Lone Star Traps?

[SonjaC]

Hi All!

Each year, our sparrow problem seems to get worse. I guess the more PMs we get, the more HOSP are attracted to the site. I seem to spend an inordinate amount of time worrying and taking out these pests.

I am trying to find a trap for my Lone Star Alamo house. The problem is the crescent openings - which are great for detering EUST - but, from what I understand, make the universal trap not usable.

Has anyone else found a fix to this problem besides sitting outside with a gun?

Your help is appreciated.

[Emil Pampell-Tx]

The ST1 trap that PMCA sells has worked great for me. It has 3 compartments, I put feathers into the trap, and the sparrows like to use the feathers in building their nests, so they quickly go into the trap that I mount about 4 to 5 ft above the ground on the pole..It works best if you tear out the nests that they have built, as they try to rebuild the nests. Put the nesting material that you tear out into the trap, and they will try to reuse it.

I also make my own wooden box traps, and hang them in several places around the yard...If you make the hole about 1-1/2 in big, the martins or starlings cannot get into them..

[Matt F.]

I wonder if anyone has tried the T-14 traps (wooden or metal) in a Lone Star Alamo?
Seems like the only inhibiting factor, would be that the Lone Star crescents are flush with the porch, and the the T-14 trap entrances seem slightly elevated (less elevated on the metal trap), from what I can tell, by looking at the pictures in the PMCA online catalog.

[CUL Lou~Mich]

Sonja. You could measure the inside of the apartment, then go to PMCA Shop, and look at the dimensions for the Universal trap. If the apartment is large enough, it should work. I have two of them in my wooden North Star house, With crescents, and it works for both EUST, and EHS. One day, I even got TWO Male EHS at the same time. I'm not sure how the Lone Star door opens, but like I say, if the apartments are large enough, and the doors open far enough, the USTs should work. CUL Lou

[Louise Chambers]

I know some landlords use the UST in larger cavities with crescent entrances, like WatersEdge suites by Coates. They push the UST all the way to back wall, so House Sparrows don't see the trap entrance easily. and put a bit of grass/nest material in front of trap, but not so much that it will interfere with trap closing. The only drawback to this method is you cannot see the dropped shutter and have to lower housing at least twice a day to see if you have occupants in trap. The same trap & method also work in the Heritage Farms Quad Pod.

Louise

[Guest]

The T14 metal version will work perfectly with the Alamo crescent openings.

[SonjaC]

Thanks for your help everyone!

Off to get a new trap....watch out HOSP!! Bwhahahahahahaaaa!