February is the perfect opportunity to clean out your birdhouses. The span between winter and nesting season is ideal for cleaning birdhouses, it may impact the birds visiting your yard this spring.
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When should you clean out your birdhouse? Timing is critical. February is optimal because winter roosting is finally done and spring nesting isn't underway yet. During the end of winter and early spring, bluebirds and chickadees start to scout for nesting sites. If you clean out your birdhouse in February, you're providing them with an inviting birdhouse to nest in.
In the winter, birds use birdhouses to shelter from the cold. They huddle up to keep warm, and as the weather begins to warm up and there are more daylight hours, birds begin to change their behaviors again. They clean out their shelters and breeding behavior takes over. By late March, if you have not cleaned your birdhouses, you risk disturbing early nesters or in the case of later migrants, your boxes will be still full of debris from previous nesting attempts.
In February, winter is starting to loosen its grip and spring is still a long way off. For many regions, February will provide comfortable working conditions. This is a good time to get all the necessary work done before the early spring nesting rush to take your time and do a thorough job.
The actual dangers of not doing a clean-out
The old nests may appear to be harmless from afar, but these nests are actually dangerous to the birds inhabiting them because the materials that make the nest eventually become infested with parasites. These parasites include things like mites, lice, and blowfly larvae. While these parasites remain inactive throughout winter, their hunger will strike when the new nestlings arrive. When there are a large number of parasites in a nest, the young birds will become weak and experience stunted growth. In extreme cases they may even die before they are able to leave the nest.
Aside from parasites, uncleaned birdhouses can be full of germs, bacteria, and fungi due to the decaying materials in old nests. Feces from previous broods contain harmful pathogens. When new parent birds bring food to their chicks, everyone becomes infected if the nesting box is contaminated. Diseases can easily spread in the over crowded space of a bird nest box, especially when chicks are tightly packed together and their immune systems are still developing.
It is important to note that birds tend to be picky when it comes to choosing a new home. Old nesting material does not attract buyers. Many birds want to build new nests and will not do so in a house that looks unclean. Freshly cleaned homes and open nesting cavities will attract birds over your neglected birdhouse. Birdhouses are time and effort and debris bans birds from using the houses.
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People worry that removing old bird nests can disrupt birds, but in fact, most cavity nesting birds will not reuse nests. Instead, they build new nests each season, and will build them in much greater numbers in an unoccupied environment. When you remove old nests in your birdhouses, you improve the likelihood of nesting success in birds.
Easy ways to clean your birdhouses the right way.
The best part about cleaning birdhouses is that it is possible without needing to use special equipment or advanced skills. To preparing for this task you must collect some basic supplies like heavy-duty gloves, a small scraper or putty knife, a bucket, and either a mild bleach solution (one part bleach to nine parts water) or white vinegar. If you’re dealing with particularly messy or moldy nests, then you might also want to wear safety glasses.
To start, open the birdhouse and take out any old materials they used for nesting. You should put on gloves because you don't want to touch any parasites, poop, or germs. It may be difficult, but remove any nesting materials, even small pieces that are stuck in the corners or crevices. Any nesting debris that you collect can be placed in the compost pile or yard waste for natural decomposition.
After checking the mailbox, ensure that it is still in one piece. Make sure that the top is still attached, that the holes for water drainage are open, and that the holes for ventilation are not blocked. Look for cracks or loose screws. When a birdhouse is well maintained, more birds will be likely to use it and it will better protect them from the elements and from predators.
Next, you will disinfect the unit. Using your bleach solution or vinegar, scrub the surfaces of the unit, especially in the corners, where parasites like to hide. A stiff brush is good to use here. Allow the solution to sit for several minutes before rinsing with clean water. This step is very important as there should be no chemical residue left on the unit that could harm the birds.
You should wait for the birdhouse to dry completely before putting it back together. If you can, you can place it in the sun and leave it for a day or two in a covered dry place. Moisture can cause mold, so be sure that everything is dry. After it is dry and clean, you can reattach the pieces or leave it open for your first spring visitors.
Your Backyard Comes Alive After The Cleanup
Birdhouses that are cleaned earlier in the season will attract more birds. Now, Bluebirds are one of the first nesting species and will be looking for places to start their nests soon. When they find a clean bird house, they are much more likely to move in and have multiple sets of babies during the season. The payoff from cleaning your birdhouse will come quickly.
Chickadees, titmice, and wrens all benefit significantly from clean houses. Once they move in, you’ll be entertained by their energetic activity in your yard. You’ll see them make hundreds of daily trips to feed their growing chicks. This is one of natures best shows! And it takes place right outside your window!
The birds nesting in the boxes are not the only ones benefiting from your hard work. Because of your work, cardinals, robins, and other birds are able to thrive in your habitat. When hummingbirds return from migration, they will need feeders that are clean and bugs that are plentiful to feed on. Also, birds that are yard cavity-nesters will attract lots of insects and other birds.
Clean birdhouses promote healthier populations of local birds. Supporting species that are negatively impacted by climate change and habitat loss, you are helping young birds fledge from the bird nests located in your yard. Every nest box that helps generate fledglings is beneficial.
It's time to take some action this February and get to work on your birdhouses! A small amount of time spent cleaning birdhouses will bring massive rewards to both you and the residential birds. The cleaning and inspection of your birdhouses will bring great satisfaction to you, especially if your birdhouses are occupied by bluebirds. You have made a great contribution to the community, and the birds appreciate your work!
