Importance of gourd and house venting for heat and moisture build up
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Dave Duit
- Posts: 2146
- Joined: Tue Nov 25, 2003 2:02 pm
- Location: Iowa / Nevada
- Martin Colony History: In 2026, 88 pair with 333 fledged youngsters. 110 total cavities available, 82 Troyer Horizontal gourds and a homemade PVC / metal 28 compartment unit, 1 fallout shelter. Hawk and owl guards included. Martin educator and speaker. President and founder of the Iowa Purple Martin Organization. Please visit Iowa Purple Martin Organization on Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1627283871068161 Emails send to [email protected]. Subject line include Iowa Purple Martin.
Venting is very important to improve the environment of your plastic gourds and metal houses. Not only do pvc screw in elbows and 2 inch aluminum soffit vent reduces moisture build up on the interior of gourds and houses; the vents aid in air circulation to displace hot stagnant air inside the cavities. Please strongly consider upgrading all of your gourds and housing units with venting options. Some of our experienced landlord members have been vocal about the need to vent cavities. I urge everyone to add vents at the end of the season if you have not already done so. Here are picture examples of two types of venting items you can use and purchase at your local hardware or farm store. The first is a one inch screw in pvc elbow vent found in the plumbing section of the store. The second pics is a 2 inch aluminum soffit vent. Both can be installed using hole saws and some Lexel clear adhesive. Placement of venting can vary; but typically at least 2/3rds the way up the back of the gourd and near the top on the sides of metal houses. Google in how to add purple martin house venting and you will find some good info.
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Thomas Maddox
- Posts: 580
- Joined: Fri Jun 25, 2021 5:23 pm
- Location: Sulphur, Louisiana
Thanks for sharing. I have the PVC elbows on all of my gourds. I have a Trendsetter house, but not sure if i should add more ventilation.?
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Bird Brain
- Posts: 338
- Joined: Wed Feb 10, 2016 9:22 am
- Location: Highland Village, TX
- Martin Colony History: 2022-visitors, 2023-visitors, 2024-1 pair, fledged 4, 2025-10 pair, fledged 42, 2026-17 pair, fledged 81
Does anyone have those 2 inch soffit vents on their gourds? I got elbow vents, but not the soffits. Anyone have experience with the 2 inch soffits they would like to share? Is it worth it to add the 2 inch soffits? Do you prefer the 2 inch or 2.5 inch vents? I've noticed PMCA doesn't sell them.
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C.C.Martins
- Posts: 3368
- Joined: Fri Apr 14, 2017 11:15 am
- Location: Corpus Christi Tx
- Martin Colony History: 2016- Visitors.
2017- 5 pair. 15 fledged
2018- 18 pair. 85 fledged
2019- 17 pair. 81 fledged
2020- 25 pair. 111 fledged
2021- 28 pair. 118 fledged
2022- 33 pair. 151 fledged
2023- 33 pair. 165 fledged
2024- 40 pair. 185 fledged
2025- 40 pair. 181 fledged
HOSP:
Home colony: mix natural, super, Troyer and excluder gourds, enlarged compartment house. All SREH.
Satellite colony: Oso Bay Preserve: 49 PMCA excluder gourds; 16 room Lonestar Goliad with Modified Excluder entrances.
2019: Visitors
2020: 3 pair, 11 fledged
2021: 10 pair, 30 fledged
2022: 11 pair, 35 fledged
2023: 18 pair, 101 fledged
2024: 39 pair, 181 fledged
2025: 51 pair, 216 fledged
PMCA member
Well said and well done, its important!!
I tried the soffit vents years ago on the house. Didnt like them, despite being oriented down, and glued in, water got in. Plugged them all from the inside and got rid of them end of season.
Best bet is the PVC you have an example of.
I tried the soffit vents years ago on the house. Didnt like them, despite being oriented down, and glued in, water got in. Plugged them all from the inside and got rid of them end of season.
Best bet is the PVC you have an example of.
A good house sparrow is a dead house sparrow.
HOSP: 17. Starlings: 23
HOSP: 17. Starlings: 23
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Bird Brain
- Posts: 338
- Joined: Wed Feb 10, 2016 9:22 am
- Location: Highland Village, TX
- Martin Colony History: 2022-visitors, 2023-visitors, 2024-1 pair, fledged 4, 2025-10 pair, fledged 42, 2026-17 pair, fledged 81
I think I'll avoid the soffit vents. Only a layer of glue holding them in. At least the elbows screw in and seem stable after years of use. I don't want a 2" piece of aluminum secured only by some glue. Seems a little fragile to me. I'll just stick with the elbows. Not having heat related problems as long as I use the elbows.