We are entering into bluebird season - when those stalwart blue-feathered friends begin reappearing in our landscapes looking for mates and homes in which to raise their fledglings.
One easy thing you can do to help the population thrive is to clean out your bird boxes each Spring (March). Here's how:
Not all sources agree that cleaning out the boxes is needed, but if you are so inclined here are a few recommendations for how to do so in a manner safe for the birds:
Why clean boxes are important
Dirty bluebird boxes cause illness by harboring parasites like mites, blowfly larvae, and bacteria, which can lead to nestling death, stunted growth, and the spread of diseases like Aspergillosis or Avian pox.
Old, moldy nesting material can also make adults hesitant to reuse the box. Clean your boxes after each brood fledge, especially before nesting season.
One easy thing you can do to help the population thrive is to clean out your bird boxes each Spring (March). Here's how:
- Ensure that the entrance hole size is not enlarged or blocked. The round entrance hole should measure exactly 1-9/16 inches. No undesirable species can access a hole that size. For detailed information on exact specifications for a Mountain/Western Bluebird box, click here.
- Repair or replace cracked or rotten wood
- Check to make sure that the nest box resists water intrusion
- Clean the interior after each brood has fledged to reduce parasites. A paint scraper or car window scraper handily remove dried droppings stuck to the walls of the box.
Not all sources agree that cleaning out the boxes is needed, but if you are so inclined here are a few recommendations for how to do so in a manner safe for the birds:
- Remove old nesting material and scrub the house with a solution of one part bleach to nine parts water and remember to rinse well to eliminate any residual smell. Dry the house thoroughly, with the door open, in the sun.
- Use an unscented mild dish soap and warm water solution to keep mold from getting in and spreading, dry thoroughly in the sun.
- Some people prefer to use white vinegar instead of bleach. Use a light spray of cleaning vinegar (not more than 6% concentration) to kill any parasites and bugs that have taken up residence, rinse with water, and dry thoroughly.
Why clean boxes are important
Dirty bluebird boxes cause illness by harboring parasites like mites, blowfly larvae, and bacteria, which can lead to nestling death, stunted growth, and the spread of diseases like Aspergillosis or Avian pox.
Old, moldy nesting material can also make adults hesitant to reuse the box. Clean your boxes after each brood fledge, especially before nesting season.
- Parasite Load: Old nests are filled with mites and lice that feed on baby bluebirds.
- Disease Transmission: Bacteria from accumulated feces (if not properly removed) can create an unsanitary environment, causing bacterial infections.
- Nest Quality: A clean, dry, and empty box is far more attractive to returning bluebirds for their next brood.
A car window scraper or paint scraper is handy for cleaning out last year's nest mess on sidewalls, inside top and inside bottom of box.