House Sparrow problems

[Kellye]

Hi all,
I’m kind of in a predicament here. I’ve got HS attacking my martins. HS was nesting in the roof of my box and I put tape there to block them from getting in the roof (this is a 12 room trendsetter) Now they are throwing a fit and attacking my martins and trying to get in any cavity possible. I have traps but HS can’t seem to make up their mind or find a empty cavity in the trendsetter box so how do I get rid of them otherwise? I don't want to shoot a martin or the box. I’ve been through the box and HS hasn’t really been nest building in the box and what they have put in there also kind a looks like what the Martin’s have been putting in there they’re using close to the same materials and house sparrows aren’t finishing their nests so I’m having difficulty telling the nests apart. I don’t want to put a trap in a Martin’s nest. And I don’t want HS to my hurt PMs or BBs. my baby BBs just hatched today and I’m afraid that HS is going to attack them next. Should I take the tape off and let countiue to nesting in there in till I can get a repeating trap or figure out a way to trap them in the roof? I’ve got a bunch of HS (around 10 I think) Reviews on repeating bait traps? Price doesn’t matter too much only thing that matters is keeping my birds safe from HS.
Any other ideas much appreciated!
Thanks all,
Kelly

[Kellye]

update:
I watched for a while and HS was going in and out of this one cavity so I set the trap in there. I'm pretty sure that martin did not claim it, hope I catch the house sparrows.

[Hanover Bill]

Hi Kelly;

Usually HOSP nests are easy to differentiate from Martin nests. The HOSP will usually "fill" a compartment with grass, feathers, and any junk they can find. They usually shape their nest into a bowl shape. On the other hand the Martins usually build a very inconspicuous nest, sometimes barely covering the bottom of the compartment. Should be easy to tell apart.

I am plagued by HOSP every season. The only solution is trapping, or shooting, if permitted. patience is the word, just keep working at it. The more you do it, the easier it will become, and the more tricks of the trade you will learn. Good Luck !

Hanover Bill.

[deancamp]

I think your on the right track now that you figured out which nest is theirs. It shouldn't take long if they're wanting back in that bad. Keep a watch so if you do accidentally trap a Martin you can set it free.

[Kellye]

Thank you for your responses! I can see them sitting on the porch that has the trap inside.
The HS haven't been filling the cavity like they normally do. They put a little bit in the cavity, and they been using close to the same nesting materials as the PMs. So it's trickier to tell them apart. I hope that the HS go in the trap!

[ToyinPA]

Thank you for your responses! I can see them sitting on the porch that has the trap inside.
The HS haven't been filling the cavity like they normally do. They put a little bit in the cavity, and they been using close to the same nesting materials as the PMs. So it's trickier to tell them apart. I hope that the HS go in the trap!

HS usually packed their nest, leaving a tunnel in the center to enter. I'd open the cavity they were in & let them back in. Hopefully they'll settle down, let the martins alone, & add to their nest a day. Once you figure out which nest the HS are in you can trap them. Using a glue trap can get the tricky ones, but it has a risk. You could catch a martin, causing damage to many feathers, skin, etc. I only use a glue trap if I have a really aggressive HS that I can't catch in a trap or shoot. To make it work & NOT catch a martin.....First you must make the entrance hole way too small for a martin to get in. Trace the entrance on cardboard (white is best if you have any). Cut a new smaller entrance from the card board, so it overlaps & blocks off part of the existing entrance. Make sure it's smaller than any martin could possibly squeeze in. Tape it over the entrance well, making sure it won't come off too easy. Watch to see if the HS can get in. If so then use a mouse glue trap. Take the nesting material out, lay the glue trap in, put some of the nesting material around the sides & back, letting the front part open. Close the door & then you must sit & watch. It should only take 10-30 minutes for the HS too come back. As soon as a HS goes in you have him. Dispose of him as humane as you can. IF you caught the male remove the glue trap & toss the nest. The female will usually hang around a little while then leave. It's the males that are usually aggressive. If you caught the female do it all over again until you get the male. You should then set a repeating trap on the ground to catch the HS.

Toy in PA