Which house is best?
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Guest
My dad's martin house was blown over during Hurricane Katrina and I want to buy him a new one for his 75th birthday next week. I don't know what brand to buy. I have read a lot of the information, but just want someone to tell me which house is best. Anyone have an opinion? Thanks!
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Emil Pampell-Tx
- Posts: 6743
- Joined: Tue Nov 11, 2003 1:26 pm
- Location: Tx, Richmond (SW of Houston)
- Martin Colony History: First started in Gretna, La in 1969 with a small homemade house, have had martins ever since at 2 different homes in Texas
A good choice for an aluminum house would be Lonestar or either Trio.
If you want a heavy wooden house, the T-14 is a good choice but you need a very good pole & lifting mechanism.
I would also very strongly recommend a house that has starling resistant entry holes.
Another good option is to use gourds, as they are becoming more popular every day, and that is what I prefer.
Are you going to get him a new pole? if you do, I would recommend one that you could raise & lower the house. if it is heavy, then get a pole that has a winch.
So much depends upon how much money you wish to spend. If you would tell us that, then we could help you more. A reasonable good system can be purchased for about 200 dollars.
If you want a heavy wooden house, the T-14 is a good choice but you need a very good pole & lifting mechanism.
I would also very strongly recommend a house that has starling resistant entry holes.
Another good option is to use gourds, as they are becoming more popular every day, and that is what I prefer.
Are you going to get him a new pole? if you do, I would recommend one that you could raise & lower the house. if it is heavy, then get a pole that has a winch.
So much depends upon how much money you wish to spend. If you would tell us that, then we could help you more. A reasonable good system can be purchased for about 200 dollars.
Last edited by Emil Pampell-Tx on Thu Oct 20, 2005 10:47 am, edited 2 times in total.
PMCA Member, 250 gourds, 6 poles, 2traps
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apundt-TX
- Posts: 986
- Joined: Thu Jan 22, 2004 7:34 pm
- Location: Pflugerville, Texas
- Martin Colony History: :
2022-1 pair
1 pair 2021
2020- Didn't get setup fast enough in Pflugerville
2019- Apartment
2018 Divorce lost Colony in Dripping Springs
19 pair 2017
17 pair 2015
12 pair 2014
8 pair 2013
5 pair 2012
2 pair 2011
How much do you want to spend?
I started off getting a really cheap house. By the time I was finished midifying it to make it ready for martins I could have bought a more expense one that was correct the first time.
I started off getting a really cheap house. By the time I was finished midifying it to make it ready for martins I could have bought a more expense one that was correct the first time.
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Guest
I would be willing to spend $200 if I need to. I think his pole is okay, but I don't believe it can be lowered. If I buy a new pole, which is better, the kind with a winch or the other kind, I think it is telescoping?
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Guest
I would be willing to spend $200 if I need to. I think his pole is okay, but I don't believe it can be lowered. If I buy a new pole, which is better, the kind with a winch or the other kind, I think it is telescoping?
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John Miller
- Posts: 4866
- Joined: Mon Mar 22, 2004 9:11 pm
- Location: St. Louis, MO
Buy from PMCA if you can, but you may want to check out Nature Society/Trio's website. They are taking applications to help replace hurricane damaged martin housing.
I haven't seen one with my own hands, but I really like the Trendsetter line - top of line. Looks like a martin house ought to look.
Closer to $200.00 but good quality, S&K has a new martin "bungalow" that looks promising. I'd also consider the Coates Water's Edge and pole.
And I really like Super Gourds -- and real gourds. Gosh, I like 'um all.
John Miller
I haven't seen one with my own hands, but I really like the Trendsetter line - top of line. Looks like a martin house ought to look.
Closer to $200.00 but good quality, S&K has a new martin "bungalow" that looks promising. I'd also consider the Coates Water's Edge and pole.
And I really like Super Gourds -- and real gourds. Gosh, I like 'um all.
John Miller
Last edited by John Miller on Fri Oct 21, 2005 4:23 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Guest
Thanks so much for the information. I was just looking at the Coates Water-Edge at BestNest.com. I will look at the sites you recommended and thanks for the info about Katrina. I wish my dad would go with gourds but he prefers houses. He has built some beauties; multicolored, odd shaped, etc., but I don't think he gets a lot of martins. With all the information I have learned I'm becoming interested myself. Thanks again!
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Emil Pampell-Tx
- Posts: 6743
- Joined: Tue Nov 11, 2003 1:26 pm
- Location: Tx, Richmond (SW of Houston)
- Martin Colony History: First started in Gretna, La in 1969 with a small homemade house, have had martins ever since at 2 different homes in Texas
I personally hate telescoping poles, they are weak and bend easy, and then they are more difficult to use, they pinch your fingers, etc.
Thte kind with a pulley at the top is very much easier than a telescoping pole. Then there are poles with winches, they are very easy. The best of the lot are the easy lift poles, you can raise & lower it with 1 hand, it stops when you quit pulling, it is excellent
Thte kind with a pulley at the top is very much easier than a telescoping pole. Then there are poles with winches, they are very easy. The best of the lot are the easy lift poles, you can raise & lower it with 1 hand, it stops when you quit pulling, it is excellent
PMCA Member, 250 gourds, 6 poles, 2traps
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Laverne
- Posts: 2216
- Joined: Thu Jan 08, 2004 1:58 pm
- Location: TX/Alvin
- Martin Colony History: Erected 1st house in 1997. Birds were checking it out before Mike got down from the ladder. Six cavities had a little colony 1st year. Grown to 88 cavities all gourds with near 100% occupancy. Most important factor for success is rain = bugs.
I just wanted to clarify to you that the pole does not need to lower. The housing can raise and lower up and down the pole with a winch and pulley that you can purchase at any good hardware store. If your dad's pole is good - then you can use it. Then you can spend more money toward a nicer house.kamcneil wrote:I would be willing to spend $200 if I need to. I think his pole is okay, but I don't believe it can be lowered. If I buy a new pole, which is better, the kind with a winch or the other kind, I think it is telescoping?
For your Dad's enjoyment, consider a house that makes nest checks easy. Your entire family will get a lot of pleasure from watching the Purple Martins nesting, egg-laying, and raising their young.
Best of luck to you - and I hope your Dad's 75th Birthday is wonderful.
Sincerely,
Laverne
Laverne
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Emil Pampell-Tx
- Posts: 6743
- Joined: Tue Nov 11, 2003 1:26 pm
- Location: Tx, Richmond (SW of Houston)
- Martin Colony History: First started in Gretna, La in 1969 with a small homemade house, have had martins ever since at 2 different homes in Texas
Easylift poles have a weight insde the metal pole that equals the weight of the house. Therefore, it takes very little effort to move it up or down. I don't know if PMCA sells them or not, but they are available commercially. Please do a google search "easylift martin pole"
Last edited by Emil Pampell-Tx on Thu Oct 20, 2005 7:14 pm, edited 1 time in total.
PMCA Member, 250 gourds, 6 poles, 2traps
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starling shooter
- Posts: 461
- Joined: Wed Nov 19, 2003 7:43 pm
- Location: Central MO
Kam: I would recommend a gourd rack.
You wouldn't have to fill it all the way up with gourds the first year.
PMs have higher occupancy rates in gourds and generally suffer less starling and sparrow problems.
You wouldn't have to fill it all the way up with gourds the first year.
PMs have higher occupancy rates in gourds and generally suffer less starling and sparrow problems.