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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.

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.

Dealing with parasites – Birdhouses can be major breeding grounds for all kinds of mites, fleas, scavenging ants, and spiders. All parasites and arthropods feed on the very young birds, in many cases killing them. Martin House Protector is specifically designed to eliminate nest mites from songbird nests. To ward against spiders or ants that may have taken refuge in your martin house over the vacant period, prior to the return of your martins, remove winter door stops and thoroughly spray Martin House Protector into each compartment of the house, then install subfloors if used. Always follow directions on bottle for best results.

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 owl guards that will fit many Nature House martin houses.