FAQs

Why do we need nest boxes? Aren't natural hollows the best solution for wildlife?

Natural hollows are the best solution for wildlife and in an ideal world we would not need to provide artificial habitat for hollow using fauna. However, land clearing for a range of reasons both in Australia and globally has seen a great reduction in the number of old, mature trees that have hollows. Hollows are a critical resource for a range of species with approximately 15% of all vertebrate terrestrial species in Australia using hollows at some point in their lifecycle. Providing nest boxes and other artificial habitat solutions provides an alternative source of habitat where hollow numbers do not meet the demands of hollow using fauna.

Why use plastic? Aren't timber nest boxes better?

Research has shown that timber nest boxes have limited value, particularly for targeted species of concern. We developed our Habitat nest boxes from scratch, going back to look at the key issues as to why timber nest boxes fail or are unsuccessful in attracting their target species. These issues include:

• poor thermal performance - timber nest boxes are significantly hotter inside than ambient temperatures during hot weather, and colder than ambient temperatures during cold weather

• short lifespan - timber nest boxes typically last in the order of 10 years prior to failure

• artificial shapes and appearance - timber nest boxes do not resemble natural tree hollows in appearance or shape

Our nest boxes feature a double-wall of extremely hard, durable, and UV stable plastic to provide insulation to the internal nesting chamber. Our research demonstrates that the thermal properties of our nest boxes much more closely resembles natural tree hollows due to this insulative casing. Additionally, the use of plastic allows for these extra walls without adding significant weight. Further, the plastic exterior protects the timber interior and allows for decades of life in the field while also promoting a higher relative humidity within the nesting chamber - this is critically important for the development of eggs and young in some species.

Is adding plastic to the environment a good idea?

Adding plastic to the environment unnecessarily is not a good idea, but using plastic in a smart manner to overcome known problems with timber nest boxes is a valuable solution. Importantly Habitat nest boxes are extremely durable and will last for decades in the field. At the end of their service life they can be fully recycled into new products and avoid the waste stream. Where applicable we have used recycled materials in our products to further reduce the volume of virgin material in these boxes.

How do the boxes attach to the tree or structure?

We have developed a unique and revolutionary bracket system for the Habitat nest boxes. The bracket is designed to allow the tree to scar or grow over the bracket to hold it in place in the long term. We provide stainless steel hex head screws for attachment with all boxes, and recommend that the tree be scarred back to the cambial layer where the bracket attaches to the tree.

Where this isn't appropriate, an alternative method of attachment is plastic coated wire which can be threaded through custom made channels in the bracket. By bending kinks into the wire it will allow for tree growth behind the bracket without leading to box failure.

The brackets can also be attached simply to virtually any surface including living or dead trees, poles, walls, bridges etc.