EXETER TV viewers are missing out on their favourite programmes because of pesky, pecking seagulls.
With the mating and breeding seasons over, the big white birds have taken to attacking TV aerials on flats near the quay.
Councillors have been in talks over what can be done – but the city's wings are clipped because the birds are protected.
Marian Snow who lives in the Southgate block of flats overlooking the river, said: "The gulls have twice broken my TV aerial and they are pecking away at the insulation around the aerial. That allows the water in and disturbs the signal.
"These birds are an absolute nuisance and menace."
Mrs Snow said she was aware some bird lovers provided food for the gulls. She said: "I have told them the problems. They just say they have to because there are no fish in the sea for them – but these are Exeter-born seagulls who have probably never even seen the sea!"
Exeter resident Brian Fentiman has joined the growing chorus calling for more control of the growing gull problem.
He added: "It seems that it's difficult to eat anything on sea fronts or even Exeter Quay and similar places near water without seagulls constantly trying to steal food from people.
"Last weekend I was having a barbecue in my rear garden. From nowhere a large seagull swooped down and lifted a chicken leg right off the top of the charcoal and flew off."
Seagulls, along with their eggs and fledglings, are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.
It is an offence to injure, kill or harm the gulls, nests or eggs unless done so under licence.
But help maybe at hand.
Darren Smith, who runs Isca Pest Control, said he had been busy this year gull proofing properties in Exeter.
He said: "You need an integrated defence system. It could be netting, spikes, or the new, Korean-made gel which is very effective as it creates an image of burning for the birds who see in ultra violet light.
"You can also oil the eggs in paraffin so they won't hatch but the birds will still sit on them. Or you could remove the nests when empty. "
Rentokil uses hawks to scare off the gulls.
Layla Bennett said: "Our hawks are trained to work in all types of environment as the service is popular across a range of clients.
"This method of control works by creating a 'hawk territory' which causes gulls to disperse."
If you have had a close encounter with a seagull call Mike Byrne 01392 442238.