Alex Greaney
Rentokil, the pest control provider, is issuing a warning to the public to treat gulls and other birds with caution as we enter the summer period.
In particular, the company is warning people living in coastal urban areas to be aware of the increase in activity of these birds during the summer months, as this will likely lead to greater interaction between the public and birds.
The late spring and early summer period is subject to an increase in activity from gulls as the birds typically lay their eggs in April and May, which then hatch in June. The birds can become extremely aggressive and protective of their nests, eggs, and young chicks during this period. Gulls also tend to become more active at this time, as they begin to search for food for their young.
Urban areas offer birds and gulls easy access to food waste and tall buildings can mimic the high cliff tops that gulls would traditionally nest on.
There are many steps you can take yourself to prevent the presence of gulls and other undesirable birds at your home or business, such as:
Removing any food sources for pest birds around your premises.
Removing access to nesting sites, for instance by putting barriers over window ledges, can also be an effective bird deterrent.
Home or business owners should also make sure bin lids are secure and rubbish bags are not left in the open – gulls have sharp beaks that will make short work of bin bags.
Another option to consider would be the use of a fake decoy birds of prey which may deter the presence of pest birds.
Rentokil controls pest bird species in accordance with the EU Birds Directive and the Irish bird derogations and uses non-lethal methods to control all other species of birds if they become public health pests. Rentokil employs several different safe and eco-friendly methods in order to help protect premises from pest birds, including the installation of bird spikes and bird netting. Experts can also employ hawking, using specially trained birds of prey to scare and deter pest birds from an area without causing them harm.
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