Entrance covers for modified houses

[Tganster]

I am a new member from southern New Jersey. Last year in mid June I put up a 12 room 6×6 compartment house. I know it was too late to attract any nesting pairs, but neighbor landlords recommended that I do it to attract this year's 1st time nesters. I had about 30 Martins checking out my newly erected house within 3 minutes! I just modified my house to create 6 6x12 compartments by drilling a hole in the middle divider. I need to close up 6 of the entrance holes. What do you recommend? I thought of using black duct tape on the interior to keep it dark inside, then painting the exterior tape white. Will duct tape last or will birds peck holes through it? If so, they will get direct access to the nest area.

I am very excited at the potential of being a Purple Martin landlord. Also, is it worthwhile to mount 3 gourds under the martin house now or should I wait until next year to see if my new housing attracts any nesting pairs, then add on next year?

Terri, Tuckerton,NJ

[deancamp]

Any pictures of your house? What material or make is it? Entrance shape?There are premade plugs for round metal housing entrances. Tape would might work for a short term fix, but won't stand the test of time.I think gourds under it is a good option for this year. Some Martins might prefer the gourd over the house and could be the reason they make it home.

[flyin-lowe]

Let us know which house you have. If it is metal you could get some thin pieces of aluminum flashing or something and rivet it on. If it is a plastic house you could do something similar or you could use some of the corrugated plastic like elections signs are made out of.

[Tganster]

The house is aluminum, entrance hole is crescent. I'll look for some metal covers to attach but will probably just use 2 layers of duct tape (inside and outside ) for this year. And I'll add 3 gourds underneath. Thanks

[Archer]

Please do not use duct tape or any tape, I had a disaster at my site because of it. A portion of the tape let go and got into a martins wing. Had to cut feathers to release it. He could fly, but not very well.

[Louise Chambers]

swimming pool noodles can be cut with scissors to make crescent plugs. just cut some pieces about 3-4 inches long, then cut those pieces in half, creating crescent plug sections. tape is not safe.

[lynnh]

If you are talking about closing the hole on the backside of converted nesting cavity then i would recommend something like flyin-lowe suggested.

[Tganster]

My final solution was to cut 2x4 inch pieces of leftover aluminum duct material screwed over the unwanted entrance holes. I didn't do the pool noodle plugs because we live in a high wind area on a saltwater creek and I was afraid we might lose the noodle plugs because of the wind. Picture of the house attached (hope it worked)

Thanks for the help, we're putting the house up tomorrow, looking forward to some martin visits.

[pmlover]

you can buy crescent hole covers