Seagulls flying around your dock or boats are a pest. They steal your food, poop all over your boat, and are an overall annoyance. Their droppings are acidic and can cause damage to boats. They also risk spreading diseases in their droppings.
So, what can you do to keep seagulls off your dock?
One thing to remember when dealing with a seagull problem is that if seagulls are in the area, they are often there for a reason: food. Keep all food sources away from seagulls as much as possible. If seagulls realize there is a food source around, they will continue to come around looking for food.
In addition to not feeding the gulls on purpose, also cut off their food supply. Do not leave discarded food around on boats and docks. Cover up garbage or move it to a more suitable location. If the seagulls don't have a food source on the boating docks, they will have less reason to stay in the area.
After removing food, the next seagull prevention method is to cut off their nesting grounds. This is best done in the spring before seagulls get a chance to build their nests.
Bird nesting grounds are best blocked off with bird netting. Common bird nesting grounds include on rooftops, chimneys, and near trash areas. Nesting birds like covered, enclosed locations where they are protected from predators and the elements. Most of the time, these areas can be netted off. This will stop the gulls from nesting and remove a major impetus for them to be in the area.
Bird netting excludes birds with 100% effectiveness if installed properly. It is a long-term solution that lasts 20+ years and will survive all weather situations. Bird netting can be installed yourself from a retail store like Home Depot or you can hire a bird control company to install it for you.
If you don't block off seagull nesting areas, you run the risk of the birds nesting and staying in the area. Once the birds nest, they are much harder to get rid of. The nesting birds also multiply, amplifying your seagull problem.
Along with implementing seagull prevention methods (removing bird food sources and nesting grounds), it is also wise to install seagull deterrence methods (to block out any remaining gulls).
Seagull grid deterrent wire is one way to block seagulls out. Seagull grid deterrent wire is a series of raised poles with wire spread across in a grid formation. The grid of wire makes it so that seagulls cannot descend onto the area below. This is a great option for deterring the birds from docks or marinas.
Ledge modification techniques are another method for stopping birds. Seagulls tend to perch, where they will congregate in flocks and spread droppings below. Bird spikes are one way to prevent gulls from perching on ledges. Spikes are placed on the ledge and stop medium-sized birds like gulls from being able to land.
Bird spikes do not in any way kill or hurt the birds; they just prevent them from being able to land on that surface.
Electric shock tracks are another bird control technique for ledges. Shock tracks are placed over a surface or ledge and give a small electric shock if a bird tries to land on it. Birds grow to stop landing on the surface and find somewhere else to go. These are often used on rooftops and business signs to keep birds out.
Like bird spikes, electric tracks do not harm or hurt the birds.
Ultrasonic devices are another type of bird control method for keeping seagulls off docks. These devices broadcast frequencies that humans cannot hear, but seagulls can. The gulls will hear the frequencies broadcast and fly away to avoid them.
Sonic devices work similarly. These devices send out seagull predator cries and seagull distress signals, warning birds to stay away from the area.
Remember that seagulls are protected by the Migratory Bird Act of 1918. It is illegal in North America to move an active seagull nest or harm seagulls in any way. Your best options are bird prevention (removing food sources and nesting grounds) and bird deterrence (blocking birds off with netting and ledge modification).
Summary: The best way to keep seagulls off docks is to remove their food sources and block off their nesting grounds with bird netting. Then you can install deterrent devices like seagull grid deterrent wire, bird spikes, shock tracks, or sound machines to block out any remaining gulls.
Benefits of Keeping Seagulls Off Docks:
Remove Annoying Seagulls
Lower Bird Droppings
Remove Bird-Borne Disease Risk
Remove Bird Nest Fire Risk
Keep Birds Out
If you have a bird problem, we can help. AviAway professionally installs bird control solutions for all bird species. We have 30+ years of experience in bird control and have performed work for companies like Amazon, Rite Aid, and the U.S. Postal Service. Click here or call 844-247-3373 to request a free bird control quote.
We also offer free bird control consultations. Click here to set up a free consultation and talk with one of our bird control experts about solving your bird problem.