S&K house question

[EGunterTX]

This has been a great thread!
Thanks to all for the outstanding inputs.
I just drilled for & installed two 3/8"x 2-1/2" lock pins (Home Depot) to replace the old thumb busting buttons.
Just put in 3 tomato plant stakes for perches (WalMart).
Drilled more vent holes.
I had already enlarged 3 of the nest cavities-- The one I had enlarged last year was quickly claimed.

Thanks again. This forum is super!

[jr 2]

i just drilled 1/4 inch hole above the the snaps and using 1/4 inch short u bolt that u can easily pull out;;i didn't drill my holes through too the other side;;though if i did it might weaken the pole;;thanks for the info on the pins that you can use;;see they are 1/4 inch too;;jr2

[AidanRois]

Yeah Ms. Louise, that's the idea! I tried the square like that one and a rounded one, and found the rounded off one I had fit around the Tri-tel easier for my one-handed operation. They've been through two rough storms with gusting up to 40 and haven't even moved.
This is the exact one I'm using.... http://www.tractorsupply.com/en/store/c ... s070940tsc

JR, if you're using the Tri or Quad-Tel, I've not seen any decrease in strength at all. The season is new though, so we'll see. But if it didn't get hurt in those storms with gusting up to 40, hopefully they'll keep doing fine. I was just afraid that with the winds we have here, that a lot of rocking would wiggle a single bolt out of the pole.

Bstone.... much more secure. Like i said up there, the thing doesn't move, but is easy to operate for lowering the house. So much better than those buttons.

Tom Christian... I'm at home often so I watch all the time, but I'd love to know how to do that. Would you just add a small piece above the crescent on the inside of the door?

EGunterTX... that's the way to go! They'll love it.

[jr 2]

tiffeny;;did you find the lockpin at your local tractor supply?? we have one here 10 minutes away;;i was going down there wed. as they have a sale starting ;;hope you get plenty of martins;;;jr2

[AidanRois]

JR... sure did! They were in the section for trailer parts and repair. The one pictured was in one of the parts bins, but they also have different packs of 2 hanging up. You'll have to check the measurements on them though as they varied.

I hope plenty come back. They scouted in on March 14 last year, so hopefully any day now. I wish you many Martins too!

[AidanRois]

Got a picture of the lock pin for y'all this afternoon...

[GeneP]

You can also use spray foam insulation in the roof. Use the window and door type so that it doesn't expand too much. A couple of inches will keep the temp down.

I'm all gourds now but used to have two of these houses above the gourds when I started. The martins seem to prefer the gourds at my place.

[Guest]

i have the houses but have found thru trail and error at least for me they like the gourds... so i stick with gourds only and plug the house. i see many have martins in the houses- but i think gourds especially with tunnels are safest for the martins///