Sunset inn house

Brobertson · Tue Dec 10, 2013 8:06 am

I am going to be putting this house on a mpp this spring. Should I make any modifications to it, like cork on the walls, tunnels on the end etc. This will be my 2nd year trying to host martins. Any info would be greatly appreciated.

John Miller · Tue Dec 10, 2013 8:18 am

I insulate all my aluminum housing with cork or one-fourth inch Styrofoam. I think it helps for both hot and cold. but most important in this house is to elevate nests. The houses sheet water over the floor. The wire mesh subfloors alone are not adequate as nests will wick up water through them. Overlay the wire mesh with something, or replace. (The wire mesh subs work okay in the Trendsetters which don't let much water in. )

I have not used the black nest tray kits that the PMCA sells (make my own) but think these might work well sitting atop the wire mesh. Add a few drain holes in them. the wooden trays likely would absorb water and warp in this house. John

Tim Mangan-Kansas · Tue Dec 10, 2013 2:08 pm

Following is a photo of my Sunset Inn house with modifications I made. I got some aluminum and made nest trays to get the nest off the floor. I also used aluminum to make nest dividers to divide the nest into an entrance area and nesting area. You can also see the 45 degree pvc elbows I put in the sides for ventilation. John also makes a good point about adding some type of insulation to the side walls. I did not do this but it sure could not hurt.

Tim

Brobertson · Tue Dec 10, 2013 2:48 pm

Thank you!! I will definitely try some of these mods.

Matt F. · Tue Dec 10, 2013 4:00 pm

John Miller wrote:I have not used the black nest tray kits that the PMCA sells (make my own) but think these might work well sitting atop the wire mesh. Add a few drain holes in them.

You are right on about the drain holes John.
I've been using the black PMCA trays for a couple of seasons, and when I first installed them, I found out before the season started that the adhesive they come with, forms an extremely good bond - so good, some of them were even holding water.
I drilled about ten, pencil sized holes in the bottoms of each, and they stayed nice and dry after that.