THROWAWAY CULTURE DRIVING SPRINGTIME GULL THREAT

2nd April 2008

2nd April, 2008 London, UK – Rentokil predicts many towns and cities in the UK will be victim to the noise and physical attacks of the gull population over the next few months, as breeding season fast approaches. The gull population is thriving as a result of widespread food sources, mainly from litter on the streets and discarded scraps from fast food restaurants, all of which provide a tasty meal for these scavengers. Gulls are a common sight in cities and have now moved inland to breed. They are at their loudest and most violent between April and August, disrupting those who live near their nesting sites with their mating calls and in worst cases, attacking passers-by.

The birds’ population is thriving as a result of increasingly widespread food sources, from litter in our towns and cities, combined with the milder winters, which provides ideal breeding conditions for gulls and pigeons alike. As gulls often feed on rubbish dumps they can easily spread salmonella by sitting on pub and café tables – particularly at train stations where these tables are outdoors.

While seagulls used to inhabit coastlines and feed off the costal fishing industry, they are now widespread throughout cities, even as far inland as Birmingham, which, Rentokil asserts, has a major seagull problem. Their migration inland mirrors the activity of pigeons, which have gradually moved inland, as food sources have become readily available. In addition, the litter on streets and other easily available food offer the birds a fattier diet, helping the young to become strong and healthy, increasing their chances of survival.

Unlike pigeons, however, gulls commonly attack pedestrians using their feet or beaks, if they feel their young are in danger. It is not only their aggressive nature that results in calls from residents to tackle the pests, the birds are also extremely noisy, calling for up to 23 hours a day. This can be extremely disruptive for those living near a nesting site.

Rentokil’s Bird Development Manager for Scotland and North England, Mick McGrath, commented, “We are likely to see a substantial increase in mainland bird activity as a result of our throwaway culture and changes in today’s climate which have significantly affected breeding patterns. While people can help by being more careful with rubbish disposal, and not littering the streets, businesses also have a role to play in the control of the gull population. They can prevent these birds from nesting on their buildings through installing netting, anti-roost spiking and wires to disrupt their colonies and breeding habits. Unless such steps are taken now to control the UK’s gull population, the damage and disruption caused to the local community and its people, is only set to get worse.”

Advice from Rentokil on dealing with Gulls

• Avoid littering the streets as this provides the main food supply for both gulls and pigeons.
• Store waste carefully. Gulls have become experts at ripping bin liners. It’s best to use a wheelie bin and ensure that these are netted off so that birds cannot reach them.
• A serious gull infestation can only be tackled by a professional pest controller. If you do feel the gulls are becoming a nuisance in your area, either due to their noise or violent attacks, the best thing you can do is call in the experts, who will assess the severity of the situation and decide if action is needed to control their numbers.
• Rentokil asserts that the earlier the birds are spotted, the easier it is to tackle their infestation.