Use a water-based finish.
If left unfinished, your exterior birdhouses will warp, rot and/or turn a weathered gray. To prevent this occurrence and add beauty to the birdhouse, finish it with the appropriate coating. Some types of finishes will repel birds from the sanctuary. Prevent this by identifying an appropriate nontoxic finish that the birds can live with.
The Wrong Finishes
Freshly-applied oil-based stains and paints emit noxious fumes that can cause headaches and nausea. Even after they've completely dried and cured, these coatings may still put off subtle fumes that could discourage birds from nesting in your birdhouse. Don't use any sort of petroleum-based finish on your birdhouse, or it will likely remain uninhabited.
Latex Stain
Latex stain is well-suited for birdhouses because it has a nontoxic water base. You can apply latex stain directly over bare wood; it tends to last for several years. Be sure to let the latex stain dry and cure in the sun for about two weeks before installing it atop a post or in a tree. If you install the birdhouse too soon, residual odors may cause the birds to avoid the house.
Acrylic Latex Paint
Like latex stain, acrylic latex paint is safe for birdhouses because it has a water base. While plain latex paint is well-suited for interior environments, it may not provide adequate durability on exterior birdhouses, which are exposed to weather and ultraviolet rays. For a lasting finish, choose an acrylic latex paint that won't fade or crack as temperatures fluctuate. To be safe, let the acrylic latex finish cure for two weeks before installing the house.
Acrylic Enamel
Like latex finishes, acrylic enamel has a water base; however, enamels are far more durable than acrylic latex paint. Acrylic enamels dry with a glossy sheen that makes them resistant to stains and friction-based abrasion. An acrylic enamel will provide the most enduring finish to your birdhouse and won't repel birds. Be sure to let the enamel cure for two weeks to be on the safe side.
Warnings
Not all enamels are water-based. Before you purchase an enamel to finish your birdhouse, check the label to be sure it is not an oil-based product. If you accidentally apply an oil-based enamel to your birdhouse, it will likely remain uninhabited.
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