COVER STORY A BIRD’S-EYE VIEW
Once associated with British coastlines, an increasing number of gulls now favour urban areas. Here, Beaver Pest provides an overview of avian-related
issues and explains how they solved a college’s pest problem with their innovative bio-acoustic deterrent system.
The Birds As intelligent and adaptable animals that exist in large numbers, gulls will traditionally nest on cliffs and ledges. In towns, however, they will often favour large and flat roofs, mainly in industrial and commercial districts. Here they face less competition and have a much closer proximity to food. Some species are very large and can be very aggressive, particularly during their breeding season. Gulls also have a destructive nature, pecking at any materials including rooftops, insulation and ducting in proximity to their habitat, often causing significant damage.
Other hazards posed by gulls include slip and fall liability from guano build-up. Accumulation of nesting materials and debris can restrict the flow of rainwater leading to potential blockages and floods. As well as this, the bacteria, fungal agents and ectoparasites found in gull droppings can also carry serious diseases including Ornithosis, Escherichia coli (
E.Coli) and Salmonellosis (Salmonella).
Gulls are very territorial, they will return to their nesting areas year-on-year. It is therefore paramount, once the problem has been identified, to look into long- term sustainable options of deterring birds from the property.
According to a recent report by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), the Gull population is decreasing overall, especially Herring Gulls which are now a red listed species. While the Lesser Black-backed Gull is not red listed we would advise that proofing is the most sustainable way to protect buildings whilst complying with the law and protecting the species.
The Background Our specialist 10-man bird team provides innovative multi-system solutions which are cost effective and sustainable. These range from the standard spiking, bird wire and netting services to the more innovative services such as Avishock, Bird Free Gel, Bio-acoustics’ and Laser systems.
Work for Ravensbourne College was carried out in July 2016, and is still fully operational nearly two years later. Since the installation of the bio-acoustic system there have been no further issues with the gulls.
Ravensbourne in North Greenwich has seen a 100% reduction in two bird species, the Lesser black-backed gull and Pigeons, since the innovative bio-acoustic deterrent system was installed in July 2016.
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The Building Ravensbourne is an innovative, industry-focused university sector institution with a hugely talented community of staff, students and creative businesses. Based in North Greenwich in close proximity to the O2 Arena. Ravensbourne specialises in design, media and fashion courses. The striking open plan building was designed for collaboration and creative working - winning the prestigious RIBA award for most innovative higher education building in London in 2011.
Proofing is the most sustainable way to protect buildings
whilst complying with the law and protecting the species.
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