bird boxes

[paulz]

Further to my Q on the Home & Garden bit [cat scarers] before rehanging the box, it it best to clear the old nesting material out, any recommends for painting, is it best to leave it until the end of summer, and what should i paint it with [not creosote]

[Cetti]

The ultra sonic device for cats/foxes does work, although as woofgang says not on elderly (deaf) animals, or the very young - it does keep the critters down though!!

About your bird box, it's unlikely that the Blueys will return, as they usually have just the 1 brood, but it might be an idea to wait until August just in case....

Remove all nesting materials - pour plain boiling water inside the box - dry thoroughly.

You can then use a water-based preservative Fenceguard or Sadolin - apply only to the outside of the box, not around the entrance hole - make sure the box is well aired and dry before putting it up again. It should be 2 - 5 metres up a wall or tree - well out of an acrobatic cat's reach. ;-)