Hello to all,
We've been very busy growing our second year colony this year. As of Friday, we have 23 pair, 6 fledgees, 77 hatchlings and 9 eggs left. Last year we had zero mites in our first year. This year I added 4 Troyer Horizontal Gourds with Connely 2 entrances. All four were claimed. Two weeks ago I discovered a severe mite infestation in one of the THG's. I treated with sevin heavy and avoided a nest change. This week another THG had a developing mite infestation. I treated with sevin yesterday and saw no mites today. I have not seen any mites in any of our BO11's, Super Gourds nor any of our natural gourds. In our first year we offered 15 gourds on two racks. This year we have 42 gourds up and only three are open. We have 14 single SY males that have caused havoc in the colony! I have lost a few hatchlings and eggs to them. Back to the mite question! We have installed 2 3/4" vents in each THG. Has anyony else run across mite problems in the THGourds?
Mites in Troyer Horizontal Gourds
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dhjohnson
- Posts: 478
- Joined: Thu Jan 26, 2012 4:24 pm
- Location: North Carolina/Clayton
- Martin Colony History: 5th year hostess. Currently 58 confirmed breeding pair. 218 Fledged, 35 older nestlings, 2 new nests with 8 nestlings. 100% occupancy
Debbie Johnson
Clayton/NC (Archer Lodge)
2012 New Site 6 pair, 21 Fledged
2013 24 pair, 102 eggs, 94 hatched, 89 Fledged. What a great year!
2014 37 pair, 211 eggs, 193 Hatched, 178 Fledged, 1 nest of 5 young left! Late start but picked up speed quickly!
Clayton/NC (Archer Lodge)
2012 New Site 6 pair, 21 Fledged
2013 24 pair, 102 eggs, 94 hatched, 89 Fledged. What a great year!
2014 37 pair, 211 eggs, 193 Hatched, 178 Fledged, 1 nest of 5 young left! Late start but picked up speed quickly!
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tonyg
- Posts: 1520
- Joined: Fri Feb 27, 2009 4:16 pm
- Location: Olpe, KS
- Martin Colony History: 22 year landlord, 14 at current residence..offering 9 racks and a homemade T-8 for 166 total cavities. 160 Pair in 2018 Racks consist of a Deluxe 12, AAA 16, Starburst 16, 2 K-18 Series, Super 24, 2 Gemini, Multi-purpose/two trio’s/4gourds and a T-8..Great hobby to be involved in..
No mites for me in my Troyers.. As soon as I see the parents start bringing in green leaves, I lower my racks and and put sevin dust in each one which includes all my gourds, ( super gourds, bo 11's, bo 9's, and both kind of troyers). Always seems to remedy the problems if any occur.
22 year landlord..9 Rack Systems for 2018 and my home built T-8 for a total of 166 cavities..160 pair in 2018 ..SUPER COLONY!!! Love You Bev... Fan of those St. Louis Cardinals!!!!!
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Louise Chambers
- Site Admin
- Posts: 6208
- Joined: Tue Nov 04, 2003 1:07 pm
- Location: Corpus Christi, TX
I think tunnels that slide over onto a gourd give a great hiding place for mites, one that's hard to reach with any kind of treatment or control.
For next season - caulk the inside & outside seams, or overlap places, that would let mites hide. I think a thorough caulk job will greatly reduce mite problems, by denying them a safe place out of your reach. The same goes for any gourd accessories or add ons - if they offer a hiding place, caulk or seal wherever you can.
For next season - caulk the inside & outside seams, or overlap places, that would let mites hide. I think a thorough caulk job will greatly reduce mite problems, by denying them a safe place out of your reach. The same goes for any gourd accessories or add ons - if they offer a hiding place, caulk or seal wherever you can.
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dhjohnson
- Posts: 478
- Joined: Thu Jan 26, 2012 4:24 pm
- Location: North Carolina/Clayton
- Martin Colony History: 5th year hostess. Currently 58 confirmed breeding pair. 218 Fledged, 35 older nestlings, 2 new nests with 8 nestlings. 100% occupancy
Words to live by...Thanks Tony and Louise!
Debbie Johnson
Clayton/NC (Archer Lodge)
2012 New Site 6 pair, 21 Fledged
2013 24 pair, 102 eggs, 94 hatched, 89 Fledged. What a great year!
2014 37 pair, 211 eggs, 193 Hatched, 178 Fledged, 1 nest of 5 young left! Late start but picked up speed quickly!
Clayton/NC (Archer Lodge)
2012 New Site 6 pair, 21 Fledged
2013 24 pair, 102 eggs, 94 hatched, 89 Fledged. What a great year!
2014 37 pair, 211 eggs, 193 Hatched, 178 Fledged, 1 nest of 5 young left! Late start but picked up speed quickly!
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Dave Duit
- Posts: 2146
- Joined: Tue Nov 25, 2003 2:02 pm
- Location: Iowa / Nevada
- Martin Colony History: In 2026, 88 pair with 333 fledged youngsters. 110 total cavities available, 82 Troyer Horizontal gourds and a homemade PVC / metal 28 compartment unit, 1 fallout shelter. Hawk and owl guards included. Martin educator and speaker. President and founder of the Iowa Purple Martin Organization. Please visit Iowa Purple Martin Organization on Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1627283871068161 Emails send to [email protected]. Subject line include Iowa Purple Martin.
Thanks for the advice Louise. Half my gourds are Troyers and I will caulk them for next year. I think regardless of style of gourd, that mites will always find a nook or cranny to take up residence. My Big Bo 11s and super gourds have also had mites in the past years, so I hope people don't single out the troyer gourds.
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jr 2
- Posts: 749
- Joined: Fri Jun 17, 2011 3:20 pm
- Location: ohio,proctorville(just across ohio river from huntington,west virginia)
yes; in the gardening dept or any hardware store would have it;;i put 5% sevin in when i put the nest material in each compartment; jr2
PMCA member; s 2011 2 pair fledged 3; 2012 3 asy pair,4 sy pair,2013 8 asy pair,6 sy pair;2014 19 asy pair,2 sy pair
Mites!!!
I have had Mites at my site for past 3 years but in only 2 Natural Gourds each year and never in same Gourds. Every year after all have left I soak every Gourd in 20% Bleach water for 25 minutes and let them dry for 3 days and then put in Seven Dust. In the Spring I add Cedar Shavings and hang them. But after the first warm spring rain I have found them. To get rid of them I do a Nest change and use a Bug Replant called Mosquito and Fly Spray made by Country Vet. I get this Spray at Tractor Supply, it is used in Chicken houses. I Spray inside and outside of the Gourd and the Rack just past 2 adjoining Gourds. Before I put the chicks in a small box I spray inside the box and then put the chicks in the box and Mites just jump off them. After this Treatment I don't have Mites for the rest of the season.
Dave
I have had Mites at my site for past 3 years but in only 2 Natural Gourds each year and never in same Gourds. Every year after all have left I soak every Gourd in 20% Bleach water for 25 minutes and let them dry for 3 days and then put in Seven Dust. In the Spring I add Cedar Shavings and hang them. But after the first warm spring rain I have found them. To get rid of them I do a Nest change and use a Bug Replant called Mosquito and Fly Spray made by Country Vet. I get this Spray at Tractor Supply, it is used in Chicken houses. I Spray inside and outside of the Gourd and the Rack just past 2 adjoining Gourds. Before I put the chicks in a small box I spray inside the box and then put the chicks in the box and Mites just jump off them. After this Treatment I don't have Mites for the rest of the season.
Dave