Most North Americans are familiar with seagulls and how they gather around, scavenging for food. Whether they flock to the park, beach, or your property, they can be a nuisance. But what happens when you have thousands of seagulls nesting in your commercial building or warehouse? Suddenly the slight nuisance has become a serious problem.

Flocks of seagulls can pose significant risks to your business’ operations and can even impact low-flying aircraft. If you have seagulls on your roof, you need to call a professional wildlife removal company. Here’s how Hawkeye can help with seagull prevention and removal from your commercial property.

How Do Seagull Nests Affect my Building/Roof?

There are several serious issues with seagull nests on your building or roof. Firstly, their droppings are acidic. Many birds have highly acidic droppings that can deteriorate asphalt roofing materials and other equipment such as HVAC units, which could eventually lead to flooding. They may also stimulate the growth of algae or moss, causing further issues.

Typically, seagulls construct their nest using grass, seaweed and some sticks—all of which are flammable materials. Nests built near electrical equipment and machinery can pose a significant fire hazard. They can also block ventilation systems, which is a significant hazard for employees and customers who frequent your building and could cause a carbon monoxide buildup.

For industrial and commercial properties that carry liquids, food products, and other consumable goods, the presence of seagull nests could cause health issues. They can carry bacteria and diseases like E. coli, salmonella, psittacosis, and fungi that can cause infections. Anything edible you manufacture could be affected by seagull droppings in the area. They also create unsanitary conditions for employees who work on or around the machinery on your roof. Sometimes the droppings can even be filtered through the HVAC system and cause poor air quality in the building as well.

Can I Legally Shoot Seagulls?

Seagulls can be loud, messy, and annoying, so it’s no wonder why people wonder if they can shoot them. Unfortunately for those with a problematic seagull situation, it is illegal to harass or kill them. It is also illegal to destroy seagull nests or their eggs.

Why is it illegal to shoot seagulls?

They are migratory birds, and although they can be found across Canada, many will nest in environmentally sensitive coastal and lakeside areas that have delicate ecosystems. By damaging these nesting sites, the seagull population could significantly decrease, which is why they have become a protected species. They are grouped into a category of bird species that are protected by Canada’s Migratory Birds Convention Act. Killing them is illegal and a special license is required to selectively euthanize them.

So, How Do I Get Rid of Seagulls on My Roof?

If seagulls have been flocking to your roof or property, it can quickly get out of hand. A few seagulls are manageable; tens of thousands of birds nesting on your roof is not. If you’re wondering how you can deter seagulls from nesting on your roof, there are a few things you can do to take control of the situation. Fortunately, gulls are easy to remove from areas, so lethal means are rarely needed. Here are some things a professional wildlife control company can do to deter seagulls from returning to your property:

Birds of Prey/Falconry

One of the most effective ways to eliminate seagulls is through the use of predatory birds such as falcons, owls, hawks, or eagles. Falconry is a natural and humane way to control behavioural patterns of pest birds, such as seagulls, by using these birds of prey to scare and chase away pest birds. This natural relationship between predators and their prey teaches seagulls that the area is unsafe and unfit to nest and visit.

Install Physical Deterrents

Bird netting, sloped sheathing, wires, and barriers are physical deterrents professionals may install to stop seagulls and other pest birds from settling on your property. Some of the most effective deterrents include:

Bird-Shock Flex-Track: This is a low-profile electrical ledge deterrent system that conditions birds to stay away. It’s humane and provides long-lasting results.

Bird Spikes: The bird spikes are highly successful at keeping seagulls away, as they are durable, have a low profile, and are blunted so they don’t harm the birds. They make it difficult for seagulls to land on your building.

Bird Slide: Made of UV-stable polycarbonate, bird slides protect the ledge of your building against all bird species because they prevent birds from gripping onto the ledge; therefore, causing them to “slide” right off.

Bird Netting: This method prevents birds from being able to land on the roof. The bird netting can be made of galvanized steel cable or other materials.

Pyrotechnics: This involves using firecrackers or bangers directed toward birds in order to scare them off.

Who Can Remove Them?

Hawkeye Bird and Animal Control is a bird and animal control company that services residential, commercial, and industrial properties in the Greater Toronto Area, Golden Horseshoe, and many parts of Florida. We manage pest birds, animals, and other nuisance wildlife and our services include animal and bird control, falconry, balcony cleaning and netting, and cleaning and exclusion. We guarantee results and offer effective solutions that exceed our competitors.