Wild About Wild Life

I recently had a question from a reader that caught my attention and I had trouble getting back with her because of a bad email address. However, the questions were good and this seems to be a good time to share them as we get our bird houses and wildlife feeders prepared for business soon. I hope this will be a help to others that may have simular questions as did this reader.

I was just looking for advice online and found your information on the Wild About Wildlife website and wanted to ask you something.
 I have a lot of birdhouses in my backyard and last year they all had wasp nests in them.  I didn’t know what to do (obviously, can’t spray pesticide at them), so I thought I would try and get them out when it was cold.  Well, winter came quickly and I never got around to it, and it’s already starting to warm up here (Idaho) and I’m afraid I’m out of my very cold days (it’s getting into the 40’s now – I was going to do it during a snowday or single digits).  And since I’m a big chicken (as well as allergic to stings), I’m nervous about pulling them down and trying to clean them out now.  Do the nests get vacated in the fall/winter or do they hibernate in there? If they are in there, is there anything I can do to get them out?  I was thinking of flooding them.  Will that work?  Also, some of the houses only have the little round hole, if I knock it down in there with a stick, will they come back to rebuild?  I need to do this soon since we will be moving soon and I want to take my lovely birdhouses with me.  Can you give me some advice as to how to get these things out??Thanks to the annonymous reader who asked some really great questions. Here are some answers to help you out.

Q:  Do the  (Wasps) nests get vacated in the fall/winter or do they hibernate in there?   I’m nervous about pulling them down and trying to clean them out now. I didn’t know what to do (obviously, can’t spray pesticide at them), so I thought I would try and get them out when it was cold.

A:  At the end of the autumnal months the wasps’ nest dies off, leaving only the young mated queens alive. These Queens fly away and find a safe place to hibernate for the winter. They tend to choose warm, sheltered sites, such as sheds or lofts. It is not uncommon to find a queen wasp hibernating in the folds of household curtains, or other undisturbed fabrics in the home.
So the wasp nest should be dormant and ready for removal….
However, if you are still a bit uncomfortable , you may take a water power sprayer, and soak the inside of the hole.

Q:  How to clean them out?

A:  Cleaning out your birdhouses isn’t a hard task either.
The best way to approach this is once you have scraped out the nestbox and made sure all of the drain and vent holes are open, you can disinfect birdhouses by spraying them with a 10% bleach solution (one part bleach, nine parts water). If you decide to disinfect your birdhouses, leave them open for 24 hours to allow them to dry before closing them back up. I recommend disinfecting your nestboxes if you have evidence of parasites in any specific boxes.

Q:  Also, some of the houses only have the little round hole, if I knock it down in there with a stick, will they come back to rebuild?

A:  You can prevent wasps and bees from establishing themselves by applying a thin layer of soap (use bar soap) onto the inside surface of the roof. This will create a slippery surface between the insects and the roof of the box. For more information about keeping wasps and bees from building in your nest box go to:  http://nestbirds1.com/?cat=48

Hope this helps you reader as well as the rest of you. Thanks for making Wild About Wildlife one of your favorite sites.

Yours Truely,

~ The Birdhouse Guy ~

 

If you haven’t done so already, NOW is a good time to get your bird houses set up and put out. The best way to get birds to inhabit your artificial cavities is to have them out before breeding season begins which should be right around late summer or early fall. This will give your local and native wild birds plenty of time to locate the houses, as it may take some time to do so. The time frame you set them out should be more than enough to allow the houses to be well-weathered by the time the birds occupy. If you want to provide a safe haven for annual migratory birds, then it would be a good idea to keep the bird houses up all year around for them to have a “rest area” of sorts, or a place to hang their hat while on their journey. After the nesting season, you can take them down for cleaning and then put them back up again. 

There are instances that birds will not begin nesting immediately as it takes time for birds to find a birdhouse. If it is impossible to set-up birdhouses by fall, they should be in place as early as possible in the winter. Bird watchers should not wait to see birds in their yards before mounting or hanging their nest boxes.

As discussed in earlier posts, location of the birdhouse is just as important in attracting certain kinds of birds as the size of the box. For instance, Purple Martins are very particular about the size of the box, the hole, the height, etc.  Birds, depending on the species,  may prefer wooded to shady area or open grassy areas. (For more information on what the local birds in your neck of the woods prefer, visit: http://www.wildlife-houses.com/product_info.php?cPath=13&products_id=307&osCsid=8d168d8ac0d7a5bf1f2436f6dedc2b0f     However, dense shade is not recommended, as most wild birds prefer a sunny open space. It is not advisable to mount birdhouses on the sides of trees as this can give squirrels and cats easy access to it.

The last thing you want to do is to put up your birdhouses and artificial cavities in the Spring, as it just may be too late and you’ll miss out on enjoying the inhabitation and activies of joy that your native birds bring as they occupy your bird house.

For a great selection of edible and decorative bird houses, suet, feeders, birdbath’s, book, dvd, toys, etc….visit The Birdhouse Outlet @ www.wildlife-houses.com And be sure and get your feeders and birdhouses out NOW so you can be ready to help and house your native wildbirds and help in the natural pollination and preservation of wildlife. And looking forward to hearing your success stories come Spring time. It’s not too far away. Best Wishes and Happy Birding to ALL of you.

