Spring Cleaning

Here’s a guide for safely cleaning a nest box without any chemicals, to keep it safe and welcoming for your visitors:

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​1. Pick the Perfect Moment

• Late Summer or Early Autumn: Birds are done nesting by this time, so it’s the perfect opportunity for a cleanup. Plus, the nest box has had time to dry out, making the task a little less… squishy!

• Bird Check! Before you start, make sure there are no little visitors still inside. A gentle tap should do the trick!

• Pick a nice sunny day - not only will that make the whole thing more pleasant and safer if you're gong up a ladder, 

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2. Gather Your Supplies

• Gloves – keep those hands clean!

• A #2 Phillips (cross head) screwdriver

• A trusty scrub brush (or even an old toothbrush for those tight corners).

• A bucket of warm water – no suds needed!

• A spatula or wooden spoon for those stubborn bits.

• Soft cloth or paper towels for drying.

• Pop the kettle on too. Everything is better with a cuppa, but you'll need some boiling water shortly. 

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3. Bringing Down the House

• Go around and take down your nest boxes, it's easier to do them all together. Give a quick yey for our easy slot mounting system. 

• Use your screwdriver to unscrew the roof. If your tenants have really made a mess, you can take the whole thing apart, it's only 4 more screws so shouldn't take too long, and the wood is hardy enough to put them all back together again for several years! 

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4. Out with the Old! 

• Pop on your gloves and scoop out any old nests, droppings, or little surprises left behind. Birds love a fresh start, so let’s make it tidy.

• Spotted any pesky mites? A good scrub and some sunshine will help take care of them naturally!

• Remember the kettle? Pour boiling water down the joints and corners, that will finish off any mites, bugs or their eggs that are lurking out of sight. 

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5. Scrub-a-Dub-Dub!

• Dip your brush in warm water and scrub away any leftover muck. Don’t worry about using soap – warm water is perfect, safe and won't leave any residue or scent.

• Got a tough spot? Use your spatula to give it a gentle nudge (without hurting the wood).

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6. Sunshine Power!

• Let it Sunbathe: Set your clean box out in the sun for a few hours. The UV rays do an amazing job of naturally disinfecting it and drying things up.

• Vinegar Tweak (optional): If you see a spot of mold, try a splash of vinegar mixed with water (one part vinegar to three parts water). Give it a quick scrub and then make sure you rinse it well, then back to the sun it goes!

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7. Air It Out

• Use a cloth or paper towels to wipe off any extra moisture, then leave it in a nice breezy spot to air-dry.

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8. Check for “Home Improvements”

• Peek for any wear and tear! If there are sharp edges or loose bits, give them a little TLC to keep the nest box safe and sound.

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9. Reinstall the Nest Box

• Once everything’s dry, pop it back up in its cozy spot. Make sure it’s nice and secure, so birds feel safe moving in again.

• Cross "sort nest boxes" off your list, have a cup of tea or a glass of wine and feel smug. You're done for the year and your feathered friends will thank you when they move into their cosy, clean new home!