Gourds/rain/leaking

jpp77 · Tue May 07, 2019 7:25 am

Been getting a lot of rain about every third day here in Kansas with good weather in between. Flooding, etc.. Made me wonder how much water gets into gourds from where they hang? I have Bo11+ gourds. I modified their holes to make them round and covered the gourd rod they slide onto with a small piece of plastic tubing. This way, they can swing a little, but are fairly sealed. I've just always been curious how much water leaks in around where they hang during heavy rain? Thought about attempting a little bathroom/kitchen flexible caulk around the end that is slightly highest when it hangs. Maybe this is a total non issue?

PMDavid · Tue May 07, 2019 7:40 am

Good morning JP, I have a bunch of natural gourds and what I did was......I went autoparts house and got some fuel line like for your lawn mower. Drilled the hole through my gourd just a bit tight to where I had to “twist”the fuel line into the hole and out the other side . I left it sticking out on each side about a 1/4” and caulked around it well and then applied a last coat of paint. I also have some small canopies over the entry holes. I have lowered my rack after an all day bad rain several times for curiosity sack to check.....bone dry! I cut the end that I work through pointed so I can hit the hole and work it through then cut it off . This also reduces “swing” as I put a bend in my wire that I hang with. Give one a try works great.

jpp77 · Tue May 07, 2019 8:24 am

Excellent. I have tubing like that as well, but I didn't use any caulk last year. Been really rainy this year so I think I may use a little caulk. Glad someone else had some info on this. Much appreciated. They are just starting next building here in Kansas, so I should be able to get them caulked before nest is fully built.

jpp77 · Tue May 07, 2019 8:25 am

I have tunnels with porches on my gourds, so I think the entrance probably stays pretty dry. Again, thanks for the info!

John & Linda - KY · Tue May 07, 2019 3:07 pm

If you add the vent cap ($1 ea as I remember) it covers the holes in the gourd itself. I've never checked it, but I don't see how rain could enter the gourd. Water that enters the gap between the hole in the cap and the rod will drain down through the gap between the cap and the gourd onto the outside of the gourd. -- John https://store.skmfg.com/searchprods.asp (scroll down to almost the bottom_

John & Linda - KY · Tue May 07, 2019 3:10 pm

Sorry, duplicate.

jpp77 · Wed May 08, 2019 7:41 am

I have Bo11+ gourds with vent caps, tunnels and porches.

-=DKC=- · Wed May 08, 2019 10:53 am

jpp77 wrote: ↑
Wed May 08, 2019 7:41 am
I have Bo11+ gourds with vent caps, tunnels and porches.

I have the same setup. Last year I definitely had water in the gourds after a hard rain. The water was seeping in at the seam between the tunnel and the gourd itself.

This year I used Lexel caulk to seal that seam and my Bo11s are staying very dry. Made a world of difference.

I don't think I've had water entering through the top attachment holes but since yours are modified that may (or may not) make a difference.

Brad Biddle · Wed May 08, 2019 2:43 pm

No house or gourd is waterproof. As long as you didn't use wood shavings for a prebuilt nest they'll be fine. Wood holds water, it's a horrible choice for nesting material. Use pine needles or hay.

jpp77 · Thu May 09, 2019 9:58 am

I don't do any pre nesting material. Have never had an issue. So far this year I have 20 Martins and they are building nests as I type this. I never thought about the area between the gourd and the porch leaking. Hmmm I might put a little caulk there even though wetness hasn't been much of an issue in years past.

Appreciate all the advice!