Sparrow Bait?

[APB]

Hi everyone,

I just built my own repeating sparrow trap for use this year. By all measures, it should work.

What is the best bait to use?

I have seen some mention of cracked corn???


Thanks!

Allen

[Matt F.]

Hi Allen.
Here is a quote taken from the PMCA's page about their Repeating Bait Trap (RBT):

Proper baiting of the trap with the preferred food of House Sparrows is very important for success. Use red millet, 1/2"-square chunks of white bread, and cracked corn, placed liberally on both the removable metal bait tray, the wooden bait porch just outside the pivot cage, inside the trap, and on the ground just in front of the trap. It is very important to bait all four locations, at least until House Sparrows find the bait station and feed on the bait on the ground outside the trap. Keep the bait fresh, especially after a rain.

Here is the page that quote was taken from:
http://purplemartin.org/inst/InstRBT.html

[Stretch]

this is good to know too. I recently built a repeater and I bought cheap wild bird seed (Kaytee). I catch more cardinals and nuthatchers than I do HOSPs.

I think I will try just red millet and bread and corn. I'm tired of catching the beautiful cardinals...but what's nice is you just let them go

[Chriscreole]

I couldnt find red millett will the black work, its a mix with the cracked corn, says it is for sparrows

[BumBee]

I use the cheap bird seed mix from Wally World. I also use this to fill
my feeders with.

[KathyF]

this is good to know too. I recently built a repeater and I bought cheap wild bird seed (Kaytee). I catch more cardinals and nuthatchers than I do HOSPs.

I think I will try just red millet and bread and corn. I'm tired of catching the beautiful cardinals...but what's nice is you just let them go

Stretch, if you're catching cardinals - it may help to move your trap. Same thing happened to me last year. Kept catching cardinals over & over. Then I moved the trap & never caught another one and caught 10 house sparrows in 2 weeks.

[threelilkids]

Try cat food , mine go crazy for it ( meow mix), that and white bread. Mary

[Stretch]

this is a great discussion!

I will move it...it is right beneath the feeder where I have a bunch of cardinals.

I may even try cat food...I've seen how HOSPs come and steal it. Good stuff here!

Thank you!

[sjsmith]

Allen, all i have ever used is cracked corn and have had no problem catching them. All i've ever caught with it are sparrows save for one grackle who is no longer with us. I hate those things too but thats another story. Once you get that first female in the holding cage. Keep her in there and feed and water her and she will keep on attracting others. Good luck.

[John & Linda - KY]

See the thread linked below. -- John

http://www.purplemartin.org/forum/viewt ... highlight=