In exceptional cases, you can also clean nest boxes after winter
Created: 02/22/2022, 08:11
By: Janine Napirca
To prevent parasite infestation, the old bird's nest must be removed from the nest box.
© E. Teister/Imago
The best time to clean a nest box is actually late summer.
If you're running late, be sure to follow these tips.
Actually, the right time to clean the nest box is in
September
.
Because then the birds have left their nests, but the nest box has not yet been taken over by new residents for
hibernation
.
Read here what you need to know if you want to clean nest boxes.
Why do you have to clean a nest box at all?
Basically, nest boxes should be cleaned so that the newly arriving birds are not
infested with
parasites .
Because in a nesting box not only different bird species spread.
Fleas
,
mites
and
ticks
also
like to move into the nest box.
That's why you should definitely remove the old bird nests before the birds build new nests on them.
Also read
: How to fight dust mites effectively.
Why is it better to clean a nest box in late summer?
When the birds have flown, other creatures like to set up in the nest boxes over the winter, including some endangered species.
Therefore, if possible, you should clean the nest boxes in September.
Otherwise, earwigs, lacewings, queen bumblebees and wasps, as well as mice and bats could bother
you with your cleaning of the nest box
.
Tits
also
like to nest in a warm nest box on a cold winter night.
Just like the
dormouse
.
Alternatively, if you haven't made it by late summer, you can
clean the nest box at the
end of winter, before the birds start breeding.
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How do you clean a nest box?
Never use chemical cleaning agents or disinfectants.
"Room service" - Knock once to see if someone is home.
In this way you will not frighten any dormouse or wood mouse and you will not be surprised by an inhabitant yourself.
It is sufficient to sweep out the nest box thoroughly with a small broom.
If necessary, you can rinse the nest box with water and a little soda lye after you have removed the bird's nest.
Also read
: With these little tricks your home is always clean.
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Caution
: nesting boxes in which there are bird nests of
swifts
and
swallows
must not be cleaned or removed, because these species continue to build on the old nest in the new year and improve their breeding grounds independently.
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