Sea Gull Control Techniques Sea gulls are a persistent problem at landfills, fish hatcheries, outdoor restaurants, and other coastal areas. Attempts to exclude gulls by scaring them are not very productive. Noisemakers, cannons, streamers, rockets, shotguns, and recorded distress calls are expensive and effective for only short periods of time. Networks of overhead wires keep sea gulls away from buildings and nearby areas. Effective systems consist of wires suspended horizontally in one direction or crisscrossed to form a grid of lines above the area needing protection.
Most networks use monofilament fishing line or stainless steel wire.
You can attach wires to existing buildings or fences, or to poles around the area needing protection. Advantages of monofilament line are lower cost, no tendency to kink, and ease of installation. Disadvantages include deterioration from exposure to sunlight and possible breakage if gulls fly into the lines. Stainless steel wire installs easily and is stronger than monofilament line, but it is more expensive. Researchers testing wire networks cannot explain why gulls are unwilling to fly through wires or lines.