In Praise of the Basic Birdhouse
(Page 3 of 3)
October/November 2007
By Terry Krautwurst
Out with the old. Once the nesting season’s over, it’s a good idea to clean out birdhouses. Take them down and remove old nesting material, droppings and any other debris. Nests can be home to lice, fleas, fungi and disease pathogens, so wear gloves and a dust mask. Dump the old material into a plastic bag and tie off the bag before disposing.
RELATED CONTENT
Grow hard-shelled gourds in the summer and dry them in the fall to make martin birdhouses in the sp...
Building a three level home for birds from wood, including: materials list, diagrams, instructions....
If you are looking for ways to get more avian friends into your back yard, try an old-fashioned fav...
Build a cheap birdhouse using scrap plywood, juice cans, small hinges, and a kitchen garbage bag....
Some experts advise washing nest box interiors with a solution of one part bleach to nine parts hot water; others say washing isn’t necessary. If you wash it, put the open box in full sun for at least a day to dry before reinstalling it in its original location.
Up with the new. Late fall may seem like an odd time to expose spanking-new nest boxes to the coming non-nesting season’s harsh weather, but birds seeking shelter from wintry blasts would surely disagree. What’s more, a season of weathering helps new nest boxes blend more naturally into spring’s landscape, making them more likely to be adopted as homes.
Add insulation. Whether it’s a freshly cleaned-out box or a newly constructed one, add a handful or two of dried grass or pine needles to the bottom of the box before installing it. Don’t overdo it: an inch or two of insulating material keeps winter residents warmer, but more than that makes raiding the box easier for predators.
Make way for a new generation. Check your boxes just before the new nesting season begins. Some may need cleaning again. Evict any mice that may have taken up residence in the box — small rodents can survive without prefab housing. If the insulation in the bottom of the box is damp or soiled, remove it too — the coming season’s occupants will add their own floor covering.
Contributing editor Terry Krautwurst develops single-family bird housing in his yard in the mountains of western North Carolina. He’s also pretty good at writing: Two of his “Mother’s Nature” articles recently won prestigious awards. For more information, see Dear Mother, October/November 2007.
Page:
<< Previous 1 |
2 | 3 |
