Rentokil warns of gull attacks on communities

06 June, 2008

Alfred Hitchcock's film may have been for the birds, but it looks like his lark about winged attackers may come true this summer.

Rentokil is predicting our towns and cities will be faced with an airborne assault from feathered white missiles.

Gulls in the midst of their breeding season will be preying on their victims with piercing noise and even physical attacks.

According to Rentokil, litterbugs are to blame.

"The gull population is thriving as a result of widespread food source mainly from litter on the streets and discarded scraps from fast food restaurants, all of which provide a tasty meal for these scavengers," said a spokesman.

"They are at their loudest and most violent between April and August, disrupting those who live near their nesting sites with their mating calls and, in the worst cases, attacking passers-by."

While seagulls used to inhabit coastlines and feed off the coastal fishing industry, they are now moving to towns and cities.

"Their migration inland mirrors the activity of pigeons, which have gradually moved inland, as food sources have become readily available. In addition, the litter on the streets and other easily available food offer the birds a fatter diet, helping the young to become strong and healthy, increasing their chances of survival," said Rentokil.

However, unlike pigeons, gulls commonly attack pedestrians using their feet or beaks, if they feel their young are in danger. It is not only their aggresive nature that results in calls from residents to tackle the pests, the birds are also extremely noisy, calling for up to 23 hours a day.

Rentokil said the public can help by being more careful with their litter and can prevent the birds from nesting on their buildings through installing netting, anti-roost spiking and wires to disrupt their colonies and breeding habits.

"Unless such steps are taken the damage and disruption caused to the local community and its people, is only set to get worse," said the firm.