How to Hand Paint Birdhouses
Painting a birdhouse correctly is important to attract wild birds to nest during spring and to prevent predators from taking the eggs or fledglings. Most experts suggest that birdhouses should weather naturally without painting; however, in a residential garden, this may not be appropriate to the setting. Applying paint to birdhouses reduces the problems associated with insect infestation on decaying wood. Painting birdhouses effectively takes planning and preparation, and provides the opportunity for location-specific creativity.
Things You'll Need
- Non-toxic, pet-safe external paint
- 1-inch paintbrush
- Artist's paintbrush
- Water-based external varnish
Instructions
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Choose only pet-safe, non-toxic acrylic or water-based external paints and varnishes. Read the labeling on the products and make sure there is no zinc, lead, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) or solvents in the paint or varnish material.
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Choose the sites for the birdhouses to determine the colors of the paintwork. Birds will readily nest in concealed boxes that blend into the surrounding natural environment. Pick light colors rather than dark so that the color does not absorb heat and affect the internal temperature of the birdhouse.
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Use a 1-inch paintbrush to apply a base coat of external water-based paint to the external walls, top and bottom of the birdhouse. Allow 30 minutes for it to dry. Apply another coat of paint and allow a further 30 minutes for it to dry. Apply a final layer of paint and let it dry.
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Use an artist's paintbrush to paint on natural looking foliage designs that occur in the birdhouse location site. For example, brush light brown strokes to form a twig from the base of a side edge towards the rear of the nest-box. Paint a leaf onto the top or a flower head onto the side that matches the blossom of a surrounding tree.
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Allow all surfaces to dry thoroughly. Using a clean 1-inch paintbrush, apply a water-based external varnish to the birdhouse to seal the paint and protect the wood from decay. Allow the varnish to dry for 30 minutes and apply another two coats, waiting 30 minutes in between layers to allow for surface drying.
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Tips & Warnings
Place a leaf or flower next to you so that you can copy it accurately onto the birdhouse.
Avoid paints with reflective material because these attract predators to the nesting box.
Do not paint or varnish the inside of a birdhouse because birds may ingest it.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit birdhouse -6 image by Rog999 from Fotolia.com
