Gardeners in the UK can look after the birds in their garden this autumn with one key step. Cleaning your bird box could stop mites and parasites thriving in a new nest
Birds in your garden can bring us a lot of joy, particularly in the colder months of autumn and winter.
People should be taking some small and easy steps to make sure the creatures are protected in the next few months. Birds need protection from predators, Peckish Bird Food advised and nest boxes, also known as bird boxes, are a great way of doing that.
The business said: “Birds need protection from predators. A garden with trees, shrubs and hedges are perfect for birds to rest, feed and nest. Nest boxes are also ideal protection. Make sure existing nest boxes are cleaned before the nesting season begins and any new nest boxes are put up prior to the nesting season so birds become familiar with them.”
Many British gardeners will already have a bird box in their garden. The question in front of them is should they clean it out?
BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine said that “mites and parasites can build up in the nest” during breeding season. The magazine said: “If the nest is left in the box over winter, the existing mites and parasites could breed and, in large numbers, cause significant harm to future broods of nesting birds. What’s more, the existence of mites and parasites could deter birds from nesting in the nest box again, so it’s in our best interests to provide clean nest boxes, too.”
Birds are resourceful and will use a partially built nest if they find one as building their own can be tiring and take a long time, but this might not be the best thing for them.
Some argue that the creature should be left to its own devices as we don’t clean out nests in the wild, but Gardeners’ World said it is “worth remembering that nest sites in trees are more commonplace than garden nest boxes, so there’s less pressure on birds to nest in the same spot in consecutive years”.
Bird nests in trees will also gradually break down and therefore don’t need to be cleaned, but the boxes in your garden will need some maintenance. The best time to do this is between September and December.
Cleaning your bird box
Start by taking the box down and removing the remnants of the nest already in there using a dustpan and brush.
Check the box for wear and tear and if any repairs need to be made. Make sure there are no rotting parts and it is still snug enough for the birds.
Once you have finished your checks, pour boiling water into the nest to get rid of any parasites or mites
