When to Clean a Bluebird House

Building Bluebird Houses

• Larger birds roust bluebirds out of nests built in open cavities and in birdhouses with entrance holes that accommodate the larger birds as well as the bluebirds. Those who build and place bluebird houses should keep in mind that the bluebird prefers a cozy home, measuring 4 inches square at the base of the house. Most bluebird house plans call for an entrance hole of 1 2/5 inches in diameter. According to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, new research indicates that bluebirds respond more favorably to a house with an entrance hole of 1 3/4 inches.

Location

• While commonly spoken in terms of real estate, the phrase "location, location, location" applies to the placement of bluebird houses as well. Bluebirds shun interaction with humans, preferring to occupy nesting cavities or strategically placed bluebird houses in open country around trees. Birders find bluebirds primarily along pastures or farm fields and sometimes in suburban parks, golf courses and in backyards.

To Clean

• When it comes to cleaning up after the brilliantly colored bluebirds, two schools of thought prevail. Clean the birdhouse. Do not clean the birdhouse. Experts who advocate cleaning do not agree on the extent of cleaning required or the time of year to accomplish the task. Because the boxes house fleas, lice, fungi and disease pathogens, those on the pro-cleaning side recommend wearing gloves and a dust mask to accomplish the task. Within the pro-cleaning camp, some advise washing the birdhouse with soap and water and letting the house air dry for a minimum of 24 hours before reinstalling it, while others submit the dry cleaning regimen alone produces the desired results. Some bluebird enthusiasts suggest cleaning the house immediately after the chicks fledge in the spring. Others advocate cleaning in late fall after the bluebirds have left for the year.

Not to Clean

• Those who fall into the do-not-clean camp suggest that the bluebird should start from scratch, building a new nest each nesting season. They insist that if a bluebird builds a new nest each time, the parasitic presence is limited and does not mature enough from the period of nest-material collection to hatch to do significant damage to hatchlings. Those who remove the nest box to encourage new nesting activity should locate another clean, appropriately sized bluebird house in its place. Other bluebird fanciers choose not to disturb the bluebird house in any way, leaving the structure for the spring arrival of nesting bluebirds, when the birds will assume the housekeeping duties.