How to Keep Them Warm!

[kennethsonnier]

We're forecast to have a low temperature of about 25 degrees Sunday morning and 29 degrees Monday morning. I have only one female ASY at this time, and she is occupying an upper compartment of a modified Trio. I was thinking of putting a 100 watt "bug" light (yellow color) in the compartment directly below hers those two nights. Any comments about this idea or any other means of keeping her warm for a couple of nights?
Ken

[Guest]

ksonnier, I don't know if those bug lights give out any heat at all. Maybe they do. Remember the battery operated socks? You could put one of those under the nesting material. I doubt those are even on the market anymore.

Why don't you put the light in on Saturday am so it will have time to warm the area. It's worth a try. Those are pretty low temps.



Lanell

[Dave S (Texas)]

Ken, I use a regular 60w 130v bulb as a heater in my 4-level 12 apartment house. It's installed in a lowest level apartment. Keep any nesting material out the compartment you use! I keep the heater On 24/7 when it's 45dg or less and it's on a GFCI protected circuit. I'm confident the 60w bulb gives-off enough heat. A 100w bulb may be too much....
Sure don't want to roast the residents! You might want to check the temp in the highest compartment.

[kennethsonnier]

Thanks for the replies. I think I'll try a 60 watt bulb. I was concerned about a regular bulb giving off too much light that might filter through to the upper compartments. Think I'll plug in the yellow bulb first and see how warm it gets. The idea of turning it on Saturday during the day sounds like a good suggestion.
Ken

[Louise Chambers]

Ken,

Some people install a light bulb that they've painted black, so it gives off heat but not light. Though I would not worry too much about light - you're going to block off the cavity with the light bulb so not much light will escape it.

Another way to heat cavities is to get some of those hand warmers (from sporting goods stores, camping supply areas, etc) and put one in each cavity. Since it's early, you could close all but a few and just put handwarmers in those. Some will put out heat for 8-12 hours or more.

Louise

[kennethsonnier]

I put the 60 watt yellow light in the cavity below the entrance to her cavity and tested the floor temperature of her cavity entrance. It was just warm to the touch, so I decided to leave it as installed. At 5:30 p.m. she returned and swooped right into the compartment. I watched for a few minutes to see if she was bothered by the light/heat. Everything seems to be OK, so I guess she's warm and cozy for the night.
Thanks for the replies.
Ken

[Joe Zorn]

Good Question

Light Bulb painted Black? What a wonderful idea

For Craftsmen, why not build a small box below all floors, with a sight socket attached, vented to the upper floors A hinged door for changing or repainting the bulb.

Joe

[CUL Lou~Mich]

I've tried painting the bulbs, and when I turned them on, they smoked horribly. I gave the idea up. I decided if the need came up, I'd use just plain ole light bulbs. CUL Lou

[Joe Zorn]

How about that high heat paint, intended for BBQ pits and engine blocks? I think I bought a can for my Gas Grill a couple of months ago, and procrastinated. Should still have a fresh can.

[kennethsonnier]

I've used the yellow bulb the past two nights, and there hasn't been a problem. The bulb is in a front, bottom compartment, and the martin is staying in the compartment above and to the rear of the light. She must get a warm, comfortable feeling when she first enters the front cavity as it is just above the bulb. I think this will be enough heat to keep her nest livable during the nest couple of days--forecast to be 26 degrees tonight and tomorrow night, with a high of around 50, and lots of wind.
I'm getting ready to go buy some crickets at the local bait shop, as insects should be very scarce the next couple of days!
Since she doesn't seem to mind any light that might filter through to her compartment, I'm not going to worry about painting the bulb black.

[Kyle Gregoire]

Instead of painting the bulb what about wrapping it with aluminium foil to block the light?