Every home has cherished spaces https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terrace_(building) that embody tranquility and comfort. It’s important to remember that not every issue at home is an immediate crisis; many evolve quietly over time, subtly impacting our well-being. So, welcome to “When Uninvited Guests Occupy More Than Us : The Terrace We Had To Reclaim”.

What may initially appear to be a minor inconvenience can grow into a more significant challenge, and neglecting it can only worsen the situation. What once felt familiar may start to feel unsettling, shifting our responses to something that really deserves our attention and care.

To know the deets of after being away for too long, we reopened a life not just the place, click on After Being Away Too Long : We Reopened A Life Not Just The Place – Wander, Feast & Thrive

The terrace we had to reclaim : when uninvited guests occupy more than us

While we were away for three and a half years, pigeons took over our balcony, laying eggs on the cupboard where I keep my washing supplies. They regularly visited, leaving feathers, dirt, and waste that made the space difficult to maintain. What began as a small issue soon required regular cleaning to ensure hygiene and comfort in the house.

People often express concerns about the health risks associated with pigeon droppings, which has caused us some worry. After celebrating Pongal in January, we cleaned our house, especially the balcony. My house help and her husband did a great job restoring it. However, to our dismay, pigeons returned almost immediately, laying eggs on the cupboard and reminding us of nature’s challenges.

Seeing this repeated behavior, we decided to handle the issue properly. My dad and husband used old boxes from our house shifting to block the cupboard space. They cut the boxes to size, taped them together, and placed old items inside for stability. The box was then placed on top of the cupboard, providing temporary relief from pigeons.

even after this, pigeons started entering : the terrace we had to reclaim

Even after this, pigeons started entering through the balcony railings and continued creating problems. They dropped waste on washed clothes that were kept for drying in the sun and also on washed dishes, which forced us to wash everything again. When no one was present, they made the entire balcony floor dirty. The constant movement, noise, and sudden flying inside the balcony started creating fear and discomfort while using the space.

My house help had to clean the balcony regularly for over two months after we returned home. The task was physically demanding and precarious, as the balcony was on a high floor, making cleaning challenging. Although pigeons are generally harmless, their waste and presence raised hygiene and health concerns we could not ignore.

The accumulation of droppings created a sanitation issue and unpleasant odors, making the balcony uncomfortable. To address this and enhance the outdoor space, we decided to install pigeon nets to prevent their entry and protect our belongings. This measure aimed to reduce cleaning efforts, allowing us to enjoy the balcony without constant maintenance stress.

we started looking for people who could install pigeon nets : when uninvited guests occupy more than us

We started looking for people who could install pigeon nets, and my house help helped us find a contact. The first person could not proceed, but we got another contact again through her. We called him, and he agreed to come the next day to inspect the balcony. We expected only a discussion and inspection, but he arrived with his team and was ready to begin the work immediately.

Two to three workers came and measured the balcony area in square feet and discussed the cost and process with my husband. After we agreed, they started the installation by drilling necessary spots and fixing the support for the net. There was a short power cut during the work, but they continued and completed the entire installation within two hours.

After they wrapped up and headed out, I couldn’t help but feel relieved knowing our balcony was finally safe with those pigeon nets. I took a moment to tidy things up again, putting everything back where it belongs. It was so nice to see how our terrace and balcony, which had become a bit of a mess, was now all cleaned up and turned back into a cozy hangout spot!