Pigeons on the façade: why it is the community's problem and what can be done

It starts with a nest in the light well and ends with a ruined façade, unusable washing lines and a neighbour with breathing problems. Pigeons are a classic that almost never gets tackled in time.

It is not a cosmetic matter

Droppings are acidic: they degrade cornices, railings and roofs, and their build-up is a genuine public health problem. That is why keeping the common areas in decent condition is the community's duty, not somebody's obsession.

What actually works

• Netting across light wells and openings: the most effective measure, and the most discreet.
• Spikes on cornices, parapets and common window ledges.
• Sealing access to false ceilings and blind boxes, which is where they nest.
• Cleaning with protective equipment when removing build-up: it is a job with a health risk, not a bucket of water.

All of this counts as conservation work: a simple majority is enough and, depending on the amount, not even an extraordinary meeting.

What you must NOT do

Methods that harm or kill the birds. It is prohibited and carries a fine. Protected species — swifts, swallows, house martins — have reinforced legal protection: their nests cannot be removed, not even empty ones, without authorisation. If they turn up on your façade, ask before touching anything.

The neighbour who feeds them

This is the delicate part, because it is usually an elderly person acting out of kindness. It is worth explaining tactfully: feeding them multiplies the colony, and many councils fine it expressly. Before a row at the meeting, a calm conversation solves half the cases.

The sensible order

A quote from a specialist firm, a check for protected species, installation outside the breeding season where possible, and a clean beforehand. Doing it properly once is cheaper than repeating it every spring.