When and How to Clean Out a Birdhouse Safely
Clean a birdhouse only when the nest is inactive. Learn when to remove old nests, when to wait until fall and how to clean a nest box safely.
Build safer backyard bird habitat with species-specific guidance on nest boxes, entrance sizes, placement, predator protection and natural cover.
Clean a birdhouse only when the nest is inactive. Learn when to remove old nests, when to wait until fall and how to clean a nest box safely.
Birdhouse height depends on species. Compare recommended heights for bluebirds, wrens, chickadees, swallows, owls and more, plus safer mounting tips.
A birdhouse does not always need to face east. Use species, habitat, prevailing wind, sun and flight path to choose the safest nest-box direction.
Birdhouse entrance size is species-specific. Use this NestWatch-based chart for chickadees, wrens, bluebirds, swallows, owls, ducks and more.
