Venice to build giant aerosol sprays to deter hungry seagulls

Officials in Venice are set to install giant aerosol devices to deter aggressive seagulls that are attacking tourists and swooping in to steal food from restaurant tables.

The birds have become so menacing that waiters in St Mark’s Square are now forced to place covers over food before carrying it to customers.

The Saint Mark’s Association, which runs the square, tried playing recordings of falcon calls last summer, and also flew a remote-controlled falcon-shaped ballon, but both efforts failed.

They have now approached a company which has developed a “seagull repellent” that can be diffused throughout the square to keep the birds at bay.

Marilena Cascone, of perfume firm Seneca Rouxair, said: “Our system works by releasing an aerosol of essential oils into the air. The oils are not harmful to humans but birds don’t like them.

“Not only will it keep the birds out of the piazza, it should also reduce their desire to reproduce which will mean the number of seagulls and pigeons will fall.”