Birdbaths

Birdbaths are the fastest and easiest way to add water to your backyard when you are wanting to provide the BEST experience for your humming birds and other north american birds, and any other wild, native birds in your area of the world.  Birdbaths come in three basic designs: 

• Pedestal: These classic birdbaths stand three to four feet above the ground and include a post-style base on an elevated dish. Pedestal birdbaths may be plastic, metal or concrete and come in many decorative designs and colors. Some models also include small fountains or bubblers.
• Dish: A simple saucer or shallow bowl can be used for a dish birdbath. Dishes can be used at different heights by being placed on the ground, a fence, patio table or patio rail, stump or steps. Hanging dishes and models that attach to deck railings are available and are especially great for birds that inhabit hanging nests such as the Orioles and Wrens.
• Heated: A heated birdbath is essential in colder climates. It takes a lot of energy to melt snow to drink, and birds willingly visit available water sources all year round which will make your bird watching much more enjoyable. Heater accessories can be added to existing birdbaths. Fully heated models are available as well.  For more information, visit: http://www.wildlife-houses.com/index.php?cPath=5&&page=2

For birds to feel comfortable using a birdbath, it should not be more than two or three inches deep with a slight, gripping slope along the edges. Adding an overturned saucer or level rocks to the center of the bath can add a shallower section or island for birds to use. The birdbath should also have rough surfaces to provide traction when wet.

Misters

Misters are a favorite way for hummingbirds to find water and they will often hover in a mister repeatedly on a hot day. Misters also provide moving water to attract other birds, and if they are properly positioned they will drip into a birdbath for even more motion.

Misters may be attached to birdbaths or they can come as separate water features that attach to a garden hose. For the best effect, position the mister in a partially shaded area that has several perches available.

Ponds

Backyard ponds of any size can attract songbirds and water fowl when positioned around any nesting cavity, bird house or birds nest. The pond should have areas that are shallow enough for small birds to bathe and the water level should reach perches for easy drinking access.

Ponds can often be combined with waterfalls or streams to add moving water to attract even more birds. It is a good idea to add arificial butterflies, native plants,  fish and other natural elements will help create both food sources and shelter that will make the water especially attractive to warblers,  ducks, geese and other water birds.

Waterfalls

Waterfalls can cascade into a pond or be independent pool. Kee in mind, that the water flow will create a dynamic drinking and bathing area for your local, native birds. The movement and noise of the water will interest many birds, and structuring the waterfall to help birds access the water The waterfall should include shallow basins that collect water. Some birds will stand under small water streams, but heavy falls are less desirable. Natural materials such as slate and native rock will be the most attractive to birds. Add wild bird-friendly landscaping around the waterfall to create a habitat with food plants and shelter for native birds to enjoy the BEST experience.

An artificial or natural stream adds flowing water to a backyard landscape that will be especially attractive to wild birds. Adding rocks will create perches and keep the water depth suitable for birds to bathe and drink. If the stream is large enough to include a small bridge, nest boxes can be added beneath the bridge to attract swallows and other birds that thrive on the insects near water. Placing a stream near a nest birds bird feeder is another thought of location as well.

Cleaning Water Features for Birds

Water features will attract the most birds when the water is clean and fresh, even those who may be participating in bird migration. Standing water features such as birdbaths and dishes should be cleaned daily, while moving and flowing water will naturally stay fresher and can be cleaned less frequently. Flowing water is a natural cleanser of birds feathers and grime and will also be a great attraction of migratory birds as well. A garden bird bath placed near by will add to the attraction as well.

Any bird enthusiast  should never add harsh chemicals to water features to control algae growth or purify water. Keep in mind that feeding birds may be subject to the dangers of these chemicals. This whole atmosphere is to promote natural pollination and natural insect control in your yard. Even in small concentrations, such chemicals can be dangerous to birds. Pesticide, fertilizer and herbicide use should also be limited near bird water features.

*For more information on this subject, consider this:  http://www.wildlife-houses.com/product_info.php?cPath=13&products_id=309

One of the most important things that a birder can do to attract native birds to their yards is to install a birdbath. No matter what species, all birds need water and adding one or more water features to your yard will attract them. Let’s take a look at some of the options that we can use to best fit not only our yard, but also our pocket book. I hope these ideas will benefit you and your native bird friends.

Why Birds Need Water

Birds need water for two reasons: drinking and preening (To smooth or clean (feathers) with the beak or bill.)  Water helps keep a bird’s body cool both from the inside and outside. Water baths can also remove dust, loose feathers, parasites and other debris from a bird’s plumage. Offering water in your backyard will attract more wild birds than just food sources, since birds that would not normally visit feeders can be tempted by water features. Most all birds will attract to include: hummingbirds, north american birds, and native birds.

Most Popular Types of Water

Any water is an improvement on a dry backyard, but standing water is the least effective for attracting birds. While they will eventually find it, standing water is not dynamic enough for many migrating birds or casual bird species to notice.

Moving water will attract more birds because the motion catches their eye and they can hear any dripping, sprinkles or splashes. Adding a jiggler accessory to a standing birdbath adds motion easily. A hose dripping into a dish or pond can have a similar effect and will attract more wild birds.  Active splashes can be heard from quite a distance and will attract a wide range of bird species.  Flowing water, such as waterfalls, also stays cleaner and is less likely to harbor parasites or bacteria that could harm birds.

Different Options to Offer Birds Water

There are several ways to offer birds water in your backyard. The most popular options include:

• Birdbaths
• Misters
• Ponds
• Waterfalls
• Streams

In our next segment, we will look at the many options that are available to suit your needs in your yard as well as what will be the most effective for the native birds in your local area. We’ll look at different types of bird baths, misters and ponds. For those of you that really want to enhance the ornighological experience in your yard and have the time and money, we will even cover waterfalls and streams and cleaning water features for the baths and birds.

If you have any questions concerning this or any other topic, write to me at: freedomenterprises@bresnan.net or for some water ideas for your particular yard and birds species, take a look at:  http://www.wildlife-houses.com/index.php?cPath=9&osCsid=cd424104c70f0e81ed664b589bbed813

HAPPY BIRDING!!!