AIBU to ask the housing association to remove birds from my wall? And if I'm not BU, how can I make them do it?

[BirdwomanofAlcatraz]

There are birds in the outside wall of my bedroom. I first became aware a couple of weeks ago when I heard them scratting around in the early morning and saw them flying back and forwards, also that there is bird poo on the inside of my window.

I phoned the housing association and told them but they knocked me back on four fronts: 1) that they don't believe the birds are in the walls, I need to have footage of them going in and out of the wall (I'm on the third floor, they're quick, I've tried standing outside with my phone and pressing record but they're too quick for me, really I stood there for a long time like a crazy person but it's split second movements when they go in and out)
2) that the marks on the window are just marks. They're not just marks. It's actual bird poo dropping down the window on the inside
3) that there's a pandemic on. Yes I know this but this is an infestation and I am concerned if fleas etc are also dropping down the window
4) the birds are probably in the eaves. Well if they were I wouldn't be concerned, but they're not. They're in the space directly above my window. I have seen them with my own eyes going in and out and so have my neighbours. There is a gap in the wall that they're getting in and out of.

What can I do? I've submitted a complaint after they dismissed my request for maintenance but not heard anything. As far as I know landlords do still have a duty to ensure their properties are not infested, even at this time. I pay my rent every month and haven't asked for a repair before. This is driving me crazy.

*NottherealSlimShady - if the bird shit is getting into the bedroom then the particles or dander will also be able to get in. Therefore allergies may be a concern, and of course, it's possible to pick up diseases from birds. And of course, bird fleas are possible. They may not live on humans but they can bite and if someone is immune suppressed that may be a problem.

The OP doesn't need to chill out about it, she needs help with the problem.

Uh one of my relatives has died as well, and my child has heath issues.
Does that mean I can be unreasonable and sweary and attack people trying to give helpful advice to a practical question?
Is their some kind of hierarchy of victimhood here?

Just wondering.

Try contacting your local council’s Environmental Health Department for advise.

The OP doesn't need to chill out about it, she needs help with the problem.

She’s been offered practical advice and one of them is that bird poo does not contain fleas.

Is there a reason you cannot just seal the vent and seal it well. You said you aren't using the window anyway so surely you can tape the hell out of it?
Just stop anything coming in for now and deal with the rest later.
Seems almost too simple

It's a long thread and I don't have time to read all of it but
a. do we know what birds they are?
b. do we know where they're nesting? Is it inside the airbrick
c. can you contact the rspb for advice?

In normal circs I'm sure that the OP would be a bit more chill about it, but being in isolation in a small flat with two small kids with health issues would make anyone slightly edgy surely. OP I do sympathise, and in your situation I would contact the RSPB first. Once this nest has been vacated, the HA can put some wire mesh over the air brick so they can't get in next time and can find a more suitable site.

@CJsGoldfish there is a good chance there are fledglings in there right now. Almost a certainty. Doing it now would be totally irresponsible without proper guidance from the right bodies.

Does rain get in the window?

@Nottherealslimshady but so do a lot of actions we take kill living things. I mean really going down that road is silly because everything we do will impact living things.

For the record I did not mean for the OP, to throw live animals in the bin. The rest I will own but not throwing live birds in a bin. I said the nest.

Yes you are right about rotting animals, they stink. However dead birds in foam are a lot easier to remove later on and also don't carry the risk of shitting all over the shop.

The reason she should not have to make do with taping a vent up, is because she does not want to and also from the sounds of it, it's not working.

She should not have to clean her window everyday because of a bird that should not be there. The flats in which she lives, are not part of wildlife, they are man made. If she lived in a woodland then ok.

We do kill things that inconvenience us tho, don't we? You may live in a house where rats, mice and foxes, woodworm and everything else is free to pass and poop but most of us don't. We remove them.

Yes you are right no one is asking OP to live in the shed because it's her home not the birds.

Are you sure its bird shit and not spider shit?
Spiders can make a hell of a mess and they like to take up residence in our window vents too from time to time.
Whether its spiders or birds a small squirt of bird friendly anti mite spray should get rid of any insects.

Whatever you do, do not get flea spray from Pets at Home or anywhere else, it is very toxic stuff and not to be used with allergies, it is bad at any time but really bad for anyone with any allergy or sensitivity. It might also harm the birds which although you seem to want them dead, I doubt you would want them dead in your home, rotting away in the warm weather.

LostDesire

So how do you suggest the OP gets to the nest three floors up to dispose of the birds?
If it were really that easy to fix don’t you think the HA would do it?
There are legal and logistical issues which is why everyone is saying seal the window as a temporary solution.
A rubber sealant would work and can be peeled off later.
As it is it seems like the window is the least of her problems and she needs help in lots of other ways.
Unfortunately her language and aggressive approach are not helping her with that.

Agreed! Bird friendly anti mite spray from the vets!!

@LostDesire so what should she do with the baby birds?
You cant just decide that becuase humans built a house that it now only can be used by humans and no other animals can use any part of it, especially when you cant tell them that. Because we use too much of the earth. If we take your stance, we'll eradicate too much wildlife then guess what. We wont all live in nice clean homes. We'll die. Because we actually need the birds, the flies, the bees, the foxes. So we have to accommodate them.
We dont own this planet. We cant just designate areas for our own use only.
Taping up a hole vs killing a family of birds shouldn't even be a question. Its hardly a big ask.

