Birdhouse Maintainance

There are several maintenance items you should be aware of to make your birdhouses safe and comfortable for its’ occupants.  Here are a few:

Ventilation

Without air vents, boxes can turn into bird ovens. The two best ways to provide ventilation are to  leave gaps between the roof and sides of the box, or drill 1/4" holes just below the roof.  Remember our homes have ventilation vents to help with air in our homes.

Drainage

Water can become a problem when it sits in the bottom of the bird house.  A roof with sufficient slope and overhang offers some protection.  Drilling the entrance hole on an upward slant may also help keep the water out.

Regardless of design, driving rain will get in through the entrance hole.  You can assure proper drainage by cutting away the corners of the box floor and drilling 1/4 inch holes in the box floor. Nest boxes will last longer if the floors are recessed about 1/4 inch.

Entrance Hole

Most entrance and exit holes on the front panel near the top.  A rough surface both inside and out makes it easier for the adults to get into the box and, when it's time, for the nestlings to climb out.

If your box is made of finished wood, add a couple of grooves outside below the hole.  Open the front panel and add grooves, cleats, or wire mesh to the inside.   Never put up a bird house with a perch below the entrance hole.  Perches offer starlings, house sparrows, and other predators a convenient place to wait for lunch.

Don't be tempted by those beautiful duplexes or houses that have more than one entrance hole. With the exception of purple martins, cavity-nesting birds prefer not to share their birdhouse. While these condos look great in your yard, starlings and house sparrows are the only birds inclined to use them.

Accessibility

Bird houses should be easily accessible so you can see how your birds are doing and, when the time comes to clean out the house.  Part of being a responsible birdhouse landlord is your willingness to watch out for your tenants. Monitor your bird houses every week and evict unwanted creatures: house sparrows, starlings, rodents, snakes, and insects.

Be careful when you inspect your bird boxes. You may find something other than a bird inside. Don't be surprised to see squirrels, a mouse, a snake, or insects. Look for fleas, flies, mites, larvae, and lice in the bottom of the box.

If you find insects and parasites, your first reaction may be grab the nearest can of insect spray. If you do, use only insecticides known to be safe around birds: 1% rotenone powder or pyrethrin spray. If wasps are a problem, coat the inside top of the box with bar soap.

Take care of your birdhouses and enjoy the tenants.  To see many great looking birdhouses go to www.aboutbirdhouse.com.  See you in the next post.