Revisiting How to Keep Swallows From Building Nests...
monicakm_gw
13 years ago
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monicakm_gw
8 years agoAng M
8 years agoRelated Discussions
Need link to help Tree swallows nest in EHS invaded environm.
Comments (8)If you do the math on the ability of this species to reproduce (2-3 nestings with 4-7 chicks per nesting) and the average life span (roughly 12 years), you realize how eliminating one breeding pair has the potential to have a tremendous benefit on species diversity, even within a small area. Kate: Sounds like you have had a lot of success. The Huber trap is a great idea. There are also others that are nice. Here is the web site for one: http://www.vanerttraps.com/universal.htm You may be aware of this, but I just think this caution bears saying for those who are reading: The one problem with putting in-box traps in a bank of martin houses is that you are likely to trap native birds as well. You have to monitor these kinds of traps hourly (which might be hard given the height of them) to make sure that the trapped bird is the intended target species. If it is not, you actually risk the life of the native bird(s), which, of course, is illegal as well as inhumane. So monitoring is absolutely essential. I would agree with everything else that you have mentioned. Certainly the males are the ones that control the area and have the most potential to harm native birds through passive and active competition. Most people who do this would agree that one of the best ways to catch them is with in-box traps during the heat of the nesting season. They are very saavy about ground traps. You can sometimes bait the ground traps with nesting materials that are glued to a heavy piece of wood (ripped plastic tarp material, trash, tissues, yarn, etc.). The best season to catch the adult males (and females) is the early spring. During the summer, it is best to use a ground trap baited with white bread. You can catch young birds and females by the dozen this way. I have included a link for a very good repeating ground trap. Good luck to you Rose. I think that everything here is really true and if more people would consider doing a small piece of this big problem species diversity could be noticably improved. Of course, this is all contingent on the laws in Canada. Here is a link that might be useful: Repeating Ground Trap...See MoreBarn Swallows and nest platforms
Comments (2)One time I had my shed open and a pair went in and out investigating it, me standing only a couple of feet away. It was too bad that I had to lock up the shed because it's away from home. It seems a building is always preferred with a window or door only 12" open or so. Sometimes they build the nest on the side of wooden beam, perhaps with a nail head sticking out?? We also used to nail a small wooden board under the beam and Swallows built nest on top. Konrad...See MoreHow to Stop Birds From Building Mud Nests on My Front Porch
Comments (110)Robins are birds that I enjoy viewing, but not as they try to build nests under our porch lights which are on both sides of an area right by our front entrance door. For three days my husband has removed the straw, twigs, etc in order to prevent a completed robin's nest. They put the straw, twigs, etc. up, he takes them down immediately. Today after reading these posts, I sprayed the area with ant and roach spray that I use when the ants try to visit too close to our outside walkway. Two robins just came with straw in their mouths, but they flew away. I hope this is a long-term solution. This is the first time that we have had this problem in the nineteen years that we have lived here. I am already tired of the mess on our porch and the potential health hazard presented if the robins succeed in building a permanent nest. We have plenty of trees that the birds usually choose for their nests and are still quite welcome to do so. However, why our porch this year is a puzzle. Thanks to all who have posted for their solutions. To the haters, because one does not want a bird's nest in an area that he/she frequently uses in his/her home, does not label the person as an animal hater. Why should my quality of life be compromised daily upon trying to enter my home for the sake of a bird's nest? The answer is that it shouldn't and will not. We will win this fight and reclaim our safety and keep our good health....See MoreHow do i keep birds from nesting in my hoya baskets!
Comments (3)those are good ideas. I don't have any solutions but recently had a bird in my rhiphallis so I know what kind of damage they can do. I ended up starting over from scratch and starting a bunch of new plants. But with a hoya...especially a young one you just can't do that. I have had rats chew leaves off my hoya. Two next to each other one they didn't bother the other must have been tastier. This happened in my shade house which seems to be a rat super highway. I don't put hoyas in there anymore. (I used to put out poison for the rats until we got a puppy and she got into the poison...my bad!!. Pup is ok after emergency vet care but she still goes in there look for some tasty poison)...See Moremonicakm_gw
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