Cleanup time
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Emil Pampell-Tx
- Posts: 6743
- Joined: Tue Nov 11, 2003 1:26 pm
- Location: Tx, Richmond (SW of Houston)
- Martin Colony History: First started in Gretna, La in 1969 with a small homemade house, have had martins ever since at 2 different homes in Texas
I have done it all kinds of ways, and the martins seem to like it the same. One year I left them dirty with no cleaning, and the martins did great, the hatch rate was good, but the gourds got heavy. Some years I cleaned them with clorox water, and the martins did real well.
Conclusion: Do exactly what you like to do, the martins are interested in their safety, not in the cleanliness of the gourds
Conclusion: Do exactly what you like to do, the martins are interested in their safety, not in the cleanliness of the gourds
PMCA Member, 250 gourds, 6 poles, 2traps
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tonyg
- Posts: 1520
- Joined: Fri Feb 27, 2009 4:16 pm
- Location: Olpe, KS
- Martin Colony History: 22 year landlord, 14 at current residence..offering 9 racks and a homemade T-8 for 166 total cavities. 160 Pair in 2018 Racks consist of a Deluxe 12, AAA 16, Starburst 16, 2 K-18 Series, Super 24, 2 Gemini, Multi-purpose/two trio’s/4gourds and a T-8..Great hobby to be involved in..
I just spray my gourds with water and wipe with rag..no problems in 15 yrs.. 
22 year landlord..9 Rack Systems for 2018 and my home built T-8 for a total of 166 cavities..160 pair in 2018 ..SUPER COLONY!!! Love You Bev... Fan of those St. Louis Cardinals!!!!!
My 30+ natural gourds and T-14 get the nests dumped out and a quick once over with the paint scraper. A shot of Sevin and a couple of handfuls of white pine needles and they are good to go for the next season. No problems here with this method.
First pair in 2005
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Chuck4
- Posts: 861
- Joined: Mon May 16, 2011 10:05 am
- Location: North MS
- Martin Colony History: I started trying to attract Purple Martins in 2011. I got my first breeding pair in 2013.
2013-1 pair, 2014-4 pair, 2015-8 pair, 2016-12 pair 60 babies :-).
I removed the old nesting material from last season that my first nesting pair left behind in the gourd they used. I was surprised at how heavy it (the old nest) was from the moisture that had built up underneath from the youngsters waste. I rinsed out the gourd very well and then soaked it in bleach solution. I have added fresh pre-nesting material to all of my gourds (pine needles).
PMCA Member
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LarryMelcher/KY
- Posts: 675
- Joined: Thu Nov 10, 2005 12:08 pm
- Location: Kentucky/Shepherdsville
Rupert, Click on the link in my signature at any of my posts. It will take you to the PMCA's Youtube channel where there are a mix of instructional and education Purple Martin videos.
I manage 2 public sites, and one at home, for a total of 172 cavities. Board Member / Non Profit PMCA.
Find videos that I edit for the PMCA Youtube channel at http://www.youtube.com/user/PurpleMartinPMCA
Find videos that I edit for the PMCA Youtube channel at http://www.youtube.com/user/PurpleMartinPMCA
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Dave Duit
- Posts: 2145
- Joined: Tue Nov 25, 2003 2:02 pm
- Location: Iowa / Nevada
- Martin Colony History: In 2024, 82 pair with 350 fledged youngsters. 110 total cavities available, 82 Troyer Horizontal gourds and a homemade PVC / metal 28 compartment unit, 1 fallout shelter. Hawk and owl guards included. Martin educator and speaker. President and founder of the Iowa Purple Martin Organization. Please visit Iowa Purple Martin Organization on Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1627283871068161 Emails send to daveduit@yahoo.com. Subject line include Iowa Purple Martin.
I fill my big outdoor garbage can up with hot soapy clorox water and soak 6 plastic gourds at a time overnight. The caked on stuff cleans up easier the next day.