How should I position and mount the birdhouse?

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: Don’t 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.

How do I assemble the bird house?

The instructions you need can be found here

I'd like to plant the label. How do I do it?

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

• Soak the card in water for 30-60 minutes.
• Whilst the card is soaking, prepare a seed tray with potting compost. (Normal compost will be fine)
• Level off the compost and water.
• After soaking, place the card on the compost and gently press down but do not cover the card with compost.
• Place the seed tray in a propogator or cover with cling film and out in a warm sunny place such as the kitchen window sill or conservatory.
• Try not to let the card dry ou. Gently spray with water if it looks like drying.

Why is the self-assembly birdhouse the same price as the assembled one?

We actually build each birdhouse in full before taking it apart again for packing — this way we can be sure every piece lines up perfectly when you put it together. That means the work on our side is much the same, and since postage is based on weight, the cost doesn’t change either. The real difference is the experience: with the self-assembly option you get the fun and satisfaction of building it yourself — and it makes a lovely project to enjoy with your kids.

Do you use pressure treated timber?

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.

Is your timber sourced ethically?

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've maintained high standards for over 30 years and aim for 100% responsibly sourced wood and paper by 2025. Find out more here

What is the difference between the 25 mm and 32 mm holes in the birdhouses?

The entrance hole size determines which species are most likely to use the birdhouse. A 25 mm hole is ideal for smaller garden birds such as:

• Blue Tit
• Coal Tit
• Marsh Tit

A 32 mm hole is slightly larger and suitable for:

• 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 don’t use round entrance holes.

By choosing the right entrance, you’re more likely to welcome the species you’d love to see nesting in your garden.

How do I clean out old nests and maintain the birdhouse ready for next year?

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 — this kills off mites and other parasites without the need for chemicals. 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’re 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.

Cleaning helps keep the home healthy for wildlife and gives the birds the best possible start next spring. You can read more guidance from the Wildlife Trusts here

There appears to be a small gap at the bottom of the birdhouse between the floor and the rear panel, is this correct?

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’s by design too — it provides ventilation, helping to regulate temperature and airflow inside the box. These small details make the birdhouse healthier and more comfortable for its residents, giving chicks the best chance to thrive.

Can I paint or decorate my birdhouse?

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 (many brands will label these as child- or pet-safe). Stick to lighter colours if you can — dark shades absorb heat and can make the box too warm inside. And remember, only paint the outside — the inside should always be left natural for the birds.

Once your masterpiece is finished, we’d love to see it! Please send a photo of your decorated birdhouse to ken@smoggi.shop — we may even share some of our favourites.

Do Birds use Birdhouses outside of breeding season, i.e all year round?

Yes 👍 — but how and when resident garden birds use bird houses (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 of birdhouses:Blue Tit, Great Tit, Coal TitHouse Sparrow (especially in terrace-style boxes)Starlings (in larger boxes)Robins (prefer open-fronted boxes)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!Wrens can also gather in large communal roosts.
• Boxes provide:Insulation against coldShelter from wind, rain, and snowProtection from owls, cats, and other predators

✅ Good Practices

• Don’t remove boxes in autumn — they’ll be used as winter roosts.
• Clean out boxes in late summer/early autumn (after breeding ends, before roosting starts).
• Consider adding roosting pockets or extra boxes to give more options in winter.

👉 So yes, resident birds use boxes all year round — in summer to raise chicks, and in winter as safe, warm roosts.

Which birds stay in my garden all year round? and which migrate?

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 (feeds over gardens, nests in outbuildings)
• Swift (screaming groups over towns in summer, gone by August)
• House Martin (mud nests under eaves, gone by Sept/Oct)
• Blackcap (increasingly some overwinter here, but most migrate)
• Chiffchaff (same as Blackcap — some stay, most go south)

Winter Visitors (arrive in autumn, leave in spring)

These often appear in gardens when food is scarce in colder regions:

• Redwing (thrush from Scandinavia/Russia)
• Fieldfare (large flocks feeding on berries, also from Scandinavia/Russia)
• Brambling (a finch that mixes with Chaffinches)
• Siskin (some resident, but many arrive from Europe)
• Waxwing (irruptive visitor in berry-rich years, mainly from Scandinavia)

Partial Migrants (some leave, some stay)

• Starling: Many UK birds stay put, but numbers swell in winter with migrants from mainland Europe.
• Chaffinch: Many stay, but some (especially females) migrate to southern Europe.
• Greenfinch: Mostly resident, but some winter movement southwards.
• Goldcrest: Tiny resident, but many arrive in autumn from Scandinavia.

✅ Rule of thumb:

• Residents = Robins, Tits, Sparrows, Dunnocks, Wrens, Blackbirds (though some Blackbirds do migrate!).
• Migrants = Swallows, Swifts, Martins (summer), Redwings, Fieldfares, Bramblings (winter).
• Mixed/Partial = Starlings, Chaffinches, Blackcaps, Chiffchaffs, Goldcrests.

I'm inspired I want to build my own bird house, where do I start?

Fantastic, you can buy the smoggi birdhouse in kit form on our website from the products page here, or take a look at these instruction from the wildlife truest here. We all need to do our bit for nature to help it thrive alongside us.