So for the past couple of months I have been googling like crazy, trying to find a store that still has one of the Trio Grandpa houses with the spaghetti rails (I think these were discontinued in 2012, so I know I am wishful thinking). Anyway within my unsuccessful searching I did come across a site that still has some of the grandma (MSS-8) houses for sale, new! In reading some posts on here it seems these were pretty popular in the past, so I was just throwing this out there in case anyway was interested or still hoping to get one while they can. $225 (or $255 with the winch) not sure if that is a good price or not.
http://www.naturalinsectcontrol.com/pro ... =000000210
Anyone looking for a Trio Grandma house (new)?
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4th Gen Martin Fan
- Posts: 1498
- Joined: Thu Jul 04, 2013 1:19 pm
- Location: TN/Collierville
- Martin Colony History: I have been exposed to purple martin sounds in utero when my mother went out to get my father away from his martin colony.
I played around the martin colony every summer and watched as my father maintained his colony. In the late 50's until the 70's he did not notice European Starlings in south Texas.
When old enough, I helped maintain his colony. My primary task was eliminating English House Sparrows with a 1956 Benjamin 317 .177 air rifle.
When I settled into my own home, I started my first colony with an original Trio Castle and Trio Grandpa. When I moved again, I did not put up any martin houses. Frustration with European Starlings in the Southeast US was overwhelming.
Found PMCA Forum and learned about modern enlarged compartments and SREHs.
Inherited my father's last martin house, a Trio Grandma, modified it to modern specifications and have had good results since then.
Casey,
I have one that I have always said that I inherited from my father.
The long story is I originally bought the house for my 85 year old mother-in-law years ago. I got it because its smaller size was easier for her to raise and lower. She got one pair that fledged babies one year. The next year she did not have any martins return and she became discouraged. She told me to take it down and I passed it onto my father in Texas. He used it successfully for many years next to his pond on his ranchito (actually 8 acres but as a Texan that was his tiny ranch). After he sold his ranchito, he gave me the Trio Grandma.
The purpose of this story is to explain the advantages and disadvantages of the Trio Grandma.
Its smaller size makes it easier to raise and lower the house on the pole. With the winch system, it is a breeze.
So if anyone wants a lighter, smaller house to both raise and lower as the entire system (i.e., to erect the house/pole system) and to raise and lower the house on the pole for nest checks, then the Grandma is ideal. It would be ideal for an elderly person to manage. My story is also testament to the house's durability. My Trio Grandma passed through 3 landlords and is still going strong after I restored and modified it 2 years ago.
The disadvantage is its smaller size does not allow a sustainable colony. After modification to modern standards, it only has 4 compartments.
At that price, I consider the Trio Grandma a good deal, especially if one got the winch version. My opinion only and others may disagree.
Mark.
I have one that I have always said that I inherited from my father.
The long story is I originally bought the house for my 85 year old mother-in-law years ago. I got it because its smaller size was easier for her to raise and lower. She got one pair that fledged babies one year. The next year she did not have any martins return and she became discouraged. She told me to take it down and I passed it onto my father in Texas. He used it successfully for many years next to his pond on his ranchito (actually 8 acres but as a Texan that was his tiny ranch). After he sold his ranchito, he gave me the Trio Grandma.
The purpose of this story is to explain the advantages and disadvantages of the Trio Grandma.
Its smaller size makes it easier to raise and lower the house on the pole. With the winch system, it is a breeze.
So if anyone wants a lighter, smaller house to both raise and lower as the entire system (i.e., to erect the house/pole system) and to raise and lower the house on the pole for nest checks, then the Grandma is ideal. It would be ideal for an elderly person to manage. My story is also testament to the house's durability. My Trio Grandma passed through 3 landlords and is still going strong after I restored and modified it 2 years ago.
The disadvantage is its smaller size does not allow a sustainable colony. After modification to modern standards, it only has 4 compartments.
At that price, I consider the Trio Grandma a good deal, especially if one got the winch version. My opinion only and others may disagree.
Mark.
Mark.
