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For many UK gardeners, the sound of squabbling gulls overhead is a menacing noise. These large scavenger birds are increasingly moving inland in search of food. They will happily peck at food waste and dig up any grubs they find in your lawn, potentially leaving a mess behind.

Some simple changes to your outdoor space can help humanely deter these big birds. Experts at outdoor furniture provider Charles & Ivy have shared some tips to think about going into the autumn season.

‘Important to be aware’

Garden expert with the group, Alex Dobson, said: “If you live by the coast or in areas where seagulls are particularly prevalent, it is important to be aware of the ways to protect your garden from bird poo and general pest behaviour. The best way to discourage seagulls is to make your garden less rewarding.”

He shared some quick changes to make your garden less attractive for opportunistic seagulls:

• Keep bins securely closed
• Use bin storage so your bins are out of view and harder for gulls to access
• Clear away any food scraps
• If you have fruit trees, clear away fallen fruit
• Avoid leaving pet food outside.

Mr Dobson said his advice about clearing away food scraps is “especially important during heavy storms where bins are blown over”. Keeping on top of this could be important in the weeks ahead, as weather forecasters are predicting stormy weather could be on the way this autumn.

Experts say the El Niño event this year will be be especially severe, with high winds and storms set to batter the UK. The Met Office says this year’s event could be “the largest since the 19th century”.

‘Could help the most’

Mr Dobson said keeping any potential food out of sight is vital to keep the gulls at bay. He said: “Food is a huge motivator for seagulls, so keeping your garden tidy and free of food could help the most.”

You may also want to make some changes to the layout of your garden. The expert said: “A well-defined outdoor space with fencing, gates or screening can help prevent seagulls from accessing certain areas, particularly around outdoor dining spaces.”

In contrast, installing some visual features to repel gulls may not be that effective. Mr Dobson warned: “I’d avoid relying on fake predators or other visual deterrents.

“Birds can become accustomed to them, so removing food sources and managing access is usually the more sensible long-term approach.”