Public warned of 'aggressive behaviour and infection' from certain birds this Autumn

Rentokil, Ireland’s leading pest control provider, advises the public and businesses to remain vigilant about gull activity as we enter autumn.

While the peak nesting season may be over, gulls will remain active in urban coastal areas, as they scavenge for food, which can lead to aggressive behaviour.

Gull droppings (also known as guano) also present a hazard as they can contain bacteria including E. coli and Salmonella, which can spread infection through surface contamination or inhaling bacteria from dried droppings.

The nests and roosting sites of birds also attract several pest insects such as bird mites, textile beetles, and fleas, so the presence of gulls at a residential or business premises can bring about infestations from other unwanted visitors.

Rentokil employs several safe and eco-friendly methods to help protect premises from gulls, including installing bird netting. 

Another solution offered by Rentokil, as part of an overall treatment strategy, is the Rentokil Intelligent Bird Scaring (RIBS) device. 

This innovative technology provides an effective and sustainable approach to bird deterrence without harming the birds. 

The RIBS device is designed to guard buildings 24/7 and can be controlled and monitored remotely via a tablet or smartphone app. 

It has an intelligent built-in listening system that recognises different bird species from their calls and identifies the best scare tool from a broad range to deter them.  It can detect a flock of birds within a 250-metre radius.

Colm Moore, Area Technical Manager with Rentokil, said:

"While the summer season has passed, gulls continue to search for food and can remain territorial. It is important to stay vigilant and implement preventive measures to minimise potential risks. 

“There are steps you can take yourself to prevent the presence of gulls at your home or business premises, such as:

• Removing food sources: Secure bins with a well-fitting lid and avoid leaving rubbish bags in the open.
• Blocking potential roosting sites: Use barriers over window ledges or other potential roosting spots.
• Consider decoys: Deploy fake birds of prey as deterrents in conjunction with the above steps. .

You can find out more about preventative measures for gulls and other birds on Rentokil’s website.”

Rentokil controls gull species in accordance with the EU Birds Directive and the Irish bird derogations and uses non-lethal methods to control all other species of birds if they become public health pests.