Bluebirds - predation control
This is the third article in a series related to attracting bluebirds to your yard and properly caring for them.
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Predation Control
Properly mounting your nest boxes is an important part of caring for bluebirds. Nest boxes should never be nailed to trees, fence posts, or outbuildings. Climbing varmints including cats, raccoons, foxes, possums, and rat snakes can easily reach the nest box and harm the bluebirds.
The proper way to mount bluebird nest boxes is to attach them to metal poles equipped with approved predator guards under the nest box to deter climbing varmints. Generally speaking, the bottoms of nest boxes should be about 5 feet above ground to facilitate monitoring activities. Creating a 3-foot diameter circular barrier centered around the mounting pole filled with several inches of white play sand will help deter rat snakes as well as display paw prints and signs of other unwanted visitors. The sand must be kept clean and loose by raking it after every hard rain.
Placing a molded wood fiber nest cup in the nest box will enable you to inspect the nest without destroying its physical integrity. Be sure the nest cup fits snugly in the bottom of the nest box.
Keep the grass around the base of the nest box trimmed and free of yard debris that could provide a hiding place for predators.
Check the area around the nest box for ant hills especially fire ants. Dispose of ant hills immediately by spraying them with an organic pesticide such as Pyrethrin. Cover up treated ant hills with dirt to prevent ant-eating birds such as Northern Flickers from ingesting the poisoned ants.
Spray the metal mounting pole with PAM cooking spray to deter ants and mites from climbing the pole. You will need to re-apply the PAM from time to time.
Inspect your nest boxes frequently for active wasp infestations. Bluebirds often will not select nest boxes with wasp infestations and may abandon nests that have become infested. If you encounter an active wasp infestation, don padded garden gloves and physically destroy the wasps and their nest including the nest stem.
Do NOT spray the interior of nest boxes with pesticides of any kind.
Apply a generous coating of unscented ivory soap on the interior of the roof, sides, and door to deter subsequent wasp infestations.
Tip: Always check the interior of the nest box door from the side first. Wasps will often build their nests on the interior of nest box doors and you may be stung on the hand if not careful.
Check the nest box and interior of the nest for mites. You will have to look very closely and may even need a magnifying class to see them. If you find a mite infestation, use a molded wood fiber nest cup and make an artificial nest of pine straw or rough dried grasses lined with fine grasses. Carefully remove the eggs or nestlings from the mite-infected nest, dust them off with a very fine soft brush and place them in the artificial nest. Thoroughly clean the nest box with a cloth and warm water. Bag and dispose of the infected nest. Re-insert the artificial nest into the clean nest box.
Nest box mounting supplies and molded wood fiber nest cups can be purchased at most wild song bird supply stores.
Contact me bluebird-shepherd if you would like free D-I-Y plans for nest boxes and mounting systems.
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