Q&A for How to Build a Bluebird House

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Is it necessary to have a screen inside a bluebird house?

Community Answer

It's not necessary, but it's recommended.

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Question

How many can I have in my backyard?

Community Answer

You should do 2-3, spaced out. You don't want to overpopulate your yard, especially when they reproduce.

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Question

How do I keep out house sparrows?

Community Answer

Add a metal ring to the hole on the outside. You can get metal rings in most building supply stores from the plumbing or hardware dept. Glue and/or screw it into the wood so sparrows can't chew through and make the hole larger.

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Question

Should a bluebird house have a perch?

Community Answer

No. No birdhouses should have perches. It gives a place for predators to sit on or get inside the nest.

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Question

Is it necessary for the hole to be a specific distance from the bottom of the bluebird house?

Community Answer

Yes. It is recommend that a bluebird house have the entrance hole 2/3 of the way up.

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Question

Can bluebird houses be painted?

Amy Harrison

Top Answerer

Yes. Use a non-toxic and pet-friendly paint.

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Question

Can bluebird houses be hung from trees?

Community Answer

Generally, it's best to mount a bluebird house on a smooth metal post in the ground (versus hanging it from a tree or nailing to a fence), as this can help prevent predator access into the bluebird house.

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Question

How do I assemble a bird house that is precut?

Community Answer

Look at the instructions, if there are any. If not, try going to a woodworker or figuring it out yourself.

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Question

Where can I get a drill to make the hole?

Community Answer

You can rent or buy drills from places like Home Depot, or other hardware stores around you. If you're not sure where to go, try googling "hardware store near me."

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Question

Is the placement of the hole supposed to be 2 1/4" from the center of the hole to the top, or should it be 2 1/4" from the top of the hole?

Community Answer

It should be 2 1/4" from the top to the hole (not 2 1/4" from the center of the hole to the top).

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Question

Where should the bluebird house be placed?

Community Answer

Place your birdhouse near a few trees, but don't make it too crowded. When in open spaces the birds can feel more vulnerable.

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Question

Why do some bluebird houses have a front porch made out of screen or wire?

Community Answer

Wire can wrap easily around branches and it makes a sturdy surface for the bluebird to walk on.

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Question

How do I prevent squirrels from entering the house?

Community Answer

You could create a separate squirrel feeder or set up some kind of squirrel repellent, like with a spray. However, squirrels are notoriously nosy and unlikely to leave the birdhouse alone forever, so expect this to be an ongoing effort.

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Question

What type of insects do bluebirds eat?

Community Answer

Bluebirds like to eat snails, grubs, caterpillars, and other insect larvae. Grasshoppers, crickets, beetles, ants, spiders, and other insects are also tasty to them.

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Question

For the bluebird house access hole, I don't have a drill bit with the dimension of 1.5625 inches. Could the writer have meant 1.625 inches (1 5/8 inch)?

Community Answer

I'm no expert, but I think you are right, 4 decimal places on a hole for a bird house is ridiculous. I bet it was a cut and paste and he/she intended to type over the 5. Plus, I don't think I've ever seen a drill bit that went to 4 decimal places.

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Question

What color paint should I paint my bluebird house?

Community Answer

Bluebirds are actually attracted to the color blue, so maybe leave the natural wood and put a few accent blue flowers or anything else you want to put on your box. Hummingbirds are attracted to red, pink, yellow or orange. Orange attracts orioles and yellow attracts warblers, and woodpeckers. Research shows that green or blue houses actually attract more birds than yellow or red ones.

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Question

What direction should the opening face when building a bluebird house?

Community Answer

Face it away from the direction of the wind most of the year. If placing on a pole instead of a tree to keep away from other birds and predators, you may want to place in a flowerbed in front of a window where you can watch with the hole facing the window.

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Question

Any certain color for the house?

Community Answer

Usually you don't need any colour. It can be any colour, though bright colours may attract predators.

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