Excluder II Replacement Plates
I'm sorry if this has been covered but I have a question. I have used since 2003 the Troyer Conley II gourds (supposedly startling resistant entrances). About 2 years ago the starlings started getting into the gourds and even trapping them, I couldn't keep up. The startlings got in no problem (I guess they adapted). Anyway, this year, I called PMCA and discussed it and ordered the plastic excluder II replacement plates. My husband drilled out the old entry (I had retrofitted them years ago with the new entrance and porch) and he placed the new excluder replacement plate as the entry. I have had martins come and look but they don't seem to know how to get in. Maybe they can get in but just don't like the new entrances but I can't take another season of startlings so have left them up. Between the hawks and the starlings, my colony really was reduced. Anyway, do the martins have trouble getting in with the new entrance or do you think they are just visiting and not trying to go in. Thank you very much for any help.
Elizabeth Witte
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John Miller
- Posts: 4863
- Joined: Mon Mar 22, 2004 9:11 pm
- Location: St. Louis, MO
If the old entrance behind is not obstructing, martins can enter these fine. I use a few excluder II plates on tunnels on natural gourds, on houses and use the excluder II entrances of many Excluder gourds. Martins readily enter. It's not unusual if martins are just checking out the accommodations to peer in and not enter.
If you set these plates to nearly flush, then they are a little more restrictive, and again, make sure any of the old plate behind is not obstructing entry. Also, when adding the newer Troyer tunnels to the older horizontal gourds (assuming that's what you have) you need to completely open up the front of the old gourd or you create a foyer that may increase risk of wing entrapment if two martins are fighting in there. It also might be that martins are peering in and seeing the foyer and might cause them to hesitate, but they still should be able to enter when ready.
I think adding the PMCA wing entrapment guards to the front of the Troyer entrances is a better option if one wants to add starling restriction (it's not always necessary)...there are many threads here on it...because one does not have to cut out any of the old entrance.
If you set these plates to nearly flush, then they are a little more restrictive, and again, make sure any of the old plate behind is not obstructing entry. Also, when adding the newer Troyer tunnels to the older horizontal gourds (assuming that's what you have) you need to completely open up the front of the old gourd or you create a foyer that may increase risk of wing entrapment if two martins are fighting in there. It also might be that martins are peering in and seeing the foyer and might cause them to hesitate, but they still should be able to enter when ready.
I think adding the PMCA wing entrapment guards to the front of the Troyer entrances is a better option if one wants to add starling restriction (it's not always necessary)...there are many threads here on it...because one does not have to cut out any of the old entrance.
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JimmyP
- Posts: 27
- Joined: Sat Apr 22, 2017 7:04 am
- Location: Altamont Kansas
- Martin Colony History: 2010-2016 12 cavities
2017 Added T-14 7 pair
2018 Added 12 Gourd rack
This will be my first year using the Conley ll Gourds, will keep a close eye on this problem! Question ? was wondering if there is any advantage to using the Extruder entrances vs using say the old style half moon type , I have used these for years and never had a starling enter them.