Sea Gull Identification:
Sea gulls are intelligent birds existing in great numbers along coastal areas, as well as inland lakes and rivers. Gulls can drink either salt or freshwater and their scavenger diets allow them great adaptability. Sea gulls eat anything from dead fish and garbage to field mice and insects. The typical gull is somewhere between 18 to 24 inches tall, weighing about 2 to 3 pounds. Their generally light colored in body with black wing tips and a deep black to light gray mantle. Coloring can change between season depending on the species. Gulls enjoy protection at the federal, state and local levels, mandating humane control practices. They prefer open water and secluded breeding areas, causing winter migrations in some northern territories, although southern gulls remain resident birds year round.
Damage Caused by Sea Gulls:
Gull control problems often occur at dump sites due to
the food opportunities present, as well as at harbors and
pier areas, especially where fishing boats bring in their
catches. Flocks of gulls often create hazardous conditions
to low flying aircraft and can cause bird strikes around
airports. Large buildup of gull droppings leads to structural
damage from the uric acid in the bird droppings. This is
often seen on boats, streetlights and coastal rooftops.
Other sea gull problems include slip and fall liability
from dropping buildup, plus an unclean, dirty company image.
The bacteria, fungal agents and ectoparasites found in gull
droppings can carry a host of serious diseases, including
histoplasmosis, encephalitis, salmonella, meningitis, toxoplasmosis
and more. Many companies also retain significant clean up
costs due to gull problems they don't resolve, as well as
customer complaints from the noise and aggressive nature
of the gulls.
Sea Gull Control:
Physical barriers can be erected to deter gulls from entering
an area. Overhead wire grids or large mesh (4 inch) bird
netting can be installed over dump sites, aquacultures,
ponds, courtyards and other large, open outdoor areas to
prevent the soaring gulls from landing. Bird
spikes and electrical
bird wire or track are effective at detering
problem sea gulls when installed around building perimeters
and on ledges. Daddi
Long Legs, a unique and humane physical bird
barrier, is effective at dissuading gulls from landing on
silos, street lights, A/C units, outdoor umbrellas and large
flat rooftops.
At feeding sites such as dumps, audio /visual bird scare
devices can be used in combination with overhead grids to
get rid of problem gulls. The location and type of the audio
/ visual devices MUST VARY
so the gulls perceive the threat as real. A combination
of sophisticated noisemakers like the BirdGard
Pro, Bird
Squawker (for larger areas), Zon
Gun propane canon and the BirdBlaster
sound unit with visual products like bird
scare eye balloons, bird
scare flags and flash
bird scare tape creates a menacing, predatory
feel to the area driving the problem sea gulls from the
vicinity. |
Daddi Long Legs
Bird Squawker unit
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