Ventilation in Natural Gourds
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marilena~MD
- Posts: 25
- Joined: Wed Feb 18, 2004 7:07 pm
- Location: Maryland/Denton
Last year we had a bad problem with martins fledging prematurely. It was very upsetting to see this. I am wondering if it was too hot in these natural gourds? If so, would it be advisable to drill some extra vent holes in the gourds and where should I drill them? If anyone has an opinion on this, I would appreciate it. Also, what can I use inside the gourd to protect against insects and mites? I read somewhere that sulfur is good but I want to see what others think about it.
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John Miller
- Posts: 4866
- Joined: Mon Mar 22, 2004 9:11 pm
- Location: St. Louis, MO
http://purplemartin.org/update/Ventilation.html
Marilina
Above article from the archives shows how to put a PVC vent in a plastic gourd -- same for a natural only drill carefully so you don't break the gourd. I like to use a larger 3/4 " PVC elbow. I plug it early in the season with a scrap of something.
The PMCA recommends a complete nest change out when the babies are about 10 days old to control mites. Sulfur is what grandma used on her chickens. It's caustic and may harm baby birds.
Keeping moisture content down may help reduce mites. I make a good prenest of dried white pine needs. These don't retain water. It's also good to have generous drain holes, not only to drain but to increase air circualtion.
Many landlords add a small amount of 5% garden sevin dust pesticide to nests. Some landlords are passionately against it. If you use it, you could tap a tiny amount -- not more than one-fourth teaspoon total -- into the corners of the nest after the eggs are laid or soon after hatching. Don't get it directly in the nest bowl. It only takes a small amount and if you use it be careful with it, with a goal of avoiding direct contact with the nestlings. Unless you get a lot of rain and the nest gets wet, one application should be sufficient -- but the very good alternative is a nest change out. Here is a link to an archive article on nest changes:
http://purplemartin.org/update/92nestrep.html
John Miller
Marilina
Above article from the archives shows how to put a PVC vent in a plastic gourd -- same for a natural only drill carefully so you don't break the gourd. I like to use a larger 3/4 " PVC elbow. I plug it early in the season with a scrap of something.
The PMCA recommends a complete nest change out when the babies are about 10 days old to control mites. Sulfur is what grandma used on her chickens. It's caustic and may harm baby birds.
Keeping moisture content down may help reduce mites. I make a good prenest of dried white pine needs. These don't retain water. It's also good to have generous drain holes, not only to drain but to increase air circualtion.
Many landlords add a small amount of 5% garden sevin dust pesticide to nests. Some landlords are passionately against it. If you use it, you could tap a tiny amount -- not more than one-fourth teaspoon total -- into the corners of the nest after the eggs are laid or soon after hatching. Don't get it directly in the nest bowl. It only takes a small amount and if you use it be careful with it, with a goal of avoiding direct contact with the nestlings. Unless you get a lot of rain and the nest gets wet, one application should be sufficient -- but the very good alternative is a nest change out. Here is a link to an archive article on nest changes:
http://purplemartin.org/update/92nestrep.html
John Miller