Should you remove old nests from bird houses
When planning to use the same bird house over and over again, then remember birds won't occupy a wooden bird house until its clear of old nesting material.
You should remove old nests from bird houses because to keep it in there will stop birds nesting again in the same season - while later in the year there's an opportunity to see birds roost in the box. Old nests can ruin a box thus it must be all gone while discarding it safely in the trash bag setup near by.
Let's say your wooden bird house has been occupied for 2 to 3 weeks during which, the pairing Bluebirds brought new birds successfully into the world.
Likely time this would of happened is July or August, of which you should now clean out your Bluebird house knowing all occupants have left.
If you didn't see your bird house birds leave when a spring clean is due, then give the box a tap or two to listen out for any tweaking. No tweaking no problem, but go cautiously when opening the box just incase birds are still present.
What will be in the bird house is a tight clunk of what is a safe and warm nest for birds, but bit of a safety hazard to you.
It can be made out of straw, leafs or grass clippings of which could be dry or damp.
Damp old nesting material would have likely stained the bird house interior which can be cleaned up a little - while dried up old nests can be easier to remove.
Either way, you must put on safety gloves and goggles while going slowly to remove the old nest to be sure not to ingest or get old nest dust or debris in your mouth or eyes.
When birds nest in late March or later they could build their nest inside the bird house using material which is in poor condition; be prepared then to scrub hard with a hard bristle brush while soaking the box in dish soap to remove every drop of old nest.
Bird houses are made today to provide the owner - which will be you - full access inside, a major bird house requirement will then include an opening for you to pull out the old nest in one go, or if you must lift it out as it breaks apart.
Old nest must be removed
Absolutely should you remove old nesting material out of your bird house, for it to remain in the box the material will continue to erode the bird house interior.
With that the same bird house must also be used again, and with a Bluebirds or Black-capped Chickadees similar nesting matter still in your wooden box - its unlikely birds will use it again until its cleaned out.
Do remove old nests from your bird house as soon as the occupants have left the bird house.
It could be late July to early August or well in to September, but to be sure, you'd want to at least fully clear out the bird house come the Fall or earlier.
Old nests have the potential to permanently damage the bird house interior as the material is commonly made up of straw, leaves, yard waste, native plants and grass clipping's - all of which has the potential to decompose.
Most of which can realize moisture which in turn will cause water damage as the damp bleeds into the wood grain.
Material can ruin bird house
Birds who nest in our bird houses are potentially going to use all kinds of natural matter found in the trees or on the ground.
At first this can seem harmless but let's not forget wild birds can possibly bring damp or bleeding moisture natural material back to their once clean and dry bird house. Not an issue at all but come August, all this must of course be cleaned out.
You should clean bird houses as soon as the previous occupants have left, as its vital this old nest is lifted out - or what will probably happen - is you'll have to pull a bit of old nesting material out at a time.
After three weeks or so of nesting in cramp conditions, the nesting material isn't going to appear at all that great, thus it must be discarded before it does any more damage.
Internal walls of the bird house can be ruined due to damp left behind, whilst the area which will need more of your attention with your cleaning out, would be the bird house base.
I can promise you, you'll be able to fully remove old nest material but you must certainly do you best you can to pull it out or indeed scrap it out with a wallpaper scraper or knife.
Discard of nest material safely
You should remove old nests from bird houses thus its vital to be well prepared in advance, to discard what could be potentially dangerous old nesting material.
Dangerous because who knows what the birds have carried into the nest, with a chance of sickness or bird droppings caused by Salmonella poisoning. Birds can also transmit disease which is less harmful to you - but can still be present in the box.
If you need a reason to clean out your old bird nest inside any wooden bird house, then this would be it providing its done safely.
What makes a good bird house is the ability to access the interior without restrictions, thus you must open the front or roof latch to get inside.
With gloves on at the very beginning, hold the box down with one hand while pulling out old nesting material with the other. Go carefully as you want to avoid causing dust as the material would of dried up if it isn't still wet by now.
Think about wearing safety goggles if you can while always cleaning out old bird houses outdoors.
As the old nest material is being removed you must be sure it goes straight into a trash bag you would have stood next to you in preparation for cleaning out.
Can now be properly cleaned
Not only should you remove old nests out of bird houses once birds are all guaranteed to have left come early fall - you must now give it a proper clean with sterilization.
First be sure to remove old nest matter as best you can, even if it means scraping the internal walls and the base to lift up any remaining remnants of old dried leafs or straw which can stick like glue.
Now fill up a bowl of boiling hot soapy water in a bowl with the use of dish soap.
Submerge what will probably be a made in wood bird house in the bowl for several minutes to loosen up any dried up nest matter. Remove out of water to then be sure you can remove the bits that softened up in the water to be discarded with.
With a hard bristle brush or an old scour you can throw away after use; you'd need to scrub the exterior of the box including around the multiple size entry hole.
Inside the box, scrub the internal walls diligently while focusing on the awkward bottom to remove grime which usually filters down to the base.
Empty your bowl of now dirty bird house water down the toilet to then fill up with four parts hot water to one part while vinegar.
White vinegar will become a safe, non toxic disinfectant you can clean a wooden bird house out with - while baring in mind, to use bleach has the potential to stain the wood.
Clean your bird house with dish soap plus the homemade vinegar cleaning solution if you like, rather than cleaning the bird house first - then following it up with a disinfectant.
Now its just a matter of placing your bird house upside down to allow it to air dry outside.
To summarize
You must remove old nests from bird houses because you are going to want to use this same box again later in the year, as well has preparing it early for next spring.
You see, old nesting material after 2 to 3 weeks of being used in a bird house can become riddled with decease or toxic substances; like bird droppings or indeed sickness caused by the adult birds or their fledglings.
And seeing as you'd want to use this bird house again rather than throwing it out every time with a brand now box - you must clean it out for the sake of attracting birds back to your reusable bird house.
Birds are unlikely to occupy a bird house full of nest material as they know its occupied, even if birds have left.
To encourage new pairing birds to what would be rarely nesting in the same box - in the same season again - then old nesting material must go as soon as possible.
Leaving old nests inside a bird house has the potential to see this damp material ruin the bird house interior - while dried up nesting matter can become stuck - which will be harder to remove when you finally do.
Once you can, be sure all birds have left your bird house come July or August, then get to work by safely removing the old nest with gloves on with goggles to be safe.
Bird houses can be used again in the same season but a group of the same bird species could come to your bird house later in the year to roost - of which they can't do with old nesting material in the way.
Not only should you remove old nests from bird houses then, but you must give it a proper clean with dish soap whilst following this up with a disinfectant in a safe homemade white vinegar cleaning solution.
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