Attach tunnel to Bo Gourds

bobnjo · Sat Feb 07, 2009 7:26 pm

Anyone know the proper way? I have some tunnel entrances from SK Mfg that I am using for my new Styrofoam houses. I have a few extras and wonder which way to orient the Bo Gourd entrances before I attach the tunnels. See attached pic. Do I plug the unwanted hole, do I cut out both holes, what about the nest dam?

Guest · Sat Feb 07, 2009 7:39 pm

I don't think that you would need a dam at the back of the tunnel, it probably would drain thru at the connection.

About the round hole and the crescent, I would cut them both out and give the martins a clean path to the nest. They probably don't want to climb over anything or go thru another entrance either.

Does that tunnel fit over the top of that gourd faceplate? If it fits over it good, that should be very easy to attach

Donnie Hurdt MN · Sat Feb 07, 2009 9:08 pm

bobnjo, I had the same question and when I called the folks over at S/K they told me to cut out the inner entrances on the gourd. By leaving a more open area between the entrance on the tunneland the gourd there is also less chance of possible wing entrapment and as bjmetej said less for them to walk over too.

Guest · Sat Feb 07, 2009 10:15 pm

That is the wrong entrance to mount a tunnel but you can use it. File down the ring around that entrance to make it smooth. The tunnel attach flush with the entrance. Some plugs the top crescent hole & let the martins enter the round hole but I agree with others & cut both holes completely out.

bobnjo · Mon Feb 09, 2009 10:16 pm

Thanks to all, I elected to cut out both holes. Also found it necessary to grind down the raised ring Ronnie pointed out.

Have a successful season!

Guest · Tue Feb 10, 2009 1:36 pm

my birds love these gourds. I tunneled all of mine (12) and added cleanouts to the top using SK tunnels and cleanouts. I attached them with "liquid nails"then latex cauld to make it white. Lots of drying time between. Use the entrance supplied with the four holes, cut out both entrance holes out, file or sand smooth but I leave a 1/4' lip all the way around and attach the tunnel with small bolts and nuts. A little caulk around the entrance for water tight seal and your good to go. Hang them so the swing from side to side because they will pitch front to back when loaded with little ones.

donnak-Tx · Wed Feb 11, 2009 8:58 am

I had this set up last year. I used the crescent openings, so I plugged the round entrance. However, you can see by the picture that it made for an awkward entrance. How do you cut the inner entrance? Seems to be pretty hard plastic....or maybe I have dull knives! Ronnie, why is this the wrong entrance to use? I need advice..anybody have pics of their "adaptations"? Thanks, donnak- Tx

Emil Pampell-Tx · Wed Feb 11, 2009 9:31 am

I have not cut one out from that adaptor, but I would think that a jig saw would be the best way to cut them out. Also, if you have a dremel tool, you could cut it out with a dremel cutting bit. I have those 2 tools and they both work good for working on plastic. I too would recommend that you cout out both of the inner entrance holes.

I do have one of those gourds, but I made a homemade tunnel, so that would not help you fix your adaptor.

Guest · Wed Feb 11, 2009 1:36 pm

I cut mine with a air powered rotary file but i have auto restoration shop and have more tools the one person needs. Use a dremel tool with coarse file or sanding drum and finish with 80 grit paper. Some of my tunnels have both entrances and i plug the round one with the plug provided. Cresents give me peace of mind.