Nestbox Care and Maintenance

• Do not put a box on a tree.  Animals (predators) like snakes and squirrels may harm the nest and contents (eggs).  Black snakes climb trees and love eggs.

• Place new box in some shade if possible.  Intense heat/sun can be very harmful for eggs and birds.

• Make sure you have a pole-mounted predator baffle attached to pole to prevent snakes (black) and squirrels from getting into box.

• When first installing the box and between each brood (after each fledge is a brood) spread diatomaceous white powder on floor and corners of box.  Ants and mites congregate occasionally. 

• Diatomaceous Earth is a fine powder made from fossilized diatoms (microscopic algae).  It’s non-toxic to birds and humans when using food-grade, but deadly to small insects — it works by drying out their exoskeletons.