New Beginner

[Glynn B - LA]

Hello everyone. My name is Glynn Blankinship. I live in West Monroe Louisiana. I'm new to the forum and trying to become a martin land lord.
I recently purchased two deluxe gourd racks along w/twenty four troyer tunnel SREH gourds and a S&S controller trap. One of the racks and gourds has been preped and raised. The other one will be preped and raised tommorow. I've already witnessd starlings checking things out. I have a question about the controller. It is made of red cedar. What prep and paint should I use before the install Once raised, I want it to last. Any help would be greatly appreciated.


Thanks Glynn

[Carlton]

Welcome to The Forum.

Your setup sounds magnificent!!! Sounds like a BIG PLUS for purple martins in your area.

I can not answer your question about the color for the starling trap. I think that most are painted or stained a white color but I am not sure. I will defer to more of an expert on that one.

I am so glad you joined The Forum!

Carl

[MingjoMartins]

Glynn -

Welcome to the Forum - great people and a great way to grow your knowledge in this hobby.

I painted mine white to mimick a true martin house, and then placed it where martins would not nest but starlings loved. In my case it is directly next to a barn and facing away from our home. The sneaky little starlings think they are getting away with stealing a cavity from the martins and end up trapped in the repeating trap.

Best of luck - post some pictures and share your site with the forum members - we love seeing everyone elses set up!

JohnM

[dsonyay]

Hello from Slidell.... sounds like you have a lot of good equipment and housing. I'm sure white will be fine. Neither Starlings nor HS seem to care about color.

[Paul Stein]

Hi Glynn, you are in a great place to learn about martins. Plenty of info available here. Your location as far as being in Louisiana is great also. I am from Winnsboro originally but live in Ga. now. Still have a brother in Baskin. As far as your own location goes, lots of factors are involved but in my opinion having an open area around your site is very important. But as I said read all about it here and good luck this year with your attracting martins. Paul

[Glynn B - LA]

Thank you all for the welcome. I'm really trying hard to do things right. I have drilled/vented the gourds, put pine straw for the nest along with a little 5% seven dust shaken in. I haven't seen or herd any martins in my area yet. Down the road, about a mile from me, there is a colony that is thirty or more years. They/martins are not present. I'm sure they will arrive soon. The mocking birds are the best alarmist.. You can count on them knowing the arrival of martins. I just hope for one pair. I'm in such an area that shooting S&S' with anything is out. I live on five acres with most being trees and the more open area is surrounded by development. As soon as I get everthing in order I will post photo's.


Thanks Glynn

[JamesinIA]

Welcome to the forum Glynn. When I made my S&S Controller five years ago, I primed it with a good quality oil based primer then gave it two coats of a quality latex white paint. It has held up great and has not needed any touch up so far. You are going to love the way the controller works on those nasty starlings. I think that in the five years that mine has been in use, over 150 starlings have met their demise. You have started your quest for martins with great quality gourds and gourd racks and I am sure you will be successful in attracting martins to your site.

James

[Dave Reynolds]

Glynn --

Welcome to the Forum.. Hope you have many Martins this year. If you have any questions, write them out here on the Forum. Lot of good people here that can answer most of all the questions you have.

Good Lock,,

Dave -- in LittleHocking, Ohio

[M.Stephens]

I built my S&S Controller from the plans and it states to paint the trap with white exterior oil base paint.
After it dries,paint three fake holes(2" circles) on the front, and three on each side.
Do not put any on the back side.
To do this cut a hole in a piece of cardboard, like a cereal box , to use as a stencil.
Use black spray paint for the fake holes.
I've had my S&S Controller for 6 or 7 years and hasn't needed repainting yet.

[Tim Stover]

welcome Glynn
you will learn everything you need to know on this forum lots of
knowledge here good luck

[Stretch]

a warm welcome to you. best hobby and community in the world, hands down. Sounds like you are doing everything right. You will care more than the martins do. S&S control is a must. I posted a photo of my recently built Melcher NBT. In 1 week, already, 5 starlings. Works 24/7. little side ports let out 'good' birds. Here's a pic. good primer, with exterior paint...good to go. Also remember, new colonies won't see birds when reported in your area...those are ASY birds. Most colonies start with SY birds which come a few weeks later. However, mine was started with a ASY pair 2 years ago...so who knows? you're ready, that's what counts.

[Don~VA]

Hi Glynn and Welcome to the Forum! It sounds like you already have a perfect setup with those gourd racks so jump in and have fun. Best of Luck for the season.

[~Ray~Gingerich]

Hi Glynn,
Welcome to the forum, you should have no trouble attracting PMs where you live.
I primed my controller with Kiltz and painted with exterior latex, keep checking mechanisum for free movement, spiders can get up in there and fowl things up.

[Dave Duit]

Just wanted to say hello to you and welcome to the best martin forum on the web. It looks like you have some good comments and help already. Best wishes in your new hobby of martins.

[diane davis-ms]

I would also like to say Hello, And welcome to the forum .
And wish you the Best of luck this year!
~Diane~

[D'Nese]

Ditto on the welcome! Sounds like you knew what you were doing when you purchased your equipment! All you need now is a martin and I bet you'll get them with no problems.