Nestbox cleaning

[Philthy]

I've got a couple of the moulded 'woodcrete' nestboxes (woodcrete is sawdust, clay and concrete), which I bought for their thermal qualities (cool in summer, warm in winter) and durability. They've been used regularly over the last 15 years or so.

I try to clean them out annually during mid autumn as is recommended. But these last couple of years I've been unable to. I could do them now, but with spring just around the corner I don't want to disturb any prospective tennants.

Having not cleaned them out for a couple of years, is that a problem?
Afterall, a natural hole in a tree won't be cleaned out at all, unless the birds do it..?

[mothhawk]

I clean out my two wooden bluetit boxes around September time, and put in a bit of moss or fluffed out hanging basket liner for warmth over the winter. A pair of bluetits sleep in them over the winter, one in each box. The female always does a bit of cleaning in the spring before she starts to rebuild, pulling out and discarding some of the winter bedding. She's doing that now, on and off.

The main reason for cleaning out the boxes in autumn is to remove dead chicks that may go maggoty, plus any bird lice/mites that may have infested the box while it was occupied. If these are present, the box won't be used again, until it is clean.

What I would do is watch the boxes for signs that any bird is interested or has started using it. The best times are often early afternoon, then as it gets towards dusk. If nothing is showing interest, then take them down and give them a good clean out.

[Philthy]

Okay, I'll do that. Thanks mothhawk

[pauco]

Just carry onwith what mothhawk has suggested and you wont go far wrong, good luck, let us know how the bredding pairs cope. Best of luck.


paul.