Tit Box

Hiya folks, no sniggering please
We have one in the garden which has been occupied in the past, according to the previous owner. I notice that some Blue Tits have shown quite a bit of interest, but question is, should I clean out the box as there's still some old nest material inside?

 

I've never cleaned ours out and i've never done the wild nests

 

How exciting and lucky you! They will probably do it for themselves @Freddy if they think it needs it.
The best time to do it though (if you are inclined) would be *after* they have all left the nest and *before* they start looking for a new home. In my experience that would be late summer because they begin scouting out nest boxes in Autumn and then settle in in Spring.
Hope you manage to get some photo's of any action

 

Hiya 'M'

Will do. It might be of some interest that the previous owner fitted a camera inside the box, so we're able to watch what's going on inside on a tv in the dining room, just like Springwatch

 

Wow - now that is going to be awesome!

I recall Lidl was selling cameras for bird boxes a few years ago ... sadly they didn't have any when I went, but it's something I plan on doing at some point in my lifetime.
(I had to content myself with hatching ducklings instead )

 

They normally won't use the same box two years running unless it is cleaned as they want to avoid the inevitable parasites. If accommodation is very scarce they will reuse. I find an easy way to clean is, after removing nesting material, pour in boiling water. This is usually adequate.
I agree with M that late summer would be a good time.
Mind you don't pour boiling water on your camera set up though That sounds fab, I'd love one!

 

Anytime after late June as they only have one brood.