How can I keep field mice from nesting in my blue bire boxes?

Question

I have six blue bird boxes at my home in Connecticut. Each winter the boxes are taken over by a families of field mice that I clean out each spring. When I clean them they are pretty disgusting and smell like urine. Since the mice have started adopting the bird houses for their winter homes, I have had very few blue birds or other birds choosing to use the boxes. Does the use by the mice keep the birds away? Any suggestion on how to keep the mice out? Should I prop the boxes open for the winter so they are less attractive to the mice? Thanks

Answer 1

unfortunately if the mice have already been there and urinated all over it, birds probably won't show interest in it.
However, I learned that if you get some steel wool and put it where you don't want mice to access, they will stay away, because it cuts their feet and when they try to chew through it it cuts their mouths, so if you get new boxes, maybe try to line the floors of them with the steel wool, since blue birds will be too light weight to get cut by it. they will probably just build right on top of it....or better yet, plug the holes up with steel wool in the winter time, so mice wont get in.
I used it to plug a hole where a mouse kept getting into my garage and nothing has messed with the steel wool since I put it in place three years ago, and I have had no mice since then either.

Answer 2

As you haven't indicated whether or not your birdhouses are fixed or movable, it becomes a difficult question to answer. If fixed, then I would plug up all possible entrances, to try and keep the field mice out. You have to remember that mice are very determined. If removable, then store them somewhere, that the mice can not get to them.

Answer 3

Do you know how the mice are getting there? Maybe TangleFoot sticky stuff on the pole will discourage their passage. There is also coyote or fox urine on the market...perhaps around the base where the mice pass by?

Answer 4

Have you considered placing other bird houses around in hopes to re-attract other birds. I believe since the mice have taken over your bird houses and the birds haven't returned due to new tenants and their foul smell. Good luck and hope the bird return to your yard.

Answer 5

Can't you put some sort of shield around the support for the houses so the mice can't climb up to them? How about some kind of locking shutter over the entrances?

Answer 6

Use moth balls.