Continuous Noise: Relentless bird cries, particularly the distinctive calls of young chicks, suggest an active nest nearby that often intensifies during the early morning.
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How to Get Rid of Birds: The Expert Guide to Protecting Your Property
Dealing with pest birds is more than just a nuisance; it is a serious issue that affects the safety, hygiene, and aesthetics of your property. Whether you are a business manager in a busy urban centre or a homeowner facing a rooftop invasion, the noise, mess, and potential health risks can be distressing.
At Rentokil, we understand that birds like pigeons and gulls are simply adapting to their environment, but their presence on your premises is often unsustainable. This guide covers how to identify a problem early, practical "how to" strategies for deterrence, and when to call in the experts for effective and legal solutions.
How to Tell If You Have a Bird Problem
Recognising the signs of bird activity early can save you time and money. While a single bird might not be cause for alarm, certain behaviours indicate that your property has become a chosen habitat for roosting or nesting.
Look for these key indicators:
Nesting Debris: Finding twigs, straw, and feathers scattered around your premises is a strong sign of nest-building. This debris can often block guttering and drainage systems, leading to potential water damage.
Fouling and Droppings: Concentrated droppings in specific areas (like ledges, pavements, or vehicles) indicate regular roosting. Bird faeces are unsightly, corrosive to building materials and a slip hazard.
Physical Damage: Inspect stock or building exteriors for damage caused by pecking or fouling.
Settling Birds: If you see birds consistently settling on roofs, ledges, or cables, they are likely establishing a territory.
Secondary Infestations: The presence of bird mites, fleas, or beetles migrating from nests into the building.
How Does a Bird Infestation Start?
To get rid of birds effectively, you must understand why they are there. Pigeons and gulls have learned to survive in urban environments by scavenging waste food and utilising man made structures for shelter.
- Pigeons (Feral Pigeons): Descended from wild rock doves, they thrive in towns by using buildings to simulate cliff-faces for roosting.
- Gulls: They will scavenge on almost anything and often travel miles from their roosts to feed.
- Access Points: Any gap larger than 25mm allows access to your building, and birds may shift loose tiles to enter roof spaces.
What Really Scares Birds Away?
A common question is how to deter pigeons or gulls using simple scare tactics. While visual scarecrows or simple noises might work temporarily, birds are intelligent and adaptable. When they realise a sound poses no real threat, they rapidly become habituated to it.
Effective deterrence requires a two-pronged approach:
- Remove the Attraction: Eliminate food sources by securing bin lids and hiding waste.
- Professional Deterrence: Use methods that prevent habituation or physically block access.
How to Guide: How to Get Rid of Pigeons
Pigeons are gregarious creatures that prefer to live in flocks of 50 to 500. A small issue can quickly escalate into a major infestation.
When do Pigeons nest?
Pigeons can breed year-round if food is available, though the peak season is typically between March and July.
Practical Tips to Deter Pigeons:
- Remove Food Sources: Pigeons are scavengers. Ensure food waste is inaccessible.
- Block Entry Points: Seal gaps in eaves and roof tiles.
- Install Physical Barriers: Bird netting is a versatile solution that can be used vertically or horizontally to completely rid an area of pigeons.
Professional Solutions for Pigeons:
Bird Point: Stainless steel points that gently tip birds off balance, preventing them from landing on ledges and signs without harming them.
Spring Wire: A discreet wire system that prevents birds from roosting on exposed ledges and beams.
Avishock: A system that delivers a harmless but effective electric shock (similar to agricultural fencing) to deter birds from landing.
How to Guide: How to Get Rid of Gulls
How to get rid of seagulls is a more complex challenge due to their aggressive nature during breeding season and their loud calls. Technically, seagulls do not exist. is not a name associated with a specific species of bird. It is often the collective common name for a range of gull species. Some of the species of gulls which are often referred to seagulls are the Herring Gull, Lesser Black-Backed Gull and the Great Black-Backed Gull.
When do gulls start nesting?
Gulls typically nest between March and August. During this time, they will aggressively defend their nests and young.
Why are they so hard to remove?
Gulls often return to the same nesting site year after year. Once established, they are difficult to deter.
Professional Solutions for Gulls:
Legal Implications of Controlling Bird Issues
Navigating the law is critical when deciding how to remove pigeons or gulls. In the UK, all wild birds, their nests, and their eggs are protected by law under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. You’re breaking the law if you:
- Intentionally kill, injure or take wild birds
- Intentionally take, damage or destroy a wild bird’s nest while it’s being used or built
- Intentionally take or destroy a wild bird’s egg
- Possess, control or transport live or dead wild birds, or parts of them, or their eggs
- Sell wild birds or put them on display for sale
- Use prohibited methods to kill or take wild birds
Are Seagulls protected?
Yes. You cannot simply destroy nests or harm birds. Legislation has moved away from lethal control. The first priority must always be non-lethal solutions, such as proofing or hawking.
What can you legally do?
- Non-Lethal Deterrence: You are encouraged to use barriers (netting/spikes) and acoustic deterrents. Consider making it less habitable to birds by restricting access to food and shelter.
- Licensing: Lethal control or nest removal is only permitted under specific licences when there is a risk to public health or safety and no other alternatives exist. Only specific species of birds are covered under these licences. Rentokil experts can support you in applying for these licences if strictly necessary. As licensing is subject to change we recommend speaking directly with your Rentokil Technician who can advise which licences are required.
General Licence 41 (GL41) - to kill or take wild birds for public health or safety
General Licence 42 (GL42) - to kill or take wild birds to prevent serious damage
Class Licence 03 (CL03) - to catch birds on food premises
- Demonstrating "Reasonable Endeavours": Using systems like Rentokil's Intelligent Bird Scaring unit helps demonstrate that you are making reasonable non-lethal efforts to control the issue, which is often a requirement under current legislation.
Professional Bird Control Services
Sometimes, DIY methods aren't enough. Rentokil provides comprehensive, humane, and discreet bird control strategies tailored to your specific needs.
- Bird Netting: Immediate, effective, and durable stainless steel or polyethylene netting that denies birds access to canopies, roofs, and plant equipment.
- Intelligent Technology: Our App-controlled bird scaring units provide remotely monitored, sustainable protection.
- Expert Installation: Our teams are IPAF and PASMA certified, ensuring safe installation even at heights.
Birds and Pest Control FAQs
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How to legally get rid of Seagulls?
To legally get rid of seagulls, you must focus on non-lethal deterrents like netting, wire systems, or acoustic scaring devices. The removal of live birds, eggs, or nests is illegal without a specific licence, which is only granted in exceptional circumstances regarding public health and safety.
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Why do Seagulls suddenly appear?
Seagulls may appear suddenly if they have identified a new food source (like open bins) or a safe nesting site on a flat roof. They are also drawn to areas where they have successfully nested in previous years due to their strong homing instincts.
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What smells repel Seagulls?
While there are anecdotal theories about smells like peppermint or citronella, professional experience shows that gulls are highly adaptable. Scents are rarely effective in open, windy outdoor environments. Physical barriers (netting) or psychological deterrents (birds of prey/distress calls) are far more effective.
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What do Pigeons hate the most?
Pigeons "hate" instability. They prefer flat, stable surfaces to land and roost. This is why Bird Point (spikes) and Spring Wire systems are so effective. They make ledges unstable and uncomfortable, forcing the pigeons to move on.
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Should I worry about birds nesting in my roof?
Yes. Birds nesting in your roof can lead to blocked gutters, water damage, and secondary infestations of bird mites, ticks, and fleas. Furthermore, dried nesting material poses a fire risk, and accumulated droppings can damage building materials
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