Don’t you hate it when seagulls decide to nest in your chimney? These birds seem to pick the worst possible home — the chimney. How do the birds find their way to chimneys?
How do they find a good chimney to nest in? Why do they even do this?
The answers to these questions may surprise you.
Even more, once you know the reasons behind this behavior, you may be able to begin taking steps to keep seagulls from nesting in your chimney.
Preventing seagulls from nesting in your chimney may take some time and effort, but it’s definitely possible. Here are some tips on preventing seagulls from nesting in your chimney.
Let’s start now.
What are Seagulls?
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Seagulls are big waterbirds having long wings.
They live mainly on fish and smaller marine animals such as crabs. The feathers of seagulls allow them to fly and they hunt at sea.
They prefer to live near water.
Seagulls are distinguished by their white feathers, black-tipped wings and aggressive territorial behavior.
Seagulls live off a variety of marine animals but prefer the food from fish.
Seagulls are not migratory; once they select a location, they stay and raise their young there.
Because seagulls like to congregate in many of the same areas, there is a great risk of colliding with one while flying.
Seagulls reproduce and make nests out of almost anything, including plastic grocery bags, dishdashas, and straws.
Seagulls are known for their scavenging habits and for swooping in on tourists, causing them to lose their balance, laugh, or scream.
This is the period when they will try to empty out all flammable liquid and merchandise from chimneys.
Unfortunately, seagulls seeking for a secure home can wreak havoc on chimneys, actually causing fires.
Why Do They Nest on Chimneys?
Chimneys are ideal places to raise young families because they put chicks and eggs right out in the open.
If predators were to try to attack the young seagulls, they would still be in danger from predators.
Most chimneys have apertures wide enough to trap and swallow a bird.
A nest atop a chimney can withstand long bouts of rain and snow without getting soggy. Seagulls usually lay two eggs in their nests. A female seagull guards her young until the eggs hatch.
However, the major reason seagulls choose chimneys to build their nests on is because their perch offers them protection from birds of prey and other predators.
How to Stop Seagulls from Nesting on Chimneys
Most deterrents, such as false owls and cat noises, are designed to frighten gulls away from the roof.
These might scare off gulls and discourage them from landing on a roof, but there are more effective methods. Many species of birds lay eggs in nests.
Many species of birds lay eggs in nests that are attached to their residence by a string or rope.
This location offers the bird extra security from the predators that eat fledgling birds.
Bird nesting materials are very desirable for seagulls. If a seagull sees that your roof is infested with owls, he’ll avoid it.
The following are seven typical strategies to stop seagulls in your chimney
Water Guns
These are most useful when used in conjunction with a motion detector so that they’ll go off when birds cluster around your chimney.
Water blasters are harmless to birds and other animals because the water doesn’t reach them.
The birds will simply fly away before the water reaches them. If you are worried about harming nearby wildlife, you can invest in sound emitters that emit a high-pitched noise to discourage the birds.
This device models the sound of predatory owls, which humans can hear but birds cannot. The sound emitters are harmless and can be used indoors or outdoors.
These water pistols may also be used to flush out or chase away other birds like pigeons or grackles.
They are completely harmless fish-safe, so they are perfectly safe to use in places where children and pets might play. They are also perfect for temporary or seasonal use.
Reflectors
Once the seagulls find out that the fake owls and other predators aren’t genuine, they stop working.
Reflectors are more efficient at scaring off seagulls, as other predators like owls are easily recognized.
Reflected light frightens even seagulls, so place them around your yard or where your dogs eat.
Noise
If you reside in a rural area, having anything that produces the noise, such as a crowing rooster, will make the birds from migrating away.
If you’re going to be gone for an extended period of time, use a strong natural repellent, such as cinnamon, to keep seagulls away.
Your chimney has the lowest chance of being invaded by seagulls, but considering these tips may help eliminate the problem.
A random explosion from a cannon or gunshot will scare off seagulls, which find noise unappealing.
Seagulls will stop flying overhead if you shine a flashlight into them. Balloons fly up and hit a ceiling, and they often pop when they strike.
A popped balloon floating down will frighten seagulls, catch them off guard, and make them drop to the ground.
You have other noise-making devices and noise-canceling devices in your home, such as your TV, computer, and stereo.
Dogs
A sheepdog is the most ideal way to scare seagulls away.
Seagulls will normally avoid a dog that is larger than they are.
If your dog is suspicious, he may start to bark and meow. This may make seagulls believe that another animal is nearby.
Keep in mind, however, that seagulls are protected under international treaty.
So, if your dog catches and kills a seagull, it may not be protected.
Cover the Chimney
Seagulls will not be able to establish a nest if you cover the whole chimney.
Most bird-proofing measures will work if you place them on your roof or chimney.
The grate keeps the feathers in and the birds out.
Seagulls have such sensitive hearing that they may be able to hear airflow through the chimney, so masking the noise may keep them away for some time.
Utilizing a chimney cage to cover the chimney may prevent seagulls from breeding there.
Avoid Feeding Them
A seagull will be less interested in feeding off your roof if you eat away from it or outdoors.
Feeding seagulls will only lead to them landing on your property because it allows them to get used to the area without the risk of being noticed by predators.
Many seagulls will try to land on your listing if your property has food on it.
Feeding seagulls is arguably the worst thing you could do for your property.
Feeding seagulls is a risky proposition, as their tendency to spread diseases to humans and their pets make humans especially susceptible.
Seagulls nest in chimneys, on roofs, and in attics, and their droppings can quickly cause other pests, such as mice, rats, and roaches, to multiply.
Professional Assistance
If you’ve tried one or more ploys, but none of them have worked, contact a pest control professional.
Professionals often utilize exclusion devices to discourage seagulls from returning.
Exclusion devices include electrical devices (such as radios with audio), noisemakers (such as bangers or toy trumpets), and fake owls.
You may also contact a professional and ask to attach a hood to your chimney.
This contraption prevents seagulls from seeing the edge and drawing inspiration from it.
If you reside near the seaside, then you likely have a seagull problem, which a professional should be able to help you with.
Also Read:Â Why So Many Crows All of a Sudden?
Conclusion
Seagulls are aquatic birds that live in many different climates all over the world.
They like to live near water—especially in cities near the ocean. For this reason, they often seek shelter in chimneys.
They may, however, utilize their excellent hunting abilities to nest on your chimney.
If you don’t want them on your land, remove the food source and make their new house somewhere else.
Hopefully, they will not return after you’ve taken care of the seagull problem.
