves and overalls or old clothes. Use strong bin bags to bag up the nesting material and use a scraper or trowel to remove the stubborn bits of the nest. Once all the nesting debris has been bagged up, the bags sealed and correctly disposed of, spray the area with a germicide such as Germclear spray, this will ensure the site is clean and free from associated pathogens.

Do seagulls nest in the same place?

Once seagulls have found the perfect safe nesting site to bring up their family, they will return to that spot in the spring every year. They are known to be incredibly territorial and often aggressively protect their nesting zone. Considering that a seagull can start breeding at 3 years old and can live to the ripe old age of 20+, that’s at least 17 years of putting up with aggressive nesting birds! Add to this that following generations go back to where they hatched, colonies of gulls can quickly become established among the rooftops.

Why are seagulls nesting on my roof?

Traditionally seagulls are seabirds that live around coastal areas, nesting on cliffs and feeding off fish and small sea creatures, however, this has begun to change. More birds are now choosing the roofs of offices, homes and blocks of flats to nest. To a seagull, these provide the same high-up roosting area a cliff would have done in the past. A gull will have a clear view of any predators, the nest and chicks will be safely out of reach and there will undoubtedly be a convenient food source nearby. Seagulls are incredibly adaptable to both food sources and environment so are spotted further and further inland.

How do I stop seagulls nesting?

To stop seagulls nesting on your roof you must take action outside of the nesting season, before the gulls return to their preferred spot and start building this year's nest. Remember it is illegal to do anything to remove or even disturb an active nest. Whilst the area is clear, installing physical barriers such as the bird spikes is the key to moving seagulls on and preventing them from setting up home on your property.

How do bird spikes work for seagulls?

Not all bird spikes are made the same! Bird spikes work by being both a visual deterrent and a physical barrier. Most birds will see the spikes before they come in to land and will prefer to fly on to a more accessible perch.

If they are particularly determined, the installed humane blunt spikes mean the birds cannot gain a foothold on the ledge or area that has been spiked. Should they get closer, birds, particularly seagulls, do not like anything touching their wings, so the spikes make it very uncomfortable for the birds to spend prolonged time at the site.

However, it must be noted that spikes designed for pigeons do not work for deterring seagulls. The reason is simple, seagulls have considerably longer legs than pigeons. The gull can stand over pigeon spikes quite comfortably, whereas they can not get anywhere near specialist seagull spikes which are 150 mm high.

Which Bird Spikes should I use to deter seagulls?

Defender® Bird Spikes have several options suitable for deterring seagulls nesting on your roof or property. Our seagull spike systems are straightforward to install for anyone with a knowledge of general DIY, however, due to the laws that surround wild nesting birds and the inevitable problems of accessing high-up nesting sites, it is always advisable to consult with a bird control professional.

All the stainless steel Defender® seagull spikes come with pins made from 304 Grade Stainless Steel which has a 25-year ‘No Rust’ warranty, however, they are also available in 316 Marine Grade Stainless Steel which has superior anti-corrosion properties, particularly suited to the more exposed coastal areas and areas of high pollution. For a more scientific insight into why 316 Grade steel is superior to 304 Grade, take a look at the charts on the difference between 304 and 316 Grade stainless steel article.

Standard Defender® Seagull Spikes available:

The Defender® Seagull Spike is our standard gull deterrent, ideal for window ledges and capped chimney pots

• Pins are 150 mm, longer than standard pigeon spikes
• Can protect ledges up to 200 mm in depth
• Fan of 4 angled pins

The Defender® Extreme Seagull Spike is designed for high-pressure nesting sites, particularly around chimney pots

• Pins are 150 mm
• Can protect ledges up to 300 mm in depth
• Fan of 6 angled pins
• 2 centrally place vertical pins to stop determined birds from overcoming the spikes
• Two or more rows can be placed interlinked, creating a dense spike mat

The Defender® Thistle Bird spike is the only all UV polycarbonate spike in the seagull spike range

• Low-profile pin height of 62 mm
• 80 pins arranged in a fan of 8 angles
• Dense pattern of pins can not be overcome by seagulls, pigeons or garden birds
• Suitable for all UK birds

Seagull Spikes for Roof Ridges

The Defender® Roof Ridge Spikes are designed to sit on top of the ridge tiles at the apex of the roof. They come in 2 different base styles to fit UK roofs.

Defender® Angled Roof Ridge Spikes have a UV stabilised polycarbonate base that fits over the top of triangular shaped roof ridge tiles

• Pins are 150 mm in height
• Inverted ‘V’ shaped base will sit comfortably on all triangular ridge tiles
• Deters both seagulls and pigeons

The Defender® Curved Roof Ridge Spike has additional integral stabilisers to hold the spike in place on curved roof ridge tiles

• Pins are 150 mm high
• Fan of 4 angled pins
• 4 integral curved anti-topple stabilisers ensure a secure fit on all half round tiles while the silicone cures
• Deters both seagulls and pigeons

Seagull Spikes for Chimneys

The Defender® Chimney Pot Spike is an innovative design for deterring seagulls from open chimney pots

• Pins are 230 mm high
• 107 cm strap wraps around any circumference chimney pot
• Simple hook and spring closing system
• Easily fits all shaped open pots, both square or round