Colony Being Destroyed

[rrmartins]

I just spread cayenne pepper all around bottom of pole and mixed cayenne and Vaseline and put on pole and cable above and bellow guard. Try anything at this point.

[GFB]

They are smart and agile with long skinny bodies, I was thinking the netting might not be such a good idea, they can use it for footing and if the bucket is split and has a seem they might get past it.

[rrmartins]

I have to try this tonight, tomorrow I’ll get 6ft stove pipe from box store.

[rrmartins]

I have to try this tonight, tomorrow I’ll get 6ft stove pipe from box store.

I taped the seam up. You don’t think the Vaseline and cayenne pepper will help deter whatever it is?

[GFB]

That I'm not sure of but it will most likely keep coming back. If it were me I would raise your winch a few feet and find some stainless stove pipe. and they are so smart you probably won't even be ale to catch it in a have a heart trap. A small muskrat trap covered with crinkled wax paper to cover up the scent and covered with grass with a bird on top. But I have to say Don't do it where you live because of cats or someones pet could get in it. I also don't know what the trapping laws are in your state.

[Fireflyfisherman]

I had a similar incident with some bluebird babies. I ended up losing them all before I could put a stop to it. Mine turned out to be a rat and it would eat the birds each night and leave a similar carcass. Rats are very cunning. When I had my incident other suggested squirrels but I found my critter coming back each night. I use the stovepipe baffle for all my gourd racks and bird houses. It works well. Good luck. Also, be glad you found the problem before it wiped out your colony. This landlording stuff can be trying at times. We do the best we can.

[Spiderman]

It's not a raccoon, I've dealt with them. They eat head & body, leave the wings on the ground behind.

Raccoon with eat at least 6 Martins in one night, then not return for 3 or 4 days.

Then will do it again until captured.

[rrmartins]

Nothing dead on the ground this morning, it’s too early to lower the house, still dark out.

[rrmartins]

Is a 6”x 5ft stove pipe big enough?

[rrmartins]

No dead birds inside house either.

[MNguy]

RR - never received a PM. You can e-mail me @ [email protected] if you would like.

[KathyF]

I agree with Courtney, you need a cylinder guard on your pole - it needs to be 2' long and put it below the netting. A climbing weasel / predator can use the netting to 'boost' themselves over your guard.

My neighbor had a weasel kill 32 of his chickens - they are relentless.

[rrmartins]

Buying one today.

[KathyF]

Is a 6”x 5ft stove pipe big enough?

Yes, but put your netting above it.

[KathyF]

Good video on the details of putting together stove pipe:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gaS7r9ZIrU8

[KathyF]

Another one:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=siflk69fLqo

[deancamp]

In addition to being 2' long it should be 2' off the ground.

[rrmartins]

10/4

[rrmartins]

I was also advised to raise my winch. With the T14 being so tall, it has to come all the way down to do nest checks. I got a 6”x4’ vent pipe I’ll be adding this evening after nest checks.

[deancamp]

As much as I would like to know what has been causing the destruction, I hope this solves your problem and it goes away.