When should I clean out my bluebird box (house)?

ASK THE HORT AGENT

Question When should I clean out my bluebird box (house)?

Answer Bluebirds make a new nest for each new crop of eggs. They may produce 3 broods per summer. With this family plan, the nesting box fills up by the end of the summer.

Failure to clean out a nesting box will increase the potential for parasite infestation, predation (since the babies are closer to the hole) and sparrow occupation. Unclean houses can also be food sources for fire ants. Under such pressure, bluebirds will abandon full boxes.

Some folks say it should be cleaned after each family leaves the nest. This type of monitoring can be too intense for weekend birdwatchers. Most bird lovers agree that a wintertime cleaning is the safest bet.

Winter cleaning is the safest time to minimize the risk of nesting disruption by a blundering do-gooder. It is also the safest time for the blundering do-gooder. Summer cleaning puts the cleaner at risk for wasp stings, snake bites and bird lice.

Folks susceptible to respiratory allergens, may want to consider holding their breath, wearing a mask or cleaning it in the rain. The combination of straw, bird feces, feather dander and lice carcasses may trigger a coughing spell if not Legionnaires disease.

Proper cleaning involves the wearing of gloves, scraping of the inside walls and spraying of 10% bleach solution. Proper disposal of the old nests involves a plastic bag and a trip to the dumpster. I simply open the box, drag out the old nest and attempt to kick it before it hits the ground. Obviously, there is a range of effective methods.

Sometimes mice will hold up in a nesting box during the winter. The presence of a mouse will certainly liven up the cleaning process. To avoid surprises, lightly tap on the side of the box before opening it. Some mice will flip out the “occupied” sign and therefore decrease the potential of scaring the beegeebers out of you.

For more info about bluebirds, check out http://www.ncbluebird.org/ If you don’t have internet access, then contact me at gpierce@harnett.org or 910-893-7530.

Over 60 transmittable diseases can be attributed to pigeons, starlings and sparrows. While pigeons are primarily a “downtown” problem, starlings and sparrows are serious threats to bluebirds. Starlings and English sparrows are not native to the US. If you want to really help bluebirds and reduce your risk of catching some disease, then set your sights on these two illegal aliens. http://davidkusel.com/arbor/birdtrap.htm

Gary L. Pierce

Horticulture Extension Agent