How to defend yourself from seagulls in the city

The first thing to do is reduce food sources, from overflowing garbage cans to leftovers from restaurants and bars. On the terrace, eagle and hawk silhouettes work, as do spices.

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remedies against seagulls
We are invaded by seagulls. In the cities, from Rome a Milan, passing through Venice and Padua, but now also in the beaches. The seagulls, in fact, have understood that there is no shortage of food, especially thanks to the large amount of waste that is in the streets, and so the bird symbolizes freedom and purity, carved in this way in a famous book by Bach, he has become a sort of arrogant master of our cities and in some cases of our homes, where there are terraces and attics.

Remedies against seagulls

Let's make a premise to avoid false urban myths: seagulls are not dangerous, their pecking, but it only happens in exceptional cases and when they feel threatened at the source of food, can also cause harm. In general, however, they only cause annoyance, discomfort, and they bring dirt. Both because they devour waste which they then leave in circulation (they are very good at emptying bins with food waste, from restaurants, fishmongers and butchers) both because they devour mice, placing themselves on the roofs and then leaving the carcasses abandoned.

How to defend yourself from seagulls 2

Photo credit: fotogeng / Shutterstock.com

How to keep seagulls away

How to defend yourself from seagulls? How to deal with its metamorphosis from a symbol of purity to a nuisance without causing havoc urban predatorHere is some advice, both at the local government level and for individual families and residents.

  • Fewer food sources

That is, reduce the disgraceful way in which, especially in many public establishments, they leave their waste after a day's work. And never feed a seagull: it's training it to do any kind of wickedness, just to get food.

  • Protections in outdoor bars

They're not yet seen in Italy, but sooner or later they'll arrive, just like in California, where the seagull phenomenon is very common. Since they've become accustomed to pecking at focaccia, sandwiches, and ice cream, in some American cities outdoor cafes are protected with small anti-gull nets.

  • Deterrents

These are long pins that, once placed on roofs, make it very difficult for seagulls to land or stay. There are various types available commercially, and there are also DIY techniques.

  • Silhouettes of hawks and eagles

These work very well on terraces: they scare away and keep seagulls away. And an ancient natural remedy works equally well, very simple and very effective: girandole.

  • CDs and spices

Here we enter the field of tricks, little known but certainly effective. cd They create a reflection of light that blinds seagulls and thus discourages them from flying in the area. Spices, in particular, cinnamon, Chili pepper and pepper, they give off odors that seagulls can't stand. And so they don't come near.

  • The sheepdog

The discovery is due to an American biologist, Elizabeth Wheeler Alm, who believes that a sufficient shepherd dog to reduce the very annoying presence of seagulls on beaches by 90 percent.

Why do seagulls scream?

We hear them cawing loudly at any time of day or night, especially at sea. But why do seagulls scream? Simply because they're chatting among themselves, joking and laughing, announcing the arrival of dawn. And they usually don't hide their joy.

Cover image photo credit: MZeta / Shutterstock.com

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