Did you know that autumn can be a great time to clean nesting boxes/birdhouses? This is because many of the birds that nested in them during the spring and summer months will reuse them to shelter in during the fall and winter – especially at night and during cold and inclement weather – this is known as roosting.

Some birds like cardinals, robins and hummingbirds build open nests in tree branches and in bushes. Others build their nests in tree cavities or in nesting boxes. Here in the Northeast birds that use nesting boxes include woodpeckers, bluebirds, wrens, titmice, nuthatches, and chickadees.

To clean your nesting boxes, first take them down and while wearing gloves, remove all the nesting material and scrape out any feces that may have accumulated on the walls or floor. Use a plastic bag to dispose of this matter. Dirty boxes can attract rodents, mites and bacteria that can be hazardous to birds.

Next, scrub the box with a solution of one part chlorine bleach and ten parts hot water. Once clean, rinse the box with hot water to make sure all the bleach solution is thoroughly removed. Before you reinstall the box, let it dry in the sun. This last step will ensure that no mold or mildew grows on the inside once you put it back up.

By the way, the nest in the photo was built by House Wrens who build a platform of sticks and then top that off with soft material such as feathers, grasses and sometimes mosses. The house is our Wren/Chickadee Nesting Box and it is always very popular with the House Wrens and chickadees. House Wrens aren't here during cold months, but chickadees are here year-round!