gourd question
i am looking at buying four to eight plastic gourds to hang under my t-14 and a standard 12 room house... for those of you with plastic gourd housing which would you recommend? right now i am leaning towards the s&k gourd b/c of price and b/c they come with sreh and a porch. my other choice is the super gourd. i like its size better but it is a bit more expensive, plus porches do not come standard on the super gourd. last i would love natural gourds b/c everything i have read on here says martins prefer this type of housing over any other but i don't have the time to do all the prep work and also i am uncomfortable with the varying of sizes and durability form gourd to gourd. any advice from experience with these gourds is anticipated and appreciated.
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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 have all 3, natural gourds, S&K, and supergourds..The martins like all of them, so its more a personal choice. I do like the idea of tunnels, and S&K also sells tunnels for their gourds that are easy to attach. I don't think you can go wrong with either the Supergourd or the S&K
PMCA Member, 250 gourds, 6 poles, 2traps
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Guest
One other thing to take into consideration may be the weight difference. The supergourd is quite a bit heavier than the S&K gourd. That may be a concern for some.
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roblrich
The PMCA's new Excluder Gourds do come with porches, although you have to put them on and screws are included.
I have Supergourds (round and crescent), and I am in the process of doing 41 natural gourds this winter (only 11 to go). I also ordered and received two of the Excluder Gourds with the Exc. II entrance and I like them quite a bit for a plastic gourd. If I was going with a plastic gourd, I would definately order the Exc II of the Excluder series.
I have Supergourds (round and crescent), and I am in the process of doing 41 natural gourds this winter (only 11 to go). I also ordered and received two of the Excluder Gourds with the Exc. II entrance and I like them quite a bit for a plastic gourd. If I was going with a plastic gourd, I would definately order the Exc II of the Excluder series.
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Stephen Thomas
- Posts: 359
- Joined: Wed Nov 19, 2003 8:24 am
- Location: LeRoy/IL
I have one super gourd, with a round hole and one natural. Two more naturals being constructed. The super gourd with the round hole was a starling magnet for me last year. killed 6 of the darlings. I like the looks of naturals, but they do have maintainance you have to deal with. Paint and etc.... My naturals do not have round holes crescents. Had no problem with the naturals.
Good luck. Had lookers last year, so
I hope they will return this spring.
Good luck. Had lookers last year, so
I hope they will return this spring.
Steve Thomas (LeRoy,Il) trying since 2003, visitors 2006 & 2007 had 1 visitor.
2009 had 6 visitors, 3ASY & 3females(1 male serious)
2010 1ASY male & 1ASYfemale, May 9, 2010 I became a landlord
2011 They came back. Got cold .they left. Never came back. starting over.
2012 1 came by. 2013 (0)
2009 had 6 visitors, 3ASY & 3females(1 male serious)
2010 1ASY male & 1ASYfemale, May 9, 2010 I became a landlord
2011 They came back. Got cold .they left. Never came back. starting over.
2012 1 came by. 2013 (0)
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John & Linda - KY
- Posts: 599
- Joined: Wed Nov 12, 2003 10:19 pm
- Location: Kentucky/Hawesville
Steve -- Or you can do like I do and not paint or do other maintenance on your naturals. They will last three or four years this way with essentially no effort, then they have to be replaced. No problem if you grow your own. -- JohnI like the looks of naturals, but they do have maintainance you have to deal with. Paint and etc....
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Guest
I've been using the super gourd for years. The have the crescent entrance and I don't use porchs. The PM's don't seem to mind. The horizontal gourds with crescent opening do have porchs. It seems the super gourds are first choice. I don't think you really need porches on the super gourd so you can save yourself money and time. 