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Paint a Birdhouse
In a textbook definition, a birdhouse or a nest box is an artificial house for birds to nest in. Often they are built using wood but there are others that are built using wood and concrete. It is, however, a known fact that these boxes are not just a place where birds nest. To our advantage, it can accentuate walls, yards, gardens, and other parts of a home.
So if you want a great accent to your garden, for example, go for a birdhouse. There are unfinished birdhouses from your local suppliers which you can purchase and finish painting yourself according to your own style. Birds often look for nests that blend in the background so that they won’t be conspicuous among predators. Thus, colors such as grays, browns, or tans are much preferred. As a second choice, however, they go for bright-colored birdhouses. The primary criterion, of course, is safety. It’s not ideal to go for creosote or lead-based paints since they are poisonous to birds and other animals. It’s also not proper to paint the insides or interiors of the birdhouse as the fumes from odorous paints such as oil-based paints might also poison them or make them sick which might lead to death. To prevent such from happening, look for paints that are approved and friendly for birds and other mammals. Often this type of paint is latex or water-based paints such as acrylic paints. Donna Dewberry almost always has tips and techniques when using acrylic. In fact, if you’ve seen one of her shows, you’d know that acrylic paints are fast-drying, so after five hours you’re about to set up that dream birdhouse in no time. Acrylics paints are also flexible when it comes to the outdoors as exposure to the natural environment does not affect them compared to oil-based paints. Acrylic paints do not crack, discolor, and form chalk on the surface of the layer through time. Once applied and dried, acrylic paints act as a protective film or layer that also prevent the formation of mildew and moisture by not trapping it within wood. Oil-based paints tend to trap such within wood and contribute to its decomposition. Acrylic paints, on the other hand, are more breathable in the sense that it allows such to pass through. They also need low maintenance and are more permanent since once dried it is basically non-removable. These qualities then make acrylic paints more economical in the long run. And so if you’re one who’s interested in painting, try birdhouses. Decorate the birdhouses with beautiful artworks such as flowers, butterflies, and such. Not only will you provide shelter for the birds, you are actually attracting them to stay in your garden. |
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