| Bird houses add charm, whimsy, and beauty as | | | | drainage, ease of access for maintenance and |
| well as a place for birds to nest. It is no | | | | protection from predators. You should also |
| wonder that the bird house and bird feeder | | | | make sure that no harmful chemicals where used |
| industry is growing. There are safety factors | | | | on the materials used for the building of your bird |
| to consider when buying or building a bird | | | | house. You would not want your new friends |
| house. There are some birds that will use a | | | | to become sick. Part of proper maintenance |
| bird house and others that are not attracted to | | | | of your new bird house is to check them for |
| them. | | | | unwanted critters, such as fleas, wasp, or flies. |
| Types of Bird Houses | | | | Sometimes mice and others will want to take up |
| The type of bird house you will use depends on | | | | residence in your bird house. The main thing to |
| the type of bird or birds that you want to attract | | | | remember if this happens is to remove them. |
| to your home. Bird houses come in many | | | | If insects are the problem, use only pesticides |
| shapes, sizes, colors and materials. One of the | | | | that are not harmful to your feathered friends. |
| best types of bird houses is the wooden one. | | | | "If wasps are a problem, coat the inside top of |
| There are several reasons to choose this type of | | | | the box with bar soap" (US Fish & Wildlife Service |
| bird house. Wooden bird houses can breath for | | | | "Homes for Birds"). One of the problems that |
| ventilation, are durable and have a good insulation | | | | you may encounter while cleaning the nest and |
| quality to them. Gourds are another good | | | | parasites or insects are present, baby birds may |
| material for bird houses. They are functional, | | | | also be present. If one of the baby birds gets |
| breathable, and pretty as well. Properly | | | | out of the nest you can pick it up and put it back |
| designed pottery, concrete, and plastic houses will | | | | where it was. Birds have a lousy sense of |
| breathe and are also durable. When choosing the | | | | smell and they will not reject the babies because |
| bird house that you will use for your feathered | | | | you helped them. |
| friends always check for proper ventilation, | | | | Don't let the care and safety be a deterrent in |
| drainage, and easy access for maintenance and | | | | deciding whether you want a bird house or |
| monitoring. When considering the type of bird | | | | not. The upkeep and maintenance is part of |
| house that you want another thing to think about | | | | the joy and can be a wonderful way to learn |
| are safety and maintenance. | | | | more about your new birds. You will quickly |
| Safety and Proper Maintenance | | | | become a backyard birder with your new bird |
| Items to consider once you have chosen the | | | | house or houses. The joy of watching beautiful |
| type of bird house that you want are ventilation, | | | | bird is an immeasurable pleasure. |