Seagull Facts

Humane action taken by professional pest control organisations to stop Seagulls from nesting is not illegal. Herring Gulls and Black Backed Gulls are two of the exempt species covered by “Open Licence” schemes operated by Natural England, Scottish Natural heritage and the Welsh Assembly, allowing building owners and occupiers to deal with pest birds outside of the “Wildlife & Countryside Act”.

• Eggs are laid in May, hatching in June. The most aggressive behaviour occurs in July & August.
• Noise problems start as early as March and can go on all through the night.
• There are increasing reports of gulls attacking people or pets for food and when protecting their young.
• They can be a danger to the elderly, young children and pets.
• Seagulls can pick at roofing materials to build nests and the nests themselves block gutters and hold moisture against the structure.
• The number of gulls breeding on rooftops in the UK is increasing by 30% a year.
• Local authorities have no obligations by law to deal with the 'GULL ISSUE' it is down to individual property owners.
• Adult Gulls are monogamous and will breed for up to 15 years of their lifespan returning to the same spot every year to nest. Each year they are capable of raising three young.
• At 3 years old the young themselves are able to breed and will return to their birthplace and fight their parents for the same nest site. Hence the reason one street may be full of gulls and the next clear.

Do the maths! Over 15 years it is possible for a pair of gulls to replicate themselves 22 times over. All of these gulls will grow up and remain in your local area with very few natural predators to keep them in check. ACT NOW!

Herring Gull Vital Statistics Eggs 2-4 Incubation 28-30 days Fledging 35-40 days Maximum lifespan 31 years Length 53-59cm Wingspan 78-96cm Weight 690-1,495g

Gulls scavenge on litter, rubbish tips and sewage outfall pipes. They can pick-up and transmit E.Coli & other harmful organisms to humans through contact with their droppings

Gulls build large nests and like to use vents and chimneys to support the weight of their nests. This presents a unique hazard of poisonous gas build-up in the building as they often completely block vents used by gas appliances.

Gulls will take advantage of any new food sources supplied by human wastage. They are perfectly capable of finding their own food supply. Do not provide them with an unnatural meal, intentionally or otherwise!