Instructions on How to Clean a Bird's Nesting Box

Clean a nesting box at least once a year.

Hang nesting boxes near your home to encourage birds in your garden. Birds may raise one or two broods a year, and it is essential to clean the nesting boxes between broods. Birds carry parasites, and the parasites can be passed through the nesting material. Cleaning the nesting box between broods and again after the nesting season is over helps keeps the birds in your yard healthy and prevents the spread of disease.

Things You'll Need

• Plastic bag
• Chlorine bleach
• Spray bottle
• Scrub pad

Instructions

1. Pull down the nesting box.

2. Pull out the nesting material and place it in a plastic bag. Seal the bag and dispose of it. Allowing birds to reuse nesting material encourages the spread of disease and parasites.

3. Mix a solution that is 9 parts water and 1 part chlorine bleach in a spray bottle.

4. Spray the interior and exterior of the nesting box with the solution.

5. Scrub any stains with the scrub pad.

6. Rinse the nesting box thoroughly with plain water. Make sure that any scent of bleach is gone.

7. Set the nesting box in a sunny area to dry.

Tips & Warnings

• Choose nesting boxes with flip lids or removable tops to facilitate easy cleaning.

References

• Avian Web; Nesting Habits & Boxes
• Birdhouses 101; Care and Maintenance of Birdhouses;