Cleaning gourds

[nbaum]

I have 16 gourds some have been used the last couple seasons. I had been using the long southern yellow pine needles in them but have since removed them. I am planning on putting in white pine needles because they are softer. Should I also clean them with bleach while they ae down? I also thought of adding vents and making better traction strips inside them. Some people recommend painting the insides black Any comments or advise would be helpful. I do have an active colony fledging over 100 the last few years. I don't want to do the wrong thing.

[Louise Chambers]

What kind of gourds, natural or plastic? No need for traction strips in natural gourds. Many southern landlords add elbow vents -
if your location gets hot & humid, it wouldn't hurt. Painting interior black can lead to problems if paint peels off and does not really do anything to increase nesting success (in black painted interiors vs unpainted interiors). If gourds are very dirty, some soapy water with a dash of bleach (1 part bleach to 9 parts water) is a good idea, then rinse and allow to dry well before adding pine straw.

[nbaum]

All plastic gourds no natural. I have a large tub. I think I will add some bleach to water in the tub and clean them. The colony is in Wisconsin so its not as hot as down south but it can heat up. In the Martin store they have covers with vents and plugs. Are those a good idea?

[Spiderman]

How hot does it get in Wisconsin when the Martins are there?

Here in Texas we deal with 100 degree days for weeks at a time while the Martins are here.

I used Mean Green, a 5 gallon bucket and a toilet brush to clean mine, then rinsed in fresh water. It was more involved & took more time than I thought it would.