I have a summer house that I want to attract Purple Martins to. I bought an inexpensive house, probably made by S&K, and made several required modifications that probably cost around $7. First, the Starling-resistant crescent entrances are 3/4" above the floor; Starlings can easily get in as I witnessed on an old house without these modifications. I cut a 1x3" board to fit the floor length. It placed the crescents at less than 1/4" from the board; and so far no Starling intrusions. Next I set it up for 6 instead of 16 compartments. The top four are in the barn roof and are not accessible, so I blocked them with pieces of a pool noodle. I used the same technique to block the four holes on the back side.
For the front side, I used whole sections of the noodle to block the single hole on each level, making a column. This also created a great porch divider. But before doing that, I purchased two mirrors at the dollar store, removed them from their plastic base, and placed them behind the whole noodle sections. This completely blocked these entrances and added one of the best Martin attractants, mirrors, to make the Martins believe that there are others there. I've enclosed a picture. I decided that four holes on one side and two on the other (all are above and below each other, but on different levels) was the best configuration for me. I wanted the most views of Martins in the direction facing the house. I could have put three on each side also.
Modifications on inexpensive purple martin house
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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.
You are a genius!
I am going to fix the pool noodle porch dividers for a mentee's S&K house today.
I was trying to figure out an easy, practical porch divider. You have given me the answer. Everything I could think of was super complicated and cumbersome.
Mark.
I am going to fix the pool noodle porch dividers for a mentee's S&K house today.
I was trying to figure out an easy, practical porch divider. You have given me the answer. Everything I could think of was super complicated and cumbersome.
Mark.
Last edited by 4th Gen Martin Fan on Mon May 25, 2015 7:28 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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.
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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.
I made the pool noodle porch dividers for the S&K house this afternoon. Easy, easy.
I cannot believe that we both used the same color pool noodle! Lime green.
What size diameter pool noodle did you use?
I used 2 1/4 inch diameter pool noodle.
Mark.
I cannot believe that we both used the same color pool noodle! Lime green.
What size diameter pool noodle did you use?
I used 2 1/4 inch diameter pool noodle.
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.
WOW, pool noodle porch dividers. I fashioned mine out of cardboard but will try the noodles next year. Great idea. I have a 16 year old 12 compartment S and K barn converted to 6 large rooms with 6 very old gourds hanging underneath. It sits in the original spot but have added a gemini 24, super system 24 and trendsetter 12 next to it. The martins always occupy the old s an k barn and gourds first when they arrive. I will always keep it until it falls apart and replace it with the same thing for sentimental reasons.
PMCA Member