It's not too late to clean out nesting boxes

Just like a dirty feeder, dirty houses are less attractive to backyard birds.  Dirty bird houses can also harbor rodents, insects, feather mites, fungus and bacteria that can spread disease to nesting birds and vulnerable hatchlings. Houses should be cleaned after the nesting brood has fledged or left the nest.

For many bird species, a single cleaning after the end of the breeding season is sufficient. In temperate regions where birds may raise multiple broods, however, the bird house can be cleaned between each new family to encourage more nesting.

Open the nesting box and brush out the old nesting material and any clumped matter including feces. Bag the material in a plastic bag for disposal in case there are parasites.

Inspect the house for loose hinges, protruding nails or screws and large splinters that could injure a bird. Make sure that the ventilation and drainage holes are unobstructed.

When selecting a bird house look for a house that has a removable or hinged panel so cleaning is easy.

Leave clean houses up for winter for roosting and clean them again in the spring so they are ready for breeding birds. A 1-inch layer of wood shavings on the bottom of the box will provide added warmth against winter's icy winds and storms.

By cleaning a bird house properly, backyard birders provide a safe, happy home for their backyard birds. Clean houses will attract more nesting birds, and generation after generation of healthy birds can be raised in suitable bird houses.