How to prepare nest boxes for next season

I finally got around to putting up the Halloween decorations over the weekend and I was reminded that that’s the fun part. The other part is the cleaning.

The bird bath needs to be scrubbed and put away. The lawn ornaments and porch decorations need to be taken down and stored for next summer. And the nest boxes and bird feeders need to be inspected, cleaned and repaired for the next season.

nest box care

inspections. While bird feeders can be dismantled, cleaned and stored during the winter, fixed nest boxes cannot. Fall is an excellent time to inspect any nest structures you have and note any damaged or rotted material that needs repair or replacement.

remove debris. After your nest boxes and birdhouses have been inspected, they should be cleared for the next season. This starts with removing old nesting material and discarding it outside of the nest box to avoid attracting predators. Make sure you can see clearly before reaching into the nest box and wear gloves and a face mask to remove debris.

Clear out bee and wasp nests. If bees or wasps have invaded the nest box, remove the nest. You can wait until the temperature drops and they’re dead. Apply a light coat of non-stick cooking spray or rub an unscented bar of soap on the inside surface of the roof to create a slippery surface and prevent insects from nesting in the future.

Scratch the interior. Once the dirt has been removed, scrape the inside of your nest boxes with a stiff brush and clean out the drain holes.

Disinfect interior. There are a few homemade solutions you can make and use in a spray bottle to disinfect the inside of your nest boxes. The first is a bleach solution that is 10% bleach and 90% water. The second is a vinegar solution – 1 cup of vinegar mixed in a gallon of water. The third is 3 cups of hot water, 3 tablespoons of baking soda, and 3 tablespoons of lemon juice. After spraying the inside of the nest box to disinfect, leave it open for at least a day to dry.

Make repairs. Retighten any loose screws or hanging parts. Replace damaged or rotted wood. Repair or replace damaged predator guards.

Store for the winter. If your nest boxes can be detached and picked up, storage will help reduce the weather they are exposed to and can contribute to their longevity. But they can also be left as winter quarters.

Check again before spring. If you leave your nest boxes open, they will need to be checked and possibly cleaned again before spring. Small mammals such as mice move into nest boxes from late autumn to late winter. Their nests should be removed before the songbirds retire in the spring. You can discourage other wildlife from nesting in it by leaving the front or side of the nest box open until spring, but this can expose them to more weather.

Recommended times for replacing nest boxes

January. Owl nest boxes should be repaired and replaced by January. Many species of owls, such as B. Screech Owls and Barn Owls prefer to put new wood chips on the bottom of the box before putting it back. Don’t put sawdust in your nest boxes as it will retain moisture if it gets wet.

February. Kestrel and Eastern Bluebird boxes should be repaired and replaced by mid-February.

March. Songbird and wood duck nest boxes should be repaired and replaced by the first week of March.

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