Keeping sparrows out!

[asop]

Do you think maybe placing a tennis ball in the nesting box area would deter these damn birds? Thanks

[DonDon]

BB gun works wonders. Dad would get me to sit out as a kid with my pellet gun shooting sparrows and startling. I was 8-10 years old and I did what Daddy said lol

[brent]

Asop, try it and let us know. I bought a sling shot and use glass shot. I bought it at Walmart. I make sure no martins or any animals are around and I shoot it at them. I also use a tomato stake with sparkly mardi gras garland attached that I throw toward them. Scares the h-e double hockey sticks out of them. I have used with success the repeating bait trap sold here. I have tried the deluxe universal sparrow trap with no success. Try it and let us know. Good luck.
Brent

[deancamp]

Never heard of that one. What's the thought process? I think if you don't eradicate the sparrows they will keep causing you problems.

[brent]

Agreed.
Brent

[Stacy B.]

Hey guys,
Another vote for the pellet gun here. That is if your not opposed to shooting of course.
I watch the male hosp try to set up shop on my housing for a few days. Then, I wake up early and deploy my camo tent/ground blind 30 ft. Or less from the housing. (My eyes aren't as sharp as they used to be). I usually don't wait long, 30 mins. Tops, and I eliminate the problem bird with my trusty old benjamin 392 that amazingly still shoots great.
Male hosps are smarter than you think. Be patient. Learn his patterns. Then be waiting on him when he makes his next move!

[asop]

I've been dispatching them for years but to no avail! Getting tired of dropping the house to clear out the nests and it is a rather heavy ordeal. I went to a local tennis facility and the guy gave me some over sized style tennis balls he said they train the kids with. I put one in each of the 8 compartments. Sparrows galore but none entering! Now I just have to make sure I see the matins when they arrive so I can remove the balls!

[C.C.Martins]

if it works there won't be a tennis ball within 50 miles of a martin landlord...be like toilet paper last year.

I'd say do both, they will be sitting ducks. Trouble is if a martin comes by, they won't be able to enter either?

[flyin-lowe]

I am guessing the tennis ball in the cavity is just something different when they look in. I don't think it will keep them out permanently. Kind of like when you add an insert trap. They realize something is different at first and they are ether slow to re enter or will sometimes go to a different cavity. Eventually they will go back in. The only way to get rid of them is to kill them. Either by trapping or shooting. Scaring them, pulling out their nest, etc. will never end. As soon as you go back into the house or leave they will come back.

Just out of curiosity did you read somewhere about putting in a tennis ball or how did you come up with that idea.

[Duke]

HOSP have been a nuisance early on but after taking out a few bull sparrows it’s been getting better. One thing for sure is they are smart , as soon as they see me they scatter like no tomorrow ! Anyone else they don’t budge.

[asop]

flying-low: It was just a thought I had as dropping the house was becoming a real ordeal! Still working by the way. I bought one of those cheap plastic houses along with a pole. Just haven't put it up yet!

[C.C.Martins]

Shooting sparrows: iv tried the blind, works great if they become familiar with it and its not viewed as a threat. Open windows work well too.
Yep they are smart, neighbor directly across from me has a single story heath up, right in front. 3 pairs of martins in there, same as last year but sparrows come by time to time but they don't survive long.
My point is sparrows don't view vehicles as a threat, they take cover under them. I pulled my truck up, rolled down the window, put up sun shades and waited...didnt take long, sparrow never knew what hit him. Nor did his mate.
This one spot is unique in that i can do that.

[philsand]

I can not shoot anything here in town.
Stalking absolutely works for starlings and sparrows. But you have to be a nut like me and have a few minutes in early morning and late afternoon. Obviously it only works if you are not overwhelmed. The fewer the targets the better. You need a favorable location of the system and some bushes or trees fairly close by.
You move very, very slowly toward them like a cat. You will see them start getting very jumpy and hesitant. Eventually they will fly to a near by bush, etc. Move toward that location. Keep following them until they get too far then throw something toward them. Repeat this when they return. Eventually they want no part of the site.

Their brains have a stored memory of the habits of predators. The fear of a predator is stronger that a fear of having their nest torn out, etc.

When you are aggressive with them they will start leaving the instant they see you and return the minute you go inside. When you stalk, they sit and watch you, get very nervous, then fly near by. If you catch them soon after they arrive, it only takes a couple of times. Five days is the most for others in my experience.

I have had a small colony of martins for over 40 years. Since I retired and started doing this I have been completely free of sparrows and starlings. This method is the least frustrating method I have at my disposal.