Cleaning Your Bird Houses

Nest box cleaning is in general a personal choice. Studies have shown in many cases birds will equally use a box that has been cleaned versus a box that still has nesting material. In some cases cleaning is required: such as Infested by other insects – wasps, ants or obvious insect life; or the nest box has been occupied by a squirrel.

To Clean

• Only clean an empty birdhouse.
• Clean after the nesting season, once you’re sure no birds are using it.
• Clean before the next nesting season – March into the first week of April.

How To Clean

What you will need:

• Gloves and a mask
• Stiff brush or old toothbrush
• Water
• Disinfectant: a 10% bleach solution (1 part household bleach to 9 parts water).

The process:

• Remove old nesting material and debris.
• Use a brush and the bleach solution to scrub inside surfaces, corners, and the floor of the birdhouse.
• Rinse thoroughly with clean water.
• Let the birdhouse dry completely.
• Drying is important before rehanging or closing the box.

A Northern House Wren filled this bird house with sticks. This should be cleaned out.