Surprisingly. I dont kill anything that comes into my property. I still have a clean, safe home. I clean, and make sure there are no holes to allow animals inside. You wouldn't know by coming I to my house that I dont kill wildlife, it looks just like anyone elses home.
I dont want my wage tax to go to people who chose not to work, I cant just kill them though can I?

@MrEzraGoldberg I put the complaint in two weeks ago. They're supposed to respond within 10 days but they haven't. Thank you for your condolences. It's been a really hard time.

@Namechangedforthisreply7 thank you for your understanding. I think I will contact environmental health.

I do know that the overall rule is that birds shouldn't be disturbed but you can if they're posing a risk and, sadly, these ones are. As I said hundreds of posts ago, I wouldn't mind if they were in the eaves - I'd like that, actually; it would be nice to look at. But they're not in the eaves, they're in my home, and how they live and the pests, diseases and parasites they harbour are not compatible with me and my family staying safe and well. So, that's how it is. I don't feel great about it, but I don't want to go on with the situation as it is for half a year more (ie until the end of nesting season) either.

@lostdesire I can't believe you're suggesting trapping baby birds. As I'v said I'v got them nesting in my wall but wouldn't dream of doing this. I also have a clean home, it is possible to co exist especially as it's for a short time period.

Op can you post a picture, I'm still unsure how the poo is getting in

@Ulver the OP will have to get up there or a friend as I said. It was a suggestion, just like everyone else's.

The HA are clearly not bothered, also with CV lockdown as others have said probably not even going to come out to see the problem.

You say a rubber sealant. I say foam it. I never said OP should follow my advice and ignore yours.

Fact is OP could end up with one of the birds dying anyway.
I said bin the nest or foam em. Yes the foam will kill them but it deals with the poop problem no?

You don't agree with me, I accept that. But my point stands, we are all full of double standards.

If it was rat, would you still say leave it? Because it's a live?

I feel, I'm repeating myself.

I don't know how the OP feels but I don't think I would stay calm if I asked for help and just got a load of crap about bird laws and sellotape tbh. However I can't say I would have spoken in the same way but there you go.

@LostDesire lol you are funny. I really don't want them to be harmed - I was hoping a specialist could move them or even build a box on the wall for them - Google tells me this is possible but it's ha so a pipe dream really plus I don't think my downstairs neighbours would be too pleased! - but this a load of crap about bird laws and sellotape yy it's absurd!

@orlarose yes but that's because you are happy to live with them. OP is not and is also sick of then shitting all over her inside window.

We kill animals all the time. Would you be happy with a rat nest? Or woodworm eating your house?

These birds could bring all sorts in. What if a flea bites her DC who is allergic?

@CJsGoldfish there is a good chance there are fledglings in there right now. Almost a certainty. Doing it now would be totally irresponsible without proper guidance from the right bodies

I think you misunderstood.
It seems a no brainer to just tape the hell out of the VENT where apparently there is a steady stream of bird shit flowing down the window. Can't imagine but anyway...
Seal up where that is coming from. How hard could it really be to block the shit coming through onto the window?
That's all you need to do for now. Deal with the rest later.

OP, why do you say they will nest there until autumn??

Nesting season.... i.e the period of time in which birds nest and raise their young lasts until autumn. The life cycle of one nest, like this one, will be much much shorter than that. If the chicks are hatched it will be three weeks from hatching to fledging, assuming they are starlings, much shorter than for other birds. If it’s already been going on a while then very shortly the birds will be fledged and you can block the hole up?

It’s been pointed out to you several times but you do keep saying autumn.....

Sorry much shorter IF it’s other birds.

@BirdwomanofAlcatraz glad I made you laugh in this stressful time

The birdbox sounds lovely. Can't see why a HA would care over a bird box, just put one up and to hell with the neighbors if they say anything send them on here, they will be flamed for being anti-bird.

I have the same problem actually lol

Everyday I hear them scratching and scuttling about in a corner above my window frame. I know it’s definately birds (Blue Tit’s) as when I knock the wall I see them fly out and perch on the tree outside.

They don’t lasts always leave after nesting though...they have lived in my roof since I moved in 3 years ago

@nottherealslimshady well the baby birds would be moved or killed by foam.

As a matter of fact, I can decide that a house built by humans, that's my home, will only welcome other humans and remove anything not welcome.

Fact is most do take my stance, see all these new houses being built? They are put on land that could be used for wildlife, but it's not is it? It once was tho.

Yes you are right we do need wildlife but that same wildlife such as birds, flies, bees, foxes and more are killed by humans all the time. You yourself can't say never once in your life have you not killed anything. Even walking down the street you kill things you don't see. Like that ant you never knew was there.

You say you don't kill thing on your property but then go on to say you make sure nothing comes inside? So you are not making your home a welcoming place for rats, mice and foxes? What about woodworm? Are they allowed in or just pooping wild birds? Which can carry worms?

The OP said nothing about outside spaces, these cheeky birds are in her home shitting inside her windows, dragging fleas and whatever else in.

Also these people who get your tax? Do you track your tax btw to see where it goes? Not all tax goes to welfare. Anyways as I was saying these people who get your wage tax, do they live in your house? Like these birds? And do these people shit on your inside windows?

Btw I hope you walk everywhere, never taking a car or bus or anything else that shits poison.