Evaluating Seagull Deterrent Methods & Devices

There are three methods that we use to eliminate seagull infestations.  We only sell products or methods that are approved by USDA, that we know are very effective in hundreds of our seagull mitigation projects all over North America.  We do not sell products or methods that seagulls adapt to and are only temporarily effective.

• Deterrents transform a comfortable environment into a location seagulls avoid.
• Exclusions prevent seagulls from landing and roosting in a location
• Harassments scare or drive seagulls away from a location

Methods & Products that are very effective
We ONLY sell:

Deterrents:

• Grid Wires are the USDA approved method for eliminating seagull infestations on wide open surfaces such as large flat roofs, docks, solar panels, outdoor dining, patios, landfill facilities, marinas, municipal water plants and reservoirs. (See the USDA Fact Sheet “Managing Gull Damage”).  Seagulls fear our proprietary grid wire patterns and will not land beneath them.  To construct the grids, we use nylon coated stainless steel bird wire or synthetic blue or red Kevlar™ polyethylene coated cord—a Dupont product—that is strong, non-stretch, UV stable, highly rated for durability in harsh marine environments.  .
• Spiders or Daddi Long Legs, stainless steel wires arching out from a base that is attached to a boat cabin roof or Bimini, boat-lift covers, chimneys, HVAC units and similar small flat areas. Seagulls fear the wires and will not land near them.

Exclusions:

• Peaked Roof Wires, aluminum brackets attached to the roof ridge carry three parallel rows of wire a few inches above the roof and gable peaks. This prevents seagulls from landing on roof peaks because seagulls cannot grasp a wire (seagulls are reluctant to land on a roof slope).  We use a variation of  wire installations on railings, ledges, pipes, ducts, parapets and walls.
• Stainless Steel Gull Spikes on parapets, ledges, walls, girders, ducts—any narrow surface. Seagulls can’t land on spikes because they can’t grasp them.

Harassments:

• MegaBlasters, the only brand of noisemakers that we have found effective. It can be programmed to emit distress calls, predator calls and cannon blasts on a    It is extremely loud and can only be used in agriculture and other remote locations.  Over time seagulls can habituate to all noisemakers, but this brand is very effective if operated as we recommend.
• Shock Track: A flat electrified tape that delivers a mild shock to gulls that step on it. Quickly teaches seagulls this is a hostile environment that they must avoid.  The ideal solution for gull infestations where aesthetic considerations are as important as effectiveness.  Solar or building powered, safe and harmless.

Methods & Products that are not very effective
We NEVER sell:

• Nets can entangle seagulls, causing broken wings and death to the gulls as well as distress to people who observe their struggles. On roofs, and other locations exposed to the elements, nets require expensive maintenance.  Winter ice and snow can destroy nets or transform them into giant sails.  Our grid wire systems are just as effective, do not harm gulls, and require little maintenance.
• Foggers & Sprayers are not effective. Seagulls thrive in the harshest marine climates—even in fog & rain.  After an initial avoidance, seagulls will acclimate to these devices  They are just another bad weather event to seagulls, their norm.
• Sonic & Ultra-Sonic Noise Makers. Seagulls live in noisy environments and soon learn to ignore repeated booms and bangs, whether sonic or ultra-sonic.  Unlike seagulls, people who work and live around these noise makers feel very uncomfortable.  It is not uncommon for neighbors to complain to public health authorities who fine operators and shut these down for exceeding permitted decibel levels.  Ultra-sonic devices have no effect on gulls, a waste of money.
• Fake Predators. Seagulls quickly recognize that fake owls and hawks are no threat. They are not fooled by these plastic replicas.  Only humans are fooled into believing seagulls can’t tell the difference between fake and real predators.
• Real Predators. Trained hawks and falcons are only effective when on site, and very expensive—over $1000 a day in most locales.  When these birds of prey are flying where seagulls are roosting, the gulls will leave, only to return when the falcon or hawk has left the property.  During nesting season seagulls may attack and drive off these predators, and occasionally kill them.  This is a costly and only partially effective solution over the long term.
• Bird Spikes. Some bird control operators use cheaper bird spikes to keep seagulls off parapets.  Seagulls have relatively long legs and can land between these spikes if the attraction is strong enough.  We only use extra tall stainless steel gull  spikes, longer than seagull legs, so gulls can’t land among them.
• Inexpensive Bird Lasers: Effective lasers are expensive—well over $1000.  Inexpensive lasers are useless for harassing seagulls.  Agrilaser, the laser brand we carry, can be effective in limited applications if used according to our recommendations.  Consult us before purchasing a laser.