Herring Gull – Project to install netting to protect pitched roofs against nesting gulls

Herring Gulls (Larus argentatus) are large birds that are semi social and return to nest in the same location every year. They lay 3 eggs mainly from April to June. The eggs are incubated for 25 days before they hatch. They are opportunists and the photograph below shows a pair of Gulls building a nest on top of a bus. They lay 3 eggs mainly from April to June. The eggs are incubated for 25 days before they hatch. They are opportunists and the photograph below shows a pair of Gulls building a nest on top of a bus.

Herring gulls feed on waste food, for example takeaways, they have learnt to rip open rubbish bags and will visit waste transfer sites to find food.

Herring gulls can live for nearly 30 years.  Until recently nesting sites were often managed to remove eggs and reduce the number of fledglings produced.  Herring Gulls are at their most dangerous when protecting fledgling chicks.

Why is there a need for management of nesting gulls?

To protect the Health and Safety of maintenance workers who need to access roof top equipment. Climbing ladders and working at height is potentially dangerous without the additional risk of being harassed by aggressive gulls.

Prevention of water ingress or flooding. Gulls build nests using turf, sticks and other debris that can block gutters and gulley result in water penetration. Gull feathers, bones from food and carcasses of gulls can all block gutters and gullys. Prevention of blockage of chimneys and flues. Disease transmission – over 60 diseases can be transmitted by birds that affect man. E.Coli and Campylobacter are spread by Herring gulls. Infestation of flies and maggots can be caused by rotting food dropped onto roofs by Gulls. Case study project Our client has suffered with nesting gulls for a number of years and Rokill were invited to survey the site and propose a solution. A recent roofing project and building renovation encouraged the owners to look for a permanent resolution to the aggressive behaviour of the gulls and the constant fouling of vehicles and equipment with bird droppings. We decided to install a bespoke system using intermediate non penetrating perimeter brackets rigid cantilevered brackets fitted to the roof ridge, counterweighted to ensure the netting system will be durable and protect the roof for many years.

The roof consists of a twin ridge and central valley gutter. The image below illustrates the setting out process for the brackets and cables to support the netting. Another building on site consists of a single span roof.

A view of the net system from the side of the building.

The net system was installed using two different MEWPS and scaffolding to ensure safe access at all times.
View from above of the completed net system

View from the side of completed net system

Some gee whizz facts about the project

Summary

Installing a net system like this take time and expertise, Rokill operates a directly employed bird proofing division that only undertake bird proofing installations, they do not undertake general pest control, to ensure that our exacting standards are met. We believe that our team is the Best and we guarantee our projects.

If you have a project that we can help with please email us at [email protected] or call 01425 482001