How to attract titmice to a nest box?

How to Attract Chickadees to a Nest Box Here are some steps you can follow to attract chickadees to your nest box:

1. Place the nest box in a sheltered, sunny location: titmice like to take shelter and prefer sunny locations.

2. Provide food: Chickadees are attracted to seeds and nuts. You can set up a feeder near the nest box or place these foods on a windowsill or table.

3. Grow plants with nectar-rich flowers: Chickadees are attracted to flowers that provide them with nectar. Plant flowers such as pansies, nasturtiums and marigolds.

4. Provide water: Chickadees need water for drinking and bathing. Provide a small fountain or shallow trough filled with water near the nest box.

5. Be patient: It may take some time for the chickadees to discover the nest box and settle in. Be patient and continue to offer them food and comfortable shelter.

Recommendation for a titmouse nest box:

It is recommended to place the nest box in a quiet place, on a wall, tree or stake and hang it at a height of 1.5 to 4 meters in the branches of a fruit tree. The flight hole should be turned away from the prevailing winds and the nest box slightly tilted forward to protect the birds from the elements.

An east or south-east orientation of the flight hole is recommended. It is recommended to put the nest box in place in autumn or at the end of winter. A wood-concrete nest box can be left permanently, including during the cold seasons, while a wooden nest box can be removed or left in place.

It is recommended to maintain a distance of at least 10 meters between two nest boxes to avoid food competition. The number of nest boxes to install depends on the space available, but it is recommended to install several nest boxes while respecting this distance of 10 meters.

To protect the nest box from predators, it is recommended to install it at a height of 2 to 4 meters and to install a ribbon of brambles at the foot of the chosen tree. It is important to check the condition of the nest box every year and to clean it to avoid the transmission of diseases and eliminate parasites.

To clean it, use a metal brush and gloves to protect yourself. If the nest box is very dirty, you can blowtorch it and use thyme or wild thyme oil on the walls to sanitize and disinfect.