Several types of maintenance must be performed on Nestbox Lines. They are:
Hantavirus
Hantavirus is a serious disease contracted by humans from exposure to the droppings of several common rodents. Deer 
Mice have been proven to carry Hantavirus. You will find mice in nestboxes in the spring and fall especially near grain fields. A study of Deer Mice was done at Shilo Manitoba were 50% of captured mice had Hantavirus. One person at McAuly, and one person from Hamiota died from Hantavirus. And in Minnedosa a young man almost died after contracting Hantavirus. Therefore before encountering mice in nestboxes it is a good idea to be aware of Hantavirus and the precautions which can help prevent getting it. (more/pdf file)
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Monitoring Lines
Monitoring Your Nestboxes: The number of times the line is monitored is up to you. The essential requirement from the bluebird's point of view is the spring clean-out and repair of boxes. Cleaning out boxes helps reduce nest parasites and keeps the level of nest material low. In the spring, there are almost always a few lids that need replacing and a few mice to be evicted. Since part of the fun of looking after a line lies in the finding out what success you have had and what is using your boxes, several visits during the nesting season are recommended. Three monitoring visits, if carefully timed, should give information on both nestings of bluebirds. Data sheets are provided for you to record your results and these are compiled annually for the area by the Friends of the Bluebirds. The following timetable may need adjusting in accordance with the spring weather:
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| Mid-March to Mid-April | Spring cleaning and repair |
| Mid-May to the third week of June | 1st nesting of bluebirds |
| End of June-July | 2nd nesting of bluebirds |
| September-October | Fall Clean-out |
Mountain Bluebirds spend 4-6 days nest building, then the female lays one egg per day for 5 or 6 days. Incubation takes 13-14 days. The nestlings remain in the nest from 17 to 21 days (It is best not to disturb the young birds after 14 days old or they may fly out prematurly). There is a period of about 4 days before the next clutch of eggs is started, often in the same nestbox. Eastern Bluebirds end to arrive a bit later than the Mountains and usually have a slightly smaller brood (4 or 5) which develops a bit faster.
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Equipment list for Monitoring
- Hammer and nails (various sizes), screws and spare box lids (for repairs).
- Screw drivers(various types)to open boxes and scraping tool to clean out boxes.
- A 6" ruler ( to measure hole size) and wood rasp to enlarge hole if necessary.
- Stool for checking hard to reach boxes.
- Clipboard with cover is best and pencil for records.
- Paint to apply box numbers( a tube of artist's oil is easy to carry and no brush necessary).
- Face mask, gloves and disinfectant- a freshly made 10% Javex solution (For protection against Hantavirus disease).
- Binoculars, bird book, coffee, lunch.
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Please submit your data on the Friends of the Bluebirds Data sheet.