Best time to Clean Out Your Birdhouse?

What is the best time to clean out your birdhouse? In case you didn't know, cleaning out your bird houses is important for the health of the wild birds

A bluebird nest box with support pole and baffle located at Green Meadows Preseve in Marietta, GA

Since Spring has arrived, you may be staring out into your yard and wondering, “When is the best time to clean out my birdhouse?” Technically you should have already done this! So, if you have not already done so, (and you know there was a nest in there last season with complete certainty) go grab some gloves and clean out that old nest material.

We typically we clean out our birdhouses here in Georgia in January or early February. We have seen many species of birds “inspecting” our birdhouses as early as February. In early March, our first birds typically start building their nests (for the past several years this has been the white-breasted nuthatch, followed by Eastern Bluebirds an Chickadees or Titmice). Experts of Ornithology recommend cleaning out a birdhouse after every brood has been completed for maximum health and safety of the birds.

An adult male House Finch feeds 3 fledglings

Why should I clean out my birdhouses?

Let’s face it, birds are cute, fluffy, adorable little feathery balls of energy with tons of character. But, they are not always as clean as they appear. Bird nesting materials can contain feces, mites, bacteria and parasites! You wouldn’t want to have a new family of your favorite neighborhood birds invest the time and energy of moving into the house in your yard, only to have them get sick or worse! We have researched this subject to help you and your new bird families have safe, healthy broods.

A bluebird nesting box with last year's nest material

What are the best and safest cleaners to use to clean my birdhouse?

There are several cleaners that can be used to clean out bird houses, but it is very important to use bird-safe products that are free of harsh chemicals. Here are five top cleaners that are safe to use. We recommend using rubber or latex gloves and a mask to avoid breathing or touching anything you wouldn’t want to:

1. Vinegar: A solution of white vinegar and water can be used to disinfect the birdhouse.

2. Hydrogen Peroxide: A solution of hydrogen peroxide and water can be used to disinfect the birdhouse.

3. Mild Soap: A mild soap solution can be used to clean out the birdhouse, followed by a thorough rinse with water.

4. Bird Safe Cleaners: There are bird-safe cleaners available that are designed specifically for cleaning out birdhouses, one example is Poop-Off Birdhouse Cleaner. This cleaner, and others in this category of cleaners are marketed as non-toxic and safe for birds.

A white breasted nuthatch peers out of a well-worn birdhouse

To summarize:

Some birds only have one brood each year (white-breasted nuthatch for example), but others could have 3-4 broods in a long summer with milder temperatures. Regardless of number of broods per year, you should still plan to clean out the birdhouse after each brood for a high success rate and the healthiest birds possible!

A juvenile female bluebird that recently fledged one of our birdhouses

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