Many people put up a birdhouse in their yard or property and then forget about it. But wild birdhouses need to be cleared out after each nesting season. Nesting material and bird waste will build up over time if not attended to.

When you purchase or build a birdhouse, make sure its design offers easy access to the inside of the house. This is usually accomplished by designing either the top or one side with a hinge so that it can open. Another method to allow access is by having the top or one side lift out for access. An example of an accessible birdhouse is this Eastern Bluebird House.

After your birdhouse is installed, be sure to make a plan to visit it at least once per year with cleaning materials such as a bag to carry away the debris and a brush to clean any waste build up. Your birdhouse will then provide you many seasons of wild bird habitat watching.