How to Get Rid of Seagulls: Prevention, Deterrents, and Long-Term Solutions

Yes, seagulls are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act in the United States and similar wildlife protection laws in many other countries. These laws make it illegal to harm, capture, or kill gulls without proper permits from wildlife authorities.

While you can freely use non-lethal deterrents, any intervention that involves handling birds, eggs, or nests typically requires authorization from appropriate wildlife management agencies. Violations can result in significant fines and penalties.

Several natural deterrents can help discourage seagulls:

• Natural predator presence (such as falcons or eagles in the area)
• Certain plant species like thorny bushes that prevent comfortable landing
• Modifications to the landscape that eliminate open spaces
• The complete absence of food sources and feeding opportunities
• Dark or reflective surfaces that create visual discomfort

Preventing seagulls from roosting on your roof requires a multi-faceted approach:

• Install physical barriers like bird spikes or wire systems along ridgelines and edges
• Use visual deterrents such as reflective objects or predator decoys
• Apply bird-safe repellent gels on favorite perching spots
• Regularly change the position of visual deterrents to prevent habituation
• Consider installing sloped additions to flat roof sections where gulls frequently land

Seagulls are sensitive to certain sounds that suggest danger:

• Recordings of predator birds (eagles, hawks, falcons)
• Gull distress calls, which alert other gulls to potential danger
• Random, unexpected loud noises (though these may disturb neighbors)
• Ultrasonic deterrent devices specifically calibrated for gulls

For maximum effectiveness, combine sound deterrents with visual methods and rotate sound patterns to prevent habituation.

In most jurisdictions, removing active seagull nests (those containing eggs or chicks) is illegal without proper permits due to protections under wildlife conservation laws. However, you can:

• Remove nesting materials before eggs are laid (during the early building phase)
• Apply for permits from wildlife authorities if nests pose genuine health or safety risks
• Contact professional wildlife management services for legal guidance
• Implement deterrents after the breeding season to prevent future nesting

Seagulls primarily become aggressive when protecting nests or chicks, or when conditioned to expect food. If a seagull attacks:

• Maintain eye contact with the bird while calmly but quickly leaving the area
• Hold an object like an umbrella or bag above your head as a shield
• Avoid running erratically, which may trigger predatory instincts
• Never attempt to harm the bird, as this is illegal and may escalate aggression
• Report repeated aggressive behavior to local wildlife authorities

Restaurants with outdoor seating often use multiple strategies to manage seagull problems:

• Install overhead deterrents like netting, wires, or string grids
• Train staff to clear food promptly and maintain clean tables
• Use visual deterrents around the perimeter of dining areas
• Provide table umbrellas or awnings that limit aerial access
• Post signs asking customers not to feed birds
• Some establishments use trained birds of prey for periodic deterrence (falconry)

Seagulls are creatures of habit and territorial by nature. Once they establish a feeding or nesting area, they typically won’t leave on their own unless:

• Their food source is completely eliminated
• They consistently encounter effective deterrents
• The nesting season ends (they may relocate temporarily)
• A better, more accessible food source becomes available elsewhere

Without active intervention, seagulls are likely to return to successful feeding and nesting locations year after year.