I have several bluebird nesting boxes around our yard. Every fall I go through and clean them out. Years ago I read how important it is to clean them out in the fall so the old nesting material doesn't attract bugs. Hubby and I were discussing this and he thought it would be best to wait until spring to clean them out. His theory was the birds may need the nesting material for winter warmth. And to wait until spring to clean out the nesting boxes. Thought I'd see what everyone else does/has to say on this topic. My yard is registered with the Wildlife Federation, maybe they will have an answer to this question as well.

We clean ours out after they are thru with nesting. Don't know the correct timing. We only have 1 box. I hope to get more before spring.

I usually clean mine out after they are through nesting.

we cleaned out after nesting...( fall ) I just always assumed it was to allow the winter to removed any scent of human.....but I dont know...

I just cleaned out our wren "condo". The nesting material was packed so tightly, I could hardly get it out. The material was damp and yucky. No wonder my birds left after the last big storm. I haven't seen a bird there since the storm whereas we used to have about 15 birds or more. I was glad I cleaned it out. What a mess!

we always clean ours out when they leave, they use it several times thru the year, not certain it's the same pair, we have 2 houses but only one pair at a time nesting