Bluebird Cultivation

Step 3 Look inside

The block is removed and the front of the box opened. I thoroughly clean out the box, discard the old material far from the box, then put cedar shavings, bought at pet or department stores, in the bottom of the box in anticipation of nest building. The shavings help repel lice, and they keep flies out of the nest box, which could lay eggs that hatch into maggots that can attack (eat) the tiny birds when they first hatch. The birds add their own nesting material on top of the shavings, and the nestbuilding is distinctive. Bluebirds will defend their nest box against other birds, even outside of nesting season. However, if a nest of another kind of bird appears in the bluebird house, you can simply remove it, repeatedly if necessary, to discourage the interloper. The bluebirds cannot use the box if another bird gets established in it.