How to Attract Birds to Your Birdhouse—and Keep Other Critters Away

Introducing a birdhouse to your yard might seem as simple as hanging one in your tree or anchoring one to a post. While this gesture may certainly provide a home to local birds in need of a quiet refuge, there are a handful of factors to consider beforehand. For example, not every location is suitable for a birdhouse since birds must feel safe in order to take up residence. 

Should you find yourself with a cute bird family enjoying their new home, you may run into the issue of inadvertently inviting the rest of the animal kingdom into your yard—including pests and unwanted critters. Follow this expert advice on how to attract birds to your birdhouse without running into that very problem. 

The Many Benefits of Birdhouses 

Creating a welcoming space for birds (and other native pollinators) provides them with a habitat that helps them better adapt and survive in the face of shifting climates and urban development—and they make you happy, too. "Attracting birds to your space can help reduce stress and improve well-being, and birds are wonderful at pest control because they feed on a variety of insects and other bugs you may not want in your yard," says Marlene Pantin, the partnerships manager for Plants for Birds, which is part of the National Audubon Society. 

Some birds, including hummingbirds, also play a role in pollination, which promotes a vibrant and healthy ecosystem. They can also help aerate the soil while digging around for worms, which is a boost to your lawn and garden, and encourage biodiversity. There's also something innately satisfying about connecting with and observing nature. It instills a curious wonder and provides educational opportunities—and their sweet songs can also soothe our minds.

Ways to Attract Birds to Your Birdhouse

You can install a birdhouse, but that doesn't necessarily mean birds will consider it a safe place to dwell. Here are a few ways you can make your birdhouse attractive to and cozy for avians.

Choose an Ideal Location 

Familiarize yourself with the birds in your area to better understand their preferred habitat and nesting tendencies. Some birds prefer open areas, while others tend to choose wooded or shrubby spots. Generally speaking, many birds feel safest 5 to 15 feet off the ground, and require protection from wind and direct sunlight. They also tend to prefer low-traffic areas and a clear flight path to the house itself. 

Select the Right Birdhouse 

Understanding the types of birds in your area will also help you determine what birdhouse is best to install. Different birds prefer different birdhouse sizes and hole sizes. Also make sure to select a birdhouse that can withstand the elements. 

Create a Native Plants Garden

"Convert even a small patch of your lawn to native plant gardens or create container gardens on your windowsill, balconies, and porches to make your space more inviting to birds and insects,” Pantin says. "Native plants do a much better job of supporting birds and insects than non-native plant species. They create spaces where birds and pollinators can thrive."

Remove Potential Hazards  

Make sure your yard is welcoming and safe for birds. Pantin says to heed the following tips:

• Turn off unnecessary lighting at night to avoid collisions. 
• Install window screens to make glass less reflective. 
• Keep house cats indoors.
• Avoid insecticides, since these chemicals can harm pollinators (including birds).

Incorporate a Water Feature 

If space allows, consider incorporating a bird bath, water feature, or pond in your yard.  This will naturally attract birds, since they are always seeking water to drink and bathe in. 

7 Ways to Keep Pests Away From Your Birdhouse

When installing birdhouses on your property—and creating an inviting ecosystem for them to thrive—this can inadvertently encourage other critters to make themselves at home. While this is just nature in action, there are steps you can take to minimize nuisances. 

• Install a squirrel baffle: Pantin says that squirrel baffles and squirrel-resistant feeders can help keep pesky squirrels, raccoons, or other small rodents from infringing on bird space. Place them over the birdhouse and any nearby feeders. 
• Elevate the birdhouse: Your birdhouse should sit about 5 to 15 feet off the ground. This helps prevent ground-dwelling animals from accessing or even noticing the house. A smooth metal pole is slippery and difficult to climb.
• Keep the birdhouse in an open space: Clear a 10-foot radius around the birdhouse. It shouldn't be next to branches, fencing, or vegetation, since this allows other critters to easily access the house.  
• Routinely clean the birdhouse: After a bird family vacates, take time to clean the birdhouse to remove old nesting material and debris. This discourages insects and rodents from moving in before the next resident arrives.
• Keep bird feeders at a distance: Bird feeders and water features naturally attract a host of unwanted critters. Place these items far away from the birdhouse to prevent these curious animals from investigating it.
• Clean your feeders: Clean your feeders regularly and dispose of leftover bird seed rather than scattering it on the ground. "Fallen seeds can attract other animals," Pantin says. 
• Bring food inside at night: "Opossums, skunks, raccoons, and bears all enjoy bird food. Most of them forage mainly at night, so if any of these animals become an unwanted problem, bring your feeders inside in the evenings," Pantin says. "If a bear starts visiting your feeder, try taking the feeders down completely for two weeks, then putting them back up again."