gulls nesting on flat roofs
Gulls nesting on buildings are a serious problem.
On domestic properties such as houses and blocks of flats, gulls can build nests on flat roofs, dormers and chimneys stacks. The noise and mess they make can be very distressing to people, not to mention the potential for gulls to swoop down, attacking people they perceive as a threat to their young.
On large commercial buildings, an entire colony of gulls may nest on the roof. In addition to the mess and noise, a large amount of nesting materials could cause blocked gullies and gutters which could lead to potentially serious structural damage.
about gull netting
Similar in appearance as pigeon netting, the fixings used for gull netting are heavier duty due to the size of a typical gull net and also the stresses exerted on it. As gulls always favour the highest point on a building, nets are often exposed to extremely high winds so the framework supporting the netting needs to be sufficiently strong.
In addition to this, the size of the squares of the netting itself are larger to prevent gulls from being able to land on top of it.
As gull nests are protected, we cannot install gull proofing once the gulls have began nesting, therefore we usually install gull netting during the autumn and winter, well before the nesting season begins.
uses
Gull netting is generally used to prevent gulls from landing on flat roofs. From smaller flat areas such as dormers on domestic houses and flat roofs on blocks of flats to large commercial and industrial roofs, gull netting is the only way of physically preventing gulls from landing on a flat roof.
Due to the non-piercing design of our netting frameworks, no holes will be need to be made in the surface of the flat roof.
As it isn’t suitable for use in all areas, gull netting is often used in conjunction with other forms of deterrents such as spikes, Avishock or a post and wire system to keep them off of parapets or roof ridges.
installation
Gull netting consists of a framework of tensioned 3mm steel wire ropes held above the surface of the roof using steel upright support stanchions. These tensioned wires form a grid to which the 75mm polypropylene gull netting is attached to. This system keeps the netting taught and square which ensures that birds will not become entangled in it.
Depending on the requirements of the customer, the netting can be installed either just high enough to prevent the gulls from nesting or above head height to enable people to walk underneath it. This is useful for areas that require constant access.
As gull nets on roofs experience very high winds they require substantial anchorage to hold them in place and prevent damage to the roof. The stanchions are attached to either rubber feet or paving slabs to prevent damage to the roof and are kept in place using guy-wires which are attached to the fabric of the building (eg. a parapet wall).
