by Alex A. KecskesIf you own or operate a seaside resort, you know the problems pest birds like gulls can create. Large birds like these can invade private outdoor areas, including pools, spas, patios and beachside bars. They can become a real nuisance in outdoor eating areas as they scavenge for food scraps, poop on tables, soil chairs and lounges. Guests accustomed to being pampered won’t easily forget the traumas or problems they encountered with pest birds. And word of mouth in this Internet and social media age can quickly ruin a resort’s sterling reputation. As birds continue to harass your resort’s guests, you’ll find yourself spending more time in cleanups and having to comp annoyed guests for their “experience with birds.”Gulls can also create maintenance and repair problems throughout your resort. Rooftop AC units, lighting systems and security cameras can be blocked or rendered non functional by gull droppings and nests. Pool and spa filters will require more frequent attention as droppings and nest debris contaminate them. As you may already have discovered, gulls can be aggressive and persistent. You can blast them with a water hose or slap at them with towels, but they’ll come back to pester and poop again. If you ever have a party where food is openly on display, your service staff will be working full time waving away gulls rather than paying attention to guests.Fortunately, you can now avail yourself of a variety of pest bird deterrents that will keep gulls from invading your resort and bothering your guests.Bird Sounds, But No Birds. The devices are called Sonic Bird Deterrents. And they sound like birds to humans, but birds are scared of them. These highly effective and humane bird deterrents can be discretely installed on patio covers, under eaves or inside gazebos. They’re ideal for getting rid of gulls from large outdoor areas because they emit predator and distress calls that make gulls really nervous. The best bird sonic systems have the ability to change the pitch, frequency, timing and intensity of the sounds they emit. If you have more than gulls pestering your resort, you might look into one popular system that emits distress and predator calls for as many as 22 types of birds. Go Solar, Say Bye-Bye to Birds. It’s known as the Solar Powered Bird Repeller, a clever device that uses motor-driven arms to flick gulls off certain troublesome areas. The arms whip around continuously at 30 RPM to “remind” even the most hard-headed gull that this is a no landing zone. Some bird repellers have adjustable “arms” that cover up to 5 feet in diameter. Keep in mind, these devices are solar powered, which makes them environmentally suitable for promoting your “green” bird proofing agenda. Solar powered repellers can be easily set up on patio covers, gazebos, rooftops and other elevated areas. They even store the sun's energy for efficient, uninterrupted day-and-night operation.Spike the Landing Zones. Strategically placed plastic bird spikes can prevent gulls from landing on the perches they normally use before they swoop down and annoy guests. The best plastic bird spikes are rugged, U.V. protected deterrents that stay strong in wind and sun. Some manufacturers offer a full 5-year guarantee on their plastic bird spikes. This covers the spike against UV degradation. For those concerned about aesthetics, plastic bird spikes have the added advantage of coming in a wide range of colors--including white, tan, gray, black, brown, brick red and even crystal clear. So that should assuage your worries about spikes being too noticeable. Even custom colors are now available. Plastic bird spikes are economical, too—important if you happen to be on a tight bird-control budget. Finally, the spikes are blunted at the tips, so they won’t injure birds or installation crews.