Lewis Modification: WEP

[David Jenkins]

I have just now seen discussions of using a Lewis Modification to Conley II entrances to reduce/eliminate EUST entry into PM nesting. (I know - where have I been all the years?) I have a few questions:

1. I have seen elsewhere of WEP modification kits are available, but they are not suitable for Troyer horizontal gourds - why not?

2. I have also seen pictures of modified entrances installed, but that the entrance porch floor has also been raised (looks about 1/8 -1/4"). Is that recommended for Troyer horizontal gourds? Regardless of whether WEPs are installed or not?

I am not the handiest guy in the world - if there's a source for WEP kits for Troyer Horizontal gourds available for purchase would love to hear the details.

Thanks for your help!

[C.C.Martins]

Good morning Dave,
I use the WEPs religiously but have not raised my porches, thus far no starling breaches. I use them on Troyer horizontal gourds, tunneled super gourds and natural gourds...think that the horizantal gourd entrances are the same with vertical as well?
I installed three of the starling stopper (picture enclosed) gifted to me on the vertical gourds for this season. Beauty of these is the uppermost screw can be removed and the tunnel trap installed if necessary.
Lots and lots of discussion here about WEPs.
Best,
Tom

[Lewis]

You can buy the "Starling Stoppers" from PMCA. They are listed in current catalog. You can use them on Troyer gourds. You can remove them in order to use the Troyer-Haskell Tunnel Trap if you have a problem with Sparrows.

Lewis

[David Jenkins]

Functionally, then, what's the difference between the PMCA WEPs and the Starling Stoppers? I see that the Stoppers have pre-drilled screw holes and cost more, and WEPs do not.

This is a well-established colony (11 years), and it suffered its first EUST encroachment just last year - want to dissuade them early this year!

[EarlG]

I haven't bought any items but so far have eliminated Starlings for several years now just by gluing sign board on the porches. That raises the floor for all troyer gourds. And you can still use the traps when necessary for sparrows.

[C.C.Martins]

Functionally, if installed properly they will both help to stop starlings. If you want assured starling free entrances while using the PMCA WEP or the starling stopper, the gentleman who pioneered the use of WEPs and raised porches first is Mr Lewis. He replied to this thread. If he chooses to reply again, well and good, if not look for him in advanced search and find his postings on the subject.
My WEPs are flush with porches on my crescent, tunneled natural and super gourds. I installed them on troyer tunnels but raised them up 1/8th of an inch off the porch. Iv installed them on excluder gourds to cover the crescents.
Cost is minimal in my opinion, it is outweighed by safe martins.
You could always shoot and trap.
Tom