Cleaning Marting Houses in Fall in MN
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joyjazz
- Posts: 25
- Joined: Thu Mar 13, 2014 3:13 pm
- Location: MN/Ceylon
- Martin Colony History: Have had Martins for over 50 years
Well my husband made room for my new Martin (replacement) Houses in our garage. I know several of you treat with Sevin before storage, what is the ratio to use? I bought a ready to use Sevin spray on the label it says Carbaryl .126%, Other Ingredients 99.874%. Would this be safe to spray the way it is or should it be diluted? Or what other things do people use for cleaning or do they just leave it alone. Please advise. Thanks in advance.
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John Miller
- Posts: 4863
- Joined: Mon Mar 22, 2004 9:11 pm
- Location: St. Louis, MO
For houses in parks, I brush out as best I can with a dry cloth and little putty knife and close up. I clean outside surfaces with 10 percent bleach spray. Some people worry that mites overwinter. I feel I reduce the load enough, but a quick hit of liquid sevin probably would not hurt as it should dissipate by spring.
For gourds I store in the shed, I hose out and let dry...same. If I bring into the house workshop to repair, I might squirt a quick hit of liquid sevin, just in case some mites were in there, but most of the time I don't do this either and so far have not had problem.
If you want to use some liquid pre-mixed sevin before winter storage, I'd suggest straight as mixed from the store, but should not require much. One quick hit. Now, I'm basing this on an assumption that the liquid with the ratio you describe is comparable to 5% powder sold for gardens. With the latter, only one-half teaspoon or less tapped in tiny amounts in the corners of nests will kill mites within 24 hours. But I don't know if the liquid is more or less potent or if it remains viable longer -- the powder is only good for a short time when exposed to humidity. Maybe we have someone here who knows, but it's always best to be cautious with insecticides. Rinsing your housing inside in a 10 percent bleach water solution may be safest, when you awaken from your nap after reading my post - ha.
John M
For gourds I store in the shed, I hose out and let dry...same. If I bring into the house workshop to repair, I might squirt a quick hit of liquid sevin, just in case some mites were in there, but most of the time I don't do this either and so far have not had problem.
If you want to use some liquid pre-mixed sevin before winter storage, I'd suggest straight as mixed from the store, but should not require much. One quick hit. Now, I'm basing this on an assumption that the liquid with the ratio you describe is comparable to 5% powder sold for gardens. With the latter, only one-half teaspoon or less tapped in tiny amounts in the corners of nests will kill mites within 24 hours. But I don't know if the liquid is more or less potent or if it remains viable longer -- the powder is only good for a short time when exposed to humidity. Maybe we have someone here who knows, but it's always best to be cautious with insecticides. Rinsing your housing inside in a 10 percent bleach water solution may be safest, when you awaken from your nap after reading my post - ha.
John M
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Dave Duit
- Posts: 2145
- Joined: Tue Nov 25, 2003 2:02 pm
- Location: Iowa / Nevada
- Martin Colony History: In 2024, 82 pair with 350 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.
John,
This is great advice and I agree 100%. I soak 7 gourds at a time in my 75 gallon rubber trash can in 10% bleach/water mix over night then scrub em out the next day and set out to dry. That night I do a quick sevin liquid spray inside and then hang them by a small rod high in my wood working shop. I continue 7 gourds each day until I have all cleaned.
This is great advice and I agree 100%. I soak 7 gourds at a time in my 75 gallon rubber trash can in 10% bleach/water mix over night then scrub em out the next day and set out to dry. That night I do a quick sevin liquid spray inside and then hang them by a small rod high in my wood working shop. I continue 7 gourds each day until I have all cleaned.