Birdhouse Maintenance

 by cheapchuck
Featured
P1010112.JPG
P1010114.JPG
P1010115.JPG
P1010124.JPG
P1010126.JPG
P1010130.JPG
P1010131.JPG
P1010138.JPG
P1010141.JPG
P1010134.JPG
I build birdhouses as a hobby and keep quite a few active birdhouses in my yard. Proper maintenance is important for the good of the birds and to ensure your enjoyment of the houses.
 
Remove these adsRemove these ads by Signing Up

Step 1: Semi-Annual Clean Out...

P1010124.JPG
P1010114.JPG
P1010115.JPG
At least once a year, but preferably twice a year the birdhouse needs to be cleaned out. Tap on the house and listen for activity inside. Carefully shine a flashlight inside to make sure there aren't eggs or chicks inside. Always look from the corner of the house diagonally in through the hole as a startled bird may fly straight out. Once you are sure the house is not in use, open whatever hatch is provided and pull out the old nesting material. Use gloves and wash thoroughly afterwards.
BillyBlue says: Oct 21, 2009. 1:56 AM
Dont forget drainage holes
Tom Buckey says: Feb 15, 2009. 1:38 AM
ive benn told to put the bird house somewere tucked away like on a bushy tree .ect. and ive made my own bird box wich is very close to some bird feeders..... bad idea because i have a bluetit family nesting there then a greattit started to attack the family so ive move the nest.
cheapchuck (author) in reply to Tom BuckeyFeb 15, 2009. 6:28 PM
I don't have much expression with birdhouses in the vicinity of birdfeeders because I don't feed birds in my yard. There are plenty of seniors in the area, and many of them do the opposite of me; they have feeders, but have no birdhouses. I like to put the birdhouses somewhere that is shaded, has some cover, and is high enough off the ground to discourage cats and squirrels. Good Luck!
Tom Buckey in reply to Tom BuckeyFeb 15, 2009. 1:39 AM
sorry i didnt move the nest i ment the box
cheapchuck (author) says: Feb 2, 2009. 4:32 PM
I will get to work on the $2 birdhouse this weekend. Although I have built many, I have never taken pictures along the way. The $2 birdhouse uses a 5 or 6 foot long 6' wide dog-eared cedar picket, available for less than $2. Make sure the pickets are not stained or treated. It makes sense to buy at least two pickets and make the cuts for two at a time. You'll also need wood glue and some 1 &1/2 inch brads.
Fanny Fink in reply to cheapchuckFeb 5, 2009. 1:24 AM
Nice job, looks fantastic. Thanks a lot. I will try at the weekend... Let's make more nests to the animals around us so that we can leave them some space to live on earth beside us. P.S. It would be great if all of us put some water pots in front of our houses so that animals can drink it.
Fanny Fink says: Feb 2, 2009. 6:47 AM
I wish the making of the nest would have been told here. Anyway an idea of having a birdhouse is fantastic. Thank you.
cheapchuck (author) in reply to Fanny FinkFeb 4, 2009. 8:31 PM
foobear says: Feb 2, 2009. 8:46 AM
Neat! I had no idea. I can't wait to build my own birdhouse. Yay!
cheapchuck (author) in reply to foobearFeb 4, 2009. 8:30 PM
bikinearly says: Feb 2, 2009. 1:18 PM
I'm ready to build some birdhouses. Please post some ideas.Thanks
cheapchuck (author) in reply to bikinearlyFeb 4, 2009. 8:30 PM
Da_Fudge says: Feb 3, 2009. 1:34 AM
Cool!!!
Pro

Get More Out of Instructables

Already have an Account?

close

PDF Downloads
As a Pro member, you will gain access to download any Instructable in the PDF format. You also have the ability to customize your PDF download.

Upgrade to Pro today!