House-hunting? Look for these features

Birds will be most attracted to nest boxes that are well ventilated and well drained. The box should be accessible, yet keep predators at bay. Here are some suggestions:

Ventilation. Without air vents, boxes can turn into ovens. There are two ways to provide ventilation: leave gaps between the roof and sides of the box, or drill 1/4-inch holes on the sides just below the roof.

Drainage. Keep in mind that a driving rain may soak the entrance of the box. You can assure proper drainage by cutting away the corners of the box's floor or by drilling 1/4-inch holes in the floor.

Entrance hole. For most birds, the entrance of the nest box should be near the top of the front panel. A rough surface both inside and out makes it easier for the adults to get into the box and, when it's time, for the nestlings to climb out. Contrary to the customary look of birdhouses, there should be no perch below the entrance hole. Perches offer predators a convenient place to wait for lunch. The entrance hole is the only thing between a predator and a home full of nestlings. (And keep in mind that predators can even be other birds!) To be safe, add a predator guard, a metal doughnut-shaped collar that fits around the entrance hole (available at The Bird House in different sizes). You may also see some with openings of an additional layer of wood. This deters predators that cannot reachnestlings around the added depth of the hole.

Access. Nesting boxes should be easily accessible so that, when the nesting season is over, you can clean out the house. If you clean out your nesting box after each brood has fledged, several pairs of birds may use the nest throughout the summer. Many cavity-nesting birds will not nest again in a box full of old nesting. Also, access is important so you can inspect your nesting boxes and evict unwanted creatures: house sparrows, starlings, rodents, snakes and insects. Check for fleas, flies, mites, lice and insect larvae in the bottom of the box. A wire-mesh nesting platform raises the base of the nest which helps keep parasites away, available here at The Bird House. Rub soap on the inside ceiling of the nest box to deter bees and wasps from forming colonies.

Baffles. Baffles on the pole upon which houses are mounted can keep climbing predators away. Predators such as snakes, cats, squirrels and racoons.