North Carolina Bluebird Society


Monitoring
Many people are hesitant about looking into their nest boxes, but monitoring your boxes regularly can give bluebirds a much greater chance of survival. Monitoring leads to the early detection of problems and provides valuable statistical data.
When you check the nest box, be sure to eliminate wasps, blowfly larvae, ants, and mites. Do not use pesticides in the nest box! Remove dead birds immediately! Remove and dispose of old nests as soon as the young have fledged. This prevents the birds from building a new nest on top of the old one. Control House Sparrows!	Checking a side opening nest box Photo by Liz Schmid

Monitoring Tips
Nest boxes should be monitored at least once a week during nesting season. Do NOT open occupied nest boxes once the nestlings are fourteen days old. Tap on the side of the nest box before opening it. Do not stand in front of the entrance hole! The adult will usually leave and the young will huddle down in the nest. Open the box very slowly and carefully. Be prepared for predators and wasps. Check the box quickly and leave. Check the boxes in the afternoon during egg laying time. Remove and dispose of the nest as soon as the young have fledged. Clean the nest box thoroughly and rub unscented ivory soap on the interior surfaces as a wasp deterrent. Use a molded wood fiber nest cup in nest boxes to facilitate nest building as well as monitoring activities.

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