House cleaning in the nesting box

September is the ideal time to clean out the nest box, because by then the last of the young birds have fledged. Now old nests can be removed, along with parasites such as mites, ticks, and bird fleas that may have infested them during the breeding season.

First, the cage should be thoroughly swept out. If this isn't enough to remove all the parasites, you can rinse it with clean water or a soda solution. Chemical cleaning or disinfecting agents like those we use in the home are unnecessary and harmful.

It's best to knock first!

But before you grab your gloves and broom and get to work, you should politely knock, recommends the German Nature and Biodiversity Conservation Union (NABU). When autumn arrives, several small animal species take up residence in bird nesting boxes for the winter. To ensure that "new tenants," such as hazel dormice, wood mice, or even bats, are warned and can leave in time, you shouldn't barge in.

Incidentally, some bird species, such as tits, also appreciate nesting boxes as a warm spot on cold autumn and winter nights. It's therefore advisable to hang up new boxes as early as September. If you miss cleaning the nesting boxes in late summer, as a considerate nesting box owner, you should wait until the end of winter to avoid disturbing any potential new occupants.
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