Identify your Pests > Gulls (Fam. Laridae)

Almost every town in the UK now has a growing population of roof-nesting gulls and claims by national papers say "Gulls may become a greater pest than rats" Our not so friendly Sea gulls make the press on a regular bases and stories of gulls terrorising workers on roofs and even striking bystanders on the street, are a regular occurrence - not just in coastal towns. Large gulls are also regularly reported stealing food from the hands of tourists or aiming their defecation directly at unsuspecting members of the public.

Their aggressive behaviour is now widely publicised, and their nesting and breeding habits can cause large problems on buildings for all sectors of the community, creating noise, especially during courtship and chick rearing, and blocking down-pipes and gutters with their alarmingly large amounts of excrement.

Many studies have shown that gulls pick up disease organisms which cause food poisoning in humans and spread distribute them about the environment. The list of these organisms is superficially impressive Salmonella spp, listeria spp, vibrio cholerae spp to name but a few, and the very high profile Escherichia coli, as an outbreak in early 2003 killed 20 elderly people in Scotland, with the gulls being implicated in contaminating water sources with both Salmonella spp. and E. coli 0157

Unlike many other 'problem species' Gulls present the professional pest controller with two main problems. Firstly, gulls are not confined to a single centre of activity as they move widely and are capable of making a round trip of 100km in search of food in just a few hours. Secondly, they are considerably more intelligent than most pest birds and despite the best efforts of some professionals to deter or remove them, colonies have continued to expand. Being based near the coast, Prokill has extensive experience in systems that work and have rectified the costly mistakes made by home owners and national PLC's alike in using lesser alternatives which have included, the plastic eagle owl, streamers and other waving structures which decorate the sky line - along with a gull or two sitting on them - and complicated speaker systems playing distress calls which cease to work when covered in sea gull excrement.

Some spiked systems, balloons showing large eyes, loud sudden noises, and even fireworks fail to work after a short period of time. Egg smashing and nest raking and netting all fail if not carried out to exacting standards. Some gulls are protected species and culling - poisoning, narcotising (and then despatching the drugged birds) or shooting are fraught with danger and consultation with the Wildlife and Countryside Act is a necessity.

Psittacosis (Ornithosis)
An infectious disease usually transmitted through inhalation of dust or airborne particles contaminated by bird faeces or nasal discharge or from contaminated feathers. The organism can survive many months in dry dust. The symptoms of human infection range from a flu-like illness with fever, joint and muscle pains of a few days (in about 25% of cases) to pneumonia (in about 60% of cases) and possible endocarditis (inflammation of the Heart) and hepatitis (inflammation of the Liver). REPORTED NUMBERS OF INFECTIONS IN THE UK AVERAGE AROUND 500 PER YEAR, AND HAVE MORE THAN DOUBLED SINCE THE EARLY 80s.

Bird Lung (Extrinsic Allergic Alveolitis)
This is an allergic disease. Inhalation of bird droppings may cause acute disease with symptoms of fever and chest tightness with cough. The disease may also manifest itself in chronic form with shortness of breath on exertion. Such is the importance and danger now associated with the disposal of nesting and guano the HSE have issued guidance for removal and, states the following precautions are recommended:

1. Personal protective equipment in the form of a disposable one-piece boiler suit with close fitting hood should be worn.
2. Respiratory protective equipment in the form of a ventilated helmet ('airfed') with RPE to asbestos standards is advised.
3. Good personal hygiene measures are essential and should include adequate washing facilities and separate eating facilities.
4. The offending material should be removed in such a way as to minimise the amount of dust generated.
5. The bulk of the material should be placed in plastic sacks and disposal by incineration arranged.
6. The contaminated surfaces should be treated to eradicate bacteria.

It is also recommended that employees who are exposed to this hazard carry a letter from the company that will alert their GP to their occupational risk in the event of ill-health.