You might be sabotaging the very birds you're trying to help if you've been waiting until March or April to clean out your birdhouses! While spring cleaning is historically the best time to clean, when it comes to birdhouse cleaning, it's winter! So, why is January the best month to clean out birdhouses?
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Check PriceThe Spring Cleaning Myth and How it Harms Backyard Birds
A lot of us clean out our birdhouses during springtime because it seems appropriate. The warm weather comes, everything gets a fresh start, and we naturally want to prep our yards for the new season. However, many cavity-nesting birds begin house hunting and laying eggs sooner than you might expect.
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Depending on the area, bluebirds may start their nesting process in late February or early March. Chickadees begin nesting around the same time. If you choose to clean a birdhouse after April, you may push back birds that have already built nests or even worse, you may evict birds that are in the process of building their nests. Just the act of approaching a birdhouse with cleaning supplies may cause birds that are in the process of nesting to abandon the house completely.
Your spring cleaning habit neglects an important detail – last year's nesting materials do not just disappear. Old nests are homes to parasites like mites, blowfly larvae, and bacteria, which thrive in the heat and moisture of decaying grass and feathers. If those pests are present when new tenants arrive, you will have set up the next generation of chicks for health issues from the very beginning.
Your spring cleaning schedule needs to be changed. Maintaining clean housing for nesting birds can be achieved by refraining from cleaning during bird nesting season. An alternative approach involves spring cleaning being conducted prior to bird nesting season.
Keep Birds Healthy & Safe with January's Sweet Spot Timing.
January is ideally positioned between two significant avian activities. Come mid to late winter, the majority of birds are done using the birdhouses as winter roosts. While bluebirds, chickadees, and some woodpeckers may huddle and roost together in cavities during the coldest months, this behavior tends to be finished by late January in most areas as the temperature begins its slow rise.
In addition, the breeding season has not started yet. Depending on your location, you have a good timeframe of four to eight weeks to clean, check, and fix any issues with the birdhouses before the first scouts come looking for real estate.
It is best to begin cleaning nest boxes in January, as experts at the National Audubon Society and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology recommend cleaning them between late fall to early winter. This time frame offers favorable working conditions with milder temperatures, and boxes will be dry in time for early nesting birds.
This is also beneficial for you. Engaging in yard work during January can feel quiet and calm. Getting ahead of the rush feels good, and it will provide real benefits for the birds that will fill your yard with song and color.
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How to Clean Your Birdhouse Correctly in January
Cleaning out a birdhouse is easy and only takes a little time. If you can, take the house off the post or tree. This will make it a lot easier and safer to clean. Open up the house and remove all of the old nesting material and debris (grass, feathers, mold, dust, etc.) from the inside. If the nesting material looks moldy or has been in the birdhouse for multiple seasons, wear gloves and a dust mask while cleaning to protect yourself.
When the aviary is empty, scrub the interior walls, floor, and ceiling with a bleach solution (one part bleach to nine parts water). This will kill parasites, bacteria, and mold spores which could be harmful to future occupants. For corners and drainage holes, a stiffer brush or old toothbrush works well. Also avoid using strong chemical cleaners or soaps with scents, as birds can be sensitive to such things.
Make sure you thoroughly rinse the birdhouse with clean water. Then dry the birdhouse before putting it back up. Since January is cooler, take the birdhouse into the garage or shed if the weather is damp as it will take longer to dry. Before putting the birdhouse up z make sure ventilations holes are clear and drainage holes are open.
As long as you are checking things, examine them for damage. Look for things like loosened or cracked panels, or hinges that are worn. Repair or replace anything that could allow rain or animals to come in. Look at the hole for entry to see if it has been made larger by woodpeckers or squirrels – size is important for keeping out larger, more aggressive animals.
Your birdhouse may be immovable, but you can still clean it on-site! Use a scraper or hook to remove old house materials, then spray your cleaning solution and rinse. Watch your step while on a ladder during winter!
Genuine Advantages For Your Yard: Healthier Birds And An Increase In Visitors
Having a clean birdhouse helps nesting success rates. A study illustrated how old nests and parasites negatively influence the health of baby birds; living in dirty homes can stunts their growth and even decrease their survival rates. Clearing out old debris and the pests that make the nests their homes gives the new baby birds a better chance at thriving.
January cleaning also signals early migrants and year-round residents that your yard is ready for business. Clean and well-maintained houses are more appealing to choosy nesters such as bluebirds, tree swallows, and wrens. Birds will actively avoid cavities that have old nests or debris. Just like any homebuyer, they are looking for fresh and safe space.
By taking this approach, you should see higher occupancy rates across your yard. As soon as one house is claimed, other species watch. Plus, an active birdhouse can have a ripple effect and attract more insect-eating birds to your garden, which is a natural pest control solution.
Aside from cavity nesting birds, the work you do in January is the foundation for the rest of the season. While you are out there, consider other birds needs in your yard. What is the condition of your feeders? Is the birdbath thawed and operational? How do the native plants and brush piles look? Little things can be done now to get a bird community that is healthy and active for you when spring arrives.
Choosing January as your month for birdhouse maintenance is in line with nature's rhythm, which is a great advantage! Your feathered friends get to enjoy their homes safe and spick-and-span. You get peace of mind knowing your backyard is prepared for the new season!
Happy birding!
