Question about sparrows

[bbbdco]

I have a colony with 24 gourds here in South Dakota. Out of my 24 gourds, about 6 are being used by sparrows. I clean them out, and then in 2 days the sparrows build a new nest. All of my Martins are here for the year and are using the other 18 gourds. So what should I do with the 6 sparrow nests? They keep rebuilding. Should I simply close them down and block the hole? Keep cleaning them out? Or set sticky traps in all of them. I would have to reduce the size of the hole if I put in sticky traps. Don't want my Martins to enter by mistake. I continue to kill all the sparrows that I trap in my three ERT trap bird houses. If I close down the "sparrow" gourds, will they try to take over a Martin nest by force? My Martins will start laying eggs in about a week. Thanks for help with managing the sparrows.

[Martintown33]

Hi bbb.. I wouldn’t close the compartments the HOSPS are using. First off, Removing their nests aggravates the males and makes them more aggressive. Closing the compartments off will probably entice the HOSPS to try to take over compartments being used by your martins , or at the very least , enter and peck holes in their eggs. Your van ert traps are working well, but if you can’t shoot the ones making nests then I would trap them.. sticky traps should work. To prevent martins from entering the trap compartments, i make entrance face plates.. I use a 3x3 inch square piece of paneling or pvc sheeting, and drilll a 1 1/4 inch round hole in it, with a hole saw bit. I use Velcro to attach the plate to the Martin house or gourd tunnel entrance … martins can’t fit through that size hole, but HOSPS can.. once you’ve eliminated all the HOSPS you can remove the face plate and Velcro, and keep the plates for later use..
Good luck,
Rob

[bbbdco]

Thank you so much for your reply. That is pretty much what I was thinking, but I just wanted to be sure. I’ll take your suggestion and run with it.

[Thomas Maddox]

I agree with Martintown. I'm not the best shot, but the sticky rat paper with the smaller entrance works! However, it only worked for me, after the HOSPS laid eggs. I caught 6 out of 6 last year with this method.

[Thomas Maddox]

I need to recheck my hole bit. It may be 1 3/8. Anyone know of minimum size a PM can get in?

[C.C.Martins]

Thomas,
1 3/8 inch will keep them out, dont know what size a martin can fit in if it were enlarged...

[DeeCee]

A big thank you Martintown 33!! I used the method you suggested and it worked like a charm. One down and a few more to go.

[Martintown33]

Glad it worked! Good job!
Rob

[Thomas Maddox]

Once the HOSPS lays its eggs, they can't say no and usually get caught within a few hours of setting it. I've put it up with fully made nests without eggs and never once caught one. Those rats are very smart.

[pleaseeemailme]

I’m going to try the sticky traps. Should I use now while they are building or wait until eggs have been laid?
At the moment I have several hosp’s bringing in nesting to just one of my gourds. With the smaller hole, can they still get their sticks inside? Obviously I want them to go inside (and get stuck). Thoughts appreciated!

[C.C.Martins]

Its up to you. For sure you will get one when an egg is laid. Trim the black plastic from the glue trap with some sizzors, then place it in the very bottom of the nest, put the egg right on it. Remake the nest again. Watch close. Look at the martins reaction...they will all look at the gourd strangely. You will know you have her.
Just in case when taking it down, put your hand over the entrance so if she pulls free you still have her. Once she's caught, place another trap in there quick. Need to get the male.
One PS: when doing it, dont look for the sparrow. Just do what you need to do and dissappear. Chances are 100% its watching with suspicion, and is wary. If you look at it, it will be gone for a while. Its a technique I use when setting van ert traps. Just set it, disappear.

[pleaseeemailme]

Thx CC Martin…. Is it better to leave the trap inside the cavity to catch more than one sparrow rather than changing it out too quickly? It seems I have several sparrows in and out of that one gourd.

[C.C.Martins]

Its a sticky trap. No, remove it please soon as you get one. Honestly I wax sparrows because of the threat they pose and sheer numbers. I like a good shot. I like traps.
I have used sticky traps in a pinch with no other options available...but do not like them one bit, I don't even use them for bugs. Horror if you catch a martin.
Catch and remove the trap, try to get them both.
Suppose what you will grow to be is a good trapper and shooter and away from sticky traps.