Tidy Up

Get birdhouses ready for occupancy

BY: Gail Johnson

Birds will sing your praises if you give them a clean place to live this spring.

• Remove debris, old nesting materials, and dead insects from nest boxes and birdhouses. These can be breeding grounds for parasites that kill young birds.

• Check for items that could harm birds, such as exposed nails, slivers, damaged roofs, and split posts.

• Before purchasing new boxes, make sure the top or one side of the birdhouse is hinged or lifts out for easy cleaning.

Comments

By mblackmore Monday, February 27, 2012 2:21 PM

Is this all there is to do. Do I need to use something inside to sterilze it?

By requinn3 Monday, February 27, 2012 11:51 PM

Sterilize it? Really? They're birds. Just give them a safe environment.

By Barbara Eubank Tuesday, February 28, 2012 2:24 PM

Birdhouse is cute too

By wrothen Saturday, March 03, 2012 8:51 AM

About when should a birdhouse be ready? I live in hardiness zone 4, in Minnesota; and wonder which are the first birds that start preparing their nests in my region, and when they start nesting? Of course, given the changeability of the weather; start times will vary from year-to-year; and, so, am interested in finding an approximate time when I should have birdhouses ready.

By phedden Saturday, March 03, 2012 10:21 PM

Take your birdhouses down and clean them well in early spring before the birds that will use them return. Because birds or small mammals that overwintered in your yard may have found shelter from the cold in your birdhouses, even those cleaned in the fall need another scrubbing, advises The Birder's Report website.

By mpspence52 Thursday, March 08, 2012 7:43 AM

A good spring cleaning for the birds is a good idea. However, scrubbing with what product? I read or heard it someplace but don't remember what to use. Bleach water? Vinegar water? Does anyone know what to use?

By rkirwan1 Thursday, March 08, 2012 4:44 PM

I need to know what size the hole needs to be for Swallows. (Not barn swallows). I know it is smaller that for a wren. But, I want to be sure.

By mdavis30 Wednesday, March 14, 2012 7:37 AM

what size does a bird house need to be as in the holes....etc

By whull1 Tuesday, April 09, 2013 10:40 AM

I use bleach water for my bluebird houses. About a 1/4 cup of bleach to a scrub bucket (3-4 gallons). This does not have to be precise. Then let the bird houses air out for about a 1/2 hour or so. Prop the side open so air blows through it. Our bluebirds come back every year!

By GardenStudent Wednesday, April 10, 2013 8:51 AM

It is funny to me that I come across this article today.. cuz just yesterday I was looking at my birdfeeders in the back yard. Only one still has any food in it.. and I thought about cleaning (warm water only) them and found myself thinking ... Didn't the birds survive years before we came along and started putting out bird feeders and scrubbing them with harsh cleaners ??? We also have quail along with the birds and squirrels...none of my bird seed gets wasted!! I am curious as to what others think of this ... Have a great gardening day! LM Boise, ID zone 6

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Tidy Up

Get birdhouses ready for occupancy

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Current Articles \| Archives \| Search Tidy Up Get birdhouses ready for occupancy BY: Gail Johnson 10 Birds will sing your praises if you give them a clean place to live this spring. • Remove debris, old nesting materials, and dead insects from nest boxes and birdhouses. These can be breeding grounds for parasites that kill young birds. • Check for items that could harm birds, such as exposed nails, slivers, damaged roofs, and split posts. • Before purchasing new boxes, make sure the top or one side of the birdhouse is hinged or lifts out for easy cleaning. Comments By mblackmore Monday, February 27, 2012 2:21 PM Is this all there is to do. Do I need to use something inside to sterilze it? By requinn3 Monday, February 27, 2012 11:51 PM Sterilize it? Really? They're birds. Just give them a safe environment. By Barbara Eubank Tuesday, February 28, 2012 2:24 PM Birdhouse is cute too By wrothen Saturday, March 03, 2012 8:51 AM About when should a birdhouse be ready? I live in hardiness zone 4, in Minnesota; and wonder which are the first birds that start preparing their nests in my region, and when they start nesting? Of course, given the changeability of the weather; start times will vary from year-to-year; and, so, am interested in finding an approximate time when I should have birdhouses ready. By phedden Saturday, March 03, 2012 10:21 PM Take your birdhouses down and clean them well in early spring before the birds that will use them return. Because birds or small mammals that overwintered in your yard may have found shelter from the cold in your birdhouses, even those cleaned in the fall need another scrubbing, advises The Birder's Report website. By mpspence52 Thursday, March 08, 2012 7:43 AM A good spring cleaning for the birds is a good idea. However, scrubbing with what product? I read or heard it someplace but don't remember what to use. Bleach water? Vinegar water? Does anyone know what to use? By rkirwan1 Thursday, March 08, 2012 4:44 PM I need to know what size the hole needs to be for Swallows. (Not barn swallows). I know it is smaller that for a wren. But, I want to be sure. By mdavis30 Wednesday, March 14, 2012 7:37 AM what size does a bird house need to be as in the holes....etc By whull1 Tuesday, April 09, 2013 10:40 AM I use bleach water for my bluebird houses. About a 1/4 cup of bleach to a scrub bucket (3-4 gallons). This does not have to be precise. Then let the bird houses air out for about a 1/2 hour or so. Prop the side open so air blows through it. Our bluebirds come back every year! By GardenStudent Wednesday, April 10, 2013 8:51 AM It is funny to me that I come across this article today.. cuz just yesterday I was looking at my birdfeeders in the back yard. Only one still has any food in it.. and I thought about cleaning (warm water only) them and found myself thinking ... Didn't the birds survive years before we came along and started putting out bird feeders and scrubbing them with harsh cleaners ??? We also have quail along with the birds and squirrels...none of my bird seed gets wasted!! I am curious as to what others think of this ... Have a great gardening day! LM Boise, ID zone 6 Post Comment Only registered users may post comments.