The Ultimate Pest Control - a Simple Bird House!

One important aspect of pest control, That is often overlooked, Is birds.

Are you aware that in any given day, The average wild songbird eats 1/3 of its body weight in insects?

It is not uncommon for a small songbird to eat more than its own weight in a single day.

In a years time, That is a CRAZY amount of bugs!

here is a short example of the bug populations that birds help control.

Bluebirds: grasshoppers, crickets, beetles, larvae, moths

Cardinals: beetles, grasshoppers, leafhoppers, stinkbugs, snails

Chickadees: aphids, whitefly, scale, caterpillars, ants, earwigs

Grosbeaks: larvae, caterpillars, beetles

Nuthatches: tree and shrub insects such as borers, caterpillars, ants and earwigs

Oriole: caterpillars, larvae, beetles, grasshoppers

Sparrows: beetles, caterpillars, cutworms

Swallows: moths, beetles, grasshoppers

Titmice: aphids, leafhoppers, caterpillars, beetles

Warblers: caterpillars, aphids, whitefly

Woodpeckers: larvae, beetles, weevils, borers

The best part of this form of pest control, is simple. It's chemical free. No toxic chemicals and poisons to expose you family and surroundings with.

Step 1: The Cut List

It's real simple. 6 pieces. All cut from a single cheap simple 1x6x8. Don't use the pressure treated kind. They contain toxic chemicals that are bad for you and the birds.

Step 2: Cutting the Sides

The sides slope down towards the front. all you do to cut that angle is set your saw to 11 degrees.I recommend cutting the angle on the 2 sides at the same time, so they are a perfect match.

Step 3: Drill a Hole for a Door

Drill a hole roughly 3 inches from the top in the front. Do not put a perch under it. That just leaves a place for predators to eat your birds. Make the hold 1 1/2 inches in diameter.

Step 4: Assembly

This part is pretty straight forward. It only goes together one way :) Make sure when you are done, You drill 3 or 4 1/4 inch holes in the bottom for drainage. Be sure to use a good water resistant wood glue like titebond 2 or 3. If you do not own a nail gun, feel free to use screws or nails. It really doesn't matter.

Step 5: The Most Important Step

Hang it in a tree, And sit back and enjoy the fact that You made something that another living creature will enjoy! See how awesome you are? And sleep better knowing that you did your part creating a safe habitat for another living creature, while at the same time providing great insect control for your area. Enjoy!