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Keeping pests and predators away from your colony

(and what to do when they 'beat you to the draw')

Most common predators of purple martins include European starlings and English (house) sparrows (both species are unprotected by law); snakes; raccoons; great-horned owl; and mite parasites.

Trouble shooting - Starlings are rarely attracted to an all-aluminum martin house because of the bright interior. Exceptions can usually be deterred by placing small hand mirrors about the house. The shiny reflection bothers starlings, but not martins.

Preventing sparrow take-over - During the off-season, your martin house should be closed up, to keep sparrows from becoming entrenched. A year-round sparrow control program should be implemented. We offer two styles of live sparrow traps. The SD-1 Spare-O-Door actually replaces a door on any martin house manufactured by Nature House.

Parasites - Mites come from nesting material. Nature Society recommends using fresh water type Diatomaceous Earth (D.E.) by placing a tablespoonful underneath sub-floors at beginning of season, and again after nest-building has begun. Even though aluminum martin houses are not as probe to mites as other types, fresh water type D.E. should still be used because all nesting materials carry the potential of harboring mites. Never apply D.E. or any other type of parasite control where martins can get it on themselves.

What to do about predators - Predators guards should be installed on martin house poles in areas where snakes and raccoons are present. Greasing poles does not work. Once a snake has been in a house, it must be thoroughly cleaned before martins will return. The great-horned owl will usually ravage a colony and then move on. If you suspect a great-horned owl near your colony. Nature House has a owl guards that will fit many Nature House martin houses. For other owl guard ideas, please send your request for an Owl Guard Information Packet along with $1 (U.S. funds - no cash) with self-addressed business envelope with two stamps to: NSN, PO Box 390, Griggsville, IL 62340.