Wearing This Pattern Might Stop Seagulls Stealing Your Fish and Chips, Expert Warns

With the summer holidays just around the corner, beachgoers are being warned to watch out for unwanted visitors this season: seagulls. Known for swooping in and stealing snacks, these birds are a common nuisance at coastal spots across the UK. But according to one expert, what you wear could be the key to keeping your food safe.

Fish and chip thieves on the rise

There are more than 171 million posts on TikTok for ‘feeding seagulls’, but experts strongly advise against it. Encouraging gulls to associate humans with food only makes the problem worse, especially for people trying to enjoy classic seaside treats like fish and chips.

With Google searches for ‘What do seagulls eat?’ up 50% in the last year, card payment provider Dojo asked seagull experts for advice on how to avoid losing your lunch.

Zebra stripes and bee patterns could be your secret weapon

Dr Neeltje Boogert, a research fellow in behavioural ecology at the University of Exeter, explained that gulls are opportunistic and will eat almost anything humans eat — though they’re less interested in vegetables. But clothing could play an unexpected role in deterring them.

“Many animals find highly contrasting patterns aversive, like zebra stripes or wasp/bee patterns,” said Dr Neeltje. “So there’s a chance they might initially be less keen to snatch ice creams, with alternating white (or yellow) and black stripes.”

Four expert tips to keep your food safe

Dr Neeltje also shared four practical ways to keep snacks out of a gull’s beak this summer:

1. Keep an eye on them
   “Gulls find the human gaze aversive and are less likely to approach your food when you’re staring them down.”

2. Eat under cover or against a wall
   “Eat underneath a parasol, umbrella, roof, or narrowly-spaced bunting, or with your back against a wall. Gulls need an easy or unobstructed approach & escape route if they’re going to steal your food. They will approach from behind, which is blocked when you’re standing against a wall, and they’re not comfortable flying underneath roofs or bunting.”

3. Zip your bags
   “Cover your food and zip up bags as they’re very familiar with grocery bags, crisp packets, and pasty bags, and they will rifle through your bags if unattended.”

4. Never feed them
   “Human food is bad for their health, and feeding encourages stealing.”

Advice for seaside businesses

Dojo is also urging hospitality businesses to take steps to prevent gulls from becoming a regular presence around cafés and restaurants. Customers are less likely to return if they feel harassed by birds while eating.

Simple measures such as closing bins, clearing food waste properly, and discouraging customers from feeding gulls can help keep premises clean and reduce the risk of attracting them.