Birdhouses are a charming addition to any garden, providing a safe haven for our feathered friends. They not only add a touch of beauty to our outdoor spaces but also offer important nesting opportunities for birds. However, like any other structure, birdhouses require maintenance to ensure their longevity and usefulness. In this cleaning solutions blog post, cleanhouseguides.com will explore the topic of when to clean out bird houses?. So, whether you’re a seasoned birdhouse enthusiast or just starting out, join us as we delve into the world of birdhouse maintenance.
1. When To Clean Out Bird Houses?
When to clean out bird houses? You should deep clean bird cages two times a year: immediately following and immediately before breeding season. Typically, this refers to the beginning of March and September. This entails clearing the home of all nesting materials and cleaning it with a bleach solution made of one part bleach to nine parts water.
You can clean the nest box during breeding season if you keep a careful eye on the family that is living within. Once the chicks have flown the coop, you may clean your box if a family is residing inside of it. Just take out the old nest, clean the box, and throw the old nest away. If the nest appears neat and empty, put it back in the box. It can save the next family time by not requiring them to build a new nest. But if the following family decides it’s not sufficient for them, they may wipe everything away and start over.
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2. When To Clean Out Bird Houses? How To Do It?
After the breeding season is through and the final baby birds have fledged the nest, bird homes should be completely cleaned. It might be cleaned as early as the end of the summer, depending on the kind of birds that have utilized the home. The optimal time to make sure all bird homes are cleaned is mid to late October. Cleaning a birdhouse entails:
- Keep the house as much as possible open. Several designs have movable sides, tops, or fronts for easy access. A panel might need to be taken apart in order to clean it completely.
- Scrape away any garbage that has accumulated and get rid of any outdated nesting materials. This waste can be disposed of in the trash or added to a compost pile.
- Scrub the home with a moderate bleach solution, being careful to get into all the cracks and crevices, to thoroughly clean and sterilize it. Additionally, clean any hooks, poles, or posts that are used in the home.
- To get rid of any remaining chemicals and make sure all dirt is wiped away, give the house a thorough rinse in clean, clear water.
- Clean out any debris-filled drainage or ventilation openings. Drill a few extra holes if necessary to enhance drainage and ventilation.
- To break down any lingering chemicals and make sure there is no moisture left that might result in mold or mildew, completely dry the house in direct sunshine.
- Check the integrity of the home’s seams and hinges, get rid of any large splinters, and make any necessary repairs.
- Make sure the home is securely fitted and ready for the upcoming family of nesting birds before reassembling it.
3. When To Clean Out Bird Houses? Do Birdhouses Need To Be Cleaned Every Year?
When to clean out bird houses? At the beginning and conclusion of the breeding season, birdhouses need unquestionably be thoroughly cleaned. This aids in ectoparasite management, particularly if rats use the box throughout the winter. Additionally, it helps with old feathers, dander, and dust.
Cleaning in between broods is also beneficial for ectoparasite management. Birds normally build one nest for the first brood and then move it to a new location for the second. If a box is not cleaned, the following family can encounter an infestation or decide not to nest there at all.
Some species, like wrens, do an excellent job of maintaining their houses and getting rid of parasites, while other species—let’s just say bluebirds—are not as diligent. So, cleaning your boxes in between broods offers advantages in reducing ectoparasites, dander, and dust.
It’s acceptable if you don’t feel confident getting rid of nests because you’re unsure whether the family still uses it and don’t want to take a chance throwing out their bed or because you’re unsure if they still use it as a bed. Really, as long as everything is cleaned up at the end of the season, it is not the end of the world if nests are left inside at that time.
4. When To Clean Out Bird Houses? Do Birdhouses Get Cleaned By Birds?
Short version: Some do, some don’t.
Wrens are renowned for diligently rebuilding an old nest or cleaning up their bird cages. When chickadees have selected their box, they eagerly toss off previous nesting materials. However, bluebirds will repeatedly layer new nests on top of older ones by building one over the other.
