Springtime is the perfect time to provide New Zealand birds with an extra safe place to nest by putting up a wooden birdhouse.

It's spring in New Zealand and if you take a look outside your window you'll see the birds you kohabit with getting on with their busiest season - breeding season.

There are lots of ways you can support New Zealand birds during the springtime.

It’s the perfect time to provide the New Zealand birds you kohabit with an extra safe place to nest by putting up a birdhouse. It’s easy to buy a birdhouse but not all birdhouses are equal, find out how to choose a birdhouse that’s right for your garden birds.

Time to spring clean your wooden birdhouse.

If you already own a birdhouse then it's time to give it a spring clean. Not only will cleaning your birdhouse attract new residents, but it will also help support NZ birds by protecting them from the spread of pests and diseases.

Why is it important to clean your birdhouse?

Birds that like to use birdhouses tend to be very fussy about where they put their nest. They can spend many months searching for a suitable spot. They are also masters at construction and put in huge efforts to ensure they build the perfect nest for their young. And like us humans, they are unlikely to want to nest in an untidy or unhealthy home.

Dirty nesting boxes can also harbour feather mites, insects, fungi and bacteria, all of which can spread disease to the birds and their delicate young. By cleaning out your birdhouse you are able to support the New Zealand birds you kohabit with by providing a risk-free nesting spot.

When should you clean out a wooden birdhouse?

Ideally, your birdhouse should be cleaned out when a nest is no longer needed and the birds have all left. This can help you get more than one nesting couple per season, or even the same couple returning.

Before you get cleaning.

Before you clean out your birdhouse you need to ensure it’s not in use. If it's the start of the spring season you may find you have early nesters already set up in there. Or if it’s mid-way through the breeding season you may find you have new residence or a returning couple.

So before you start keep an eye on your nesting box to see if you have any regular visitors. If not then when you first approach it gently tap the sides and listen to see if you can hear any movement inside. If you do hear something move away and keep watching to be sure its not in use.

How to clean your birdhouse.

Open up the birdhouse and remove any old nests or other debris. A good quality birdhouse will have a side or base that easily opens to make this easy. Kohab Birdhouses have an easy-to-open bottom panel that slides out to make cleaning quick and easy.
Make up a mixture of diluted disinfectant, we recommend a 5% disinfectant solution.
Give the birdhouse a good scrub inside and out and rise it through fully several times with clean water.
Leave it to dry out naturally.
Remember, to always wear gloves when handling birdhouses and wash them outside

Once your birdhouse is all clean and tidy you can wait and see who moves in to start their new brood. Then you can sit back and watch another generation of birdlife thrive. Enjoy!