Frequently Asked Questions

Getting the placement right is key to making your birdhouse a safe and attractive home for birds:

• Where to face it: Aim between south-east and north to avoid harsh direct sun and driving rain. Tilt it slightly forward so rain runs off the entrance.
• Height and mounting: Fix the birdhouse 2-4 metres above ground. Attach securely to a tree or wall with a screw or wire (use rubber under wire to protect bark).
• Avoid disturbances: Do not place it right next to feeders or busy bird tables. Birds prefer quieter nesting spots with some space between boxes.
• Access & maintenance: Make sure you can reach the birdhouse safely for cleaning and maintenance each year.

These details help keep the nest dry, well-ventilated, and safe for its residents.

Instructions (PDF)

Our labels are imprinted with wildflower seeds. To get the best chances of success:

1. Soak the card in water for 30-60 minutes.
2. While the card is soaking, prepare a seed tray with potting compost (normal compost is fine).
3. Level off the compost and water.
4. After soaking, place the card on the compost and gently press down, but do not cover the card with compost.
5. Place the seed tray in a propagator or cover with cling film and put it in a warm, sunny place such as a kitchen windowsill or conservatory.
6. Try not to let the card dry out. Gently spray with water if it looks like it is drying.

Yes. We use pressure treated timber in our birdhouse construction because it offers far greater longevity and durability outdoors. Modern timber treatments are designed to be safe, with low emissions and no harmful chemicals such as arsenic. This means your birdhouse will last longer in the garden while remaining safe for the wildlife that calls it home.

Yes. All of our timber comes from B&Q in the UK, a retailer committed to responsible sourcing. B&Q ensures its wood, paper, and wood-based materials are either FSC-certified with full chain of custody, PEFC-certified with full chain of custody, or from verifiable recycled sources. They have maintained high standards for over 30 years and aim for 100% responsibly sourced wood and paper by 2025.

The entrance hole size determines which species are most likely to use the birdhouse.

25 mm hole: Blue Tit, Coal Tit, Marsh Tit.

32 mm hole: Great Tit, House Sparrow, Tree Sparrow, Nuthatch.

We also offer a robin house with an open front, as robins (along with wrens and pied wagtails) prefer easy access and do not use round entrance holes. By choosing the right entrance, you are more likely to welcome the species you would love to see nesting in your garden.

The simplest way is to take the birdhouse down, remove the four screws on the front panel, and clear out all the old nesting material. Wear gloves and use boiling water to wash out the inside. Let it dry fully before reassembling and putting it back up.

The best time to do this is in the autumn, between late September and January, once the breeding season has finished and before birds start prospecting again. While you are at it, check for loose screws or any damage so your birdhouse is safe and secure for the next family of birds.

Legal reminder (UK): If you come across unhatched eggs, these may only be removed between September and January, and they must be destroyed. At other times, it is illegal to remove or disturb them under the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981.

Yes. That little gap is intentional. It allows for drainage, so that any rainwater that finds its way inside can escape, keeping the nest dry. You may also notice that not every joint is a completely airtight fit. That is by design too. It provides ventilation, helping to regulate temperature and airflow inside the box.

Of course. Painting or decorating your birdhouse is a lovely way to make it your own. We recommend giving the outside a light sand first so the paint adheres well. Always use water-based, non-toxic paints or wood stains that are safe for wildlife. Stick to lighter colours if you can, as dark shades absorb heat and can make the box too warm inside. Only paint the outside; the inside should always be left natural for the birds.

Once your masterpiece is finished, we would love to see it. Please send a photo to ken@smoggi.shop and we may share some of our favourites.

Yes. How and when resident garden birds use nest boxes depends on the species and the season.

During the breeding season (spring-summer):

Primary use is for nesting and raising young. Typical resident users include Blue Tit, Great Tit, Coal Tit, House Sparrow (especially in terrace-style boxes), Starlings (in larger boxes), Robins (prefer open-fronted boxes), and Wrens (sometimes in open-fronted boxes).

Outside the breeding season (autumn-winter):

Boxes often become roosting shelters. Birds huddle inside at night to keep warm and safe from predators. Tits especially will cram together, sometimes 10+ Blue Tits in a single box on a freezing night.

Good practices: Do not remove boxes in autumn; they will be used as winter roosts. Clean out boxes in late summer or early autumn, after breeding ends but before roosting starts.

Some species migrate completely out of the UK, while others have partial migration (some individuals leave, others stay).

Summer visitors (arrive in spring, leave in autumn):

Swallow, Swift, House Martin, Blackcap (some overwinter), Chiffchaff (some overwinter).

Winter visitors (arrive in autumn, leave in spring):

Redwing, Fieldfare, Brambling, Siskin, Waxwing (irruptive in berry-rich years).

Partial migrants (some leave, some stay):

Starling, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldcrest.

Rule of thumb: Residents include Robins, Tits, Sparrows, Dunnocks, Wrens, and Blackbirds (though some Blackbirds do migrate). Migrants include Swallows, Swifts, Martins (summer), and Redwings, Fieldfares, Bramblings (winter). Mixed or partial include Starlings, Chaffinches, Blackcaps, Chiffchaffs, and Goldcrests.

Fantastic. You can buy the Smoggi birdhouse in kit form on our products page, or take a look at guidance from the Wildlife Trusts. We all need to do our bit for nature to help it thrive alongside us.