Firm believer in HOSP/EUST Control, Enlarged Compartments, SREHs, Pole Predator Guards, Owl/Hawk Guards, Mite/Parasite Control, Housing Insulation, and Vents for Compartment Cooling.
PMCA Member.
Firm believer in HOSP/EUST Control, Enlarged Compartments, SREHs, Pole Predator Guards, Owl/Hawk Guards, Mite/Parasite Control, Housing Insulation, and Vents for Compartment Cooling.
PMCA Member.
Mark,
I totally agree with your comments. I think it is a perfect house for someone elderly or someone (like me) who has a small backyard and is in a HOA controlled subdivision and thus can't put up a huge house or gourd rack. I still think in my situation I will spend a $100 more and get the 12 room grandpa house instead (then convert it to 6 large rooms), but for some I think this grandma house is still a great option for the price. I mainly posted it because it is hard to find stores that still have the grandma house in stock.
I totally agree with your comments. I think it is a perfect house for someone elderly or someone (like me) who has a small backyard and is in a HOA controlled subdivision and thus can't put up a huge house or gourd rack. I still think in my situation I will spend a $100 more and get the 12 room grandpa house instead (then convert it to 6 large rooms), but for some I think this grandma house is still a great option for the price. I mainly posted it because it is hard to find stores that still have the grandma house in stock.
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4th Gen Martin Fan
- Posts: 1498
- Joined: Thu Jul 04, 2013 1:19 pm
- Location: TN/Collierville
- Martin Colony History: I have been exposed to purple martin sounds in utero when my mother went out to get my father away from his martin colony.
I played around the martin colony every summer and watched as my father maintained his colony. In the late 50's until the 70's he did not notice European Starlings in south Texas.
When old enough, I helped maintain his colony. My primary task was eliminating English House Sparrows with a 1956 Benjamin 317 .177 air rifle.
When I settled into my own home, I started my first colony with an original Trio Castle and Trio Grandpa. When I moved again, I did not put up any martin houses. Frustration with European Starlings in the Southeast US was overwhelming.
Found PMCA Forum and learned about modern enlarged compartments and SREHs.
Inherited my father's last martin house, a Trio Grandma, modified it to modern specifications and have had good results since then.
Casey,
I understood the purpose of your post.
I thought of another use of the Trio Grandma houses which might be sitting in someone's shed or garage unused. I doubt that anyone would be a new one for this purpose but...
The Trio Grandma is so lightweight and easy to raise and lower that it would make a great trap house if equipped with Spare-O-Doors. The winch system allows the smaller house to be raised and lowered without the usual "bump" at the pole junction. This smoother operation would keep the sparrow trap doors from tripping prematurely before the house reaches the top.
The smaller house could diminish the need to lower a larger house such as the Trendsetter or T14 for sparrow control.
I am not saying it is a panacea but it could be used for a trap house in a large colony with larger houses.
In your situation, I hope you get what you want.
Mark.
I understood the purpose of your post.
I thought of another use of the Trio Grandma houses which might be sitting in someone's shed or garage unused. I doubt that anyone would be a new one for this purpose but...
The Trio Grandma is so lightweight and easy to raise and lower that it would make a great trap house if equipped with Spare-O-Doors. The winch system allows the smaller house to be raised and lowered without the usual "bump" at the pole junction. This smoother operation would keep the sparrow trap doors from tripping prematurely before the house reaches the top.
The smaller house could diminish the need to lower a larger house such as the Trendsetter or T14 for sparrow control.
I am not saying it is a panacea but it could be used for a trap house in a large colony with larger houses.
In your situation, I hope you get what you want.
Mark.
Mark.
Firm believer in HOSP/EUST Control, Enlarged Compartments, SREHs, Pole Predator Guards, Owl/Hawk Guards, Mite/Parasite Control, Housing Insulation, and Vents for Compartment Cooling.
PMCA Member.
Firm believer in HOSP/EUST Control, Enlarged Compartments, SREHs, Pole Predator Guards, Owl/Hawk Guards, Mite/Parasite Control, Housing Insulation, and Vents for Compartment Cooling.
PMCA Member.