Renfrewshire Council

Gulls in urban areas

The presence of gulls in urban areas has increased in recent years for a number of reasons such as the availability of good nest sites and discarded food.

Most of the gulls that live near us do not cause problems for residents. However, these birds can cause considerable problems including noise, mess from droppings, fouling roofs, walls, windows, gardens, people and domestic washing. Gulls can also cause damage to property by picking at roofing materials and by blocking gutters and down pipes with nesting materials.

Gulls are known to dive and swoop on people and pets, causing distress and alarm among the public, particularly during the nesting season. However, the Council doesn't have a statutory duty to take action against gulls and does not offer a pest control service to deal with gulls. There are private pest control contractors who will offer this service and details of approved contractors can be found through the British Pest Control Association.

Gulls and the law

This is a brief guide only and not meant as an authoritative source of information.

The principal legislation dealing with the control of birds is the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. Generally, it is illegal to capture, injure and destroy any wild bird or interfere with its nest or eggs. The penalties for disregarding the law are severe.

However, where legal methods of gull control have been unsuccessful, an owner, tenant or occupier of a property, can apply to NatureScot for a license to take actions that would otherwise be an offence. Licenses are only granted where wild birds pose a threat to public health or safety and there is no satisfactory alternative.

See more information on licenses on the nature.scot website.

Gulls and the law

This is a brief guide only and not meant as an authoritative source of information.

The principal legislation dealing with the control of birds is the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. Generally, it is illegal to capture, injure and destroy any wild bird or interfere with its nest or eggs. The penalties for disregarding the law are severe.

However, where legal methods of gull control have been unsuccessful, an owner, tenant or occupier of a property, can apply to NatureScot for a license to take actions that would otherwise be an offence. Licenses are only granted where wild birds pose a threat to public health or safety and there is no satisfactory alternative.

See more information on licenses on the nature.scot website.

Who can take action on gulls

Only the owner of a building or the occupier can take action against any gulls on it although the works can be carried out by a pest controller or other professional

In practice there are very few humane methods to kill gulls and skill and experience is needed to deploy them. Shooting nesting gulls on roofs is considered neither humane nor safe.

It is the responsibility of the owner of property to protect it against gulls nesting on it. Find more guidance on gull management on the nature.scot website.

It is the responsibility of the owner of property to protect it against gulls nesting on it. Find more guidance on gull management on the nature.scot website.

How to stop gulls from nesting

You may be able to reduce or break up colonies of nesting birds by using deterrents. If you own or occupy a building which attracts gulls you can:

• fit long spikes to nesting locations such as chimney-stacks
• fit short spikes to nesting locations such as dormer roofs
• fit wires or nets to prevent gulls landing

How to stop gulls from scavenging

Gulls hunt for meals in bins and take food when it is dropped on the ground. You can help reduce the amount of food available and stop them foraging by:

• Not feeding gulls
• Keeping food out of sight
• Storing your waste securely to prevent gulls getting into bags
• Disposing of your litter properly