House Sparrows

[Thomas Maddox]

I have 2 pair of HOSPS starting to build nests in my PM box. I haven't been able to successfully shoot nor trap them. So, should I pull the nest out as they build it? Wait until they are finished building? After eggs are laid? I've also read where HOSPS may retaliate. Thoughts?

[Thomabear]

Just my thoughts but if you aren't able to shoot or trap them, I would pull the nests now. That way any retaliation would be minimized prior to your martins laying or raising young.

[flyin-lowe]

Do you have martins back yet? Trapping or shooting are the only ways to get rid of them. Pulling the nest will not stop them, they will build back. However if you have martins nesting males sparrows have been known to go into a rage when you destroy their nest and attack nearby nesting martins.

[Thomas Maddox]

I have the returning pair from last year and an ASY male has been hanging around for the past few days. I have a T1 trap that I bought from the PMCA that is baited with cracked corn. I keep moving it around but nothing caught yet. I need to resight my pellet gun as I'm missing my shots. Since I've shot and missed, they won't let me get near them. I'm considering 22 rat shot.

[flyin-lowe]

Unless you have a high end pellet gun it is hard to get close enough to a HOSP to get a shot at them within range. I have tried the .22 rat shot on HOSP as well and not had much luck. There are some rounds that have a plastic bubble on the end and some that are loaded with shot and the end is just crimped shut. I've had better luck with the crimped ends. Trapping with bait traps is really hit and miss for me. I will go weeks with nothing then catch several in a day. This time of year insert traps are the best bet.

[Thomas Maddox]

I'm a ways off from retirement, but had the day off. I lowered the box and opened the cavity that had a HOSP nest in it. Since I could monitor it and bc the PMs were gone, I cut a piece of sticky rat paper and placed it in the that cavity. 15 minutes later, I had the male. I thoroughly checked the cavity for residue. I don't think I would do it if I had PMs looking at my site. I didn't reduce the entrance hole to prevent PMs from going in, but will cut a piece of cardboard or the like and have it ready for next time and I'm sure there will be a next time!

[starling shooter]

Get the spring loaded trap. Bait it with white feathers. You’ll catch all of them.

[C.C.Martins]

I'm a ways off from retirement, but had the day off. I lowered the box and opened the cavity that had a HOSP nest in it. Since I could monitor it and bc the PMs were gone, I cut a piece of sticky rat paper and placed it in the that cavity. 15 minutes later, I had the male. I thoroughly checked the cavity for residue. I don't think I would do it if I had PMs looking at my site. I didn't reduce the entrance hole to prevent PMs from going in, but will cut a piece of cardboard or the like and have it ready for next time and I'm sure there will be a next time!

Well done.

[Jones4381]

Relief! Nice job.

[Thomas Maddox]

Thanks! I've read about the white feathers before. Now, if I could find some!

[C.C.Martins]

Try dollar store, michaels, or maybe craft area in wal mart. If you've a city park that has ducks, or know someone who has chickens....
Sparrows like cellophane wrappers, cotton balls, torn toilet paper pieces too. Can be twisted up and stuck on the side of the ST 1. Watched a male last year hop all around our trap, he stole a piece of tissue paper and flew away. Little bugger.
Best bait is either another sparrow or their nesting material.
To keep the feathers from blowing out push them into a piece of foam insulation.

If your looking for something to temporarily place over the door that will last, use a piece of plastic or stiff material, cut a 1 3/8 inch hole in it and measure it for your entrances. Once the sparrow bonds to the cavity can place it over "his" entrance and place the trap in. Delicate balance, don't want to nab the female or destroy his eggs with martins around.
Iv an Excluder gourd in the truck with a piece of sintra attached to the front, 1 3/8 inch hole drilled into it. There's a PMCA excluder trap in it, worst case ill use a glue trap. Idea is to just take the sparrows gourd off the hanger, get the nesting material out and replace an excluder gourd with the trap gourd. I almost have to wait till they are bonded to it or have eggs....public site can't shoot.

[Thomas Maddox]

CC. The 1 3/8" hole. Do you mean a circle? I have crescent holes in my PM house. Thanks!

[Martintown33]

Good job with the sticky trap. Reducing the hole size, as you mentioned, is good. You’re right, Once you miss the HOSP with your pellet gun it’s hard to get a second shot. I’ve built a blind that is lightweight and easily moveable that I can sit in and shoot from. It works every time. They never know what hit them.. if you want more info on the blind, just let me know..
Good luck,
Rob

[C.C.Martins]

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CC. The 1 3/8" hole. Do you mean a circle? I have crescent holes in my PM house. Thanks!

Yes, the circle, sorry Thomas. If you cut it close to the edge of the material it will be flush with your porch. Sorry should have said that.
Iv fitted it for WDC and excluder entrances and it covers them both. Here's a picture
Tom

[Thomas Maddox]

I bought some white feathers and put a few in my trap. Hopefully my BB s that are currently building a nest don't decide to use them! Thanks for the picture! I get it now. I'm going to get on that today after work. Rob, thanks for your input. I may hit you up later.

[Jones4381]

Didn't know that about white feathers. For whatever reason only 1 HOSP this year seen and eliminated (that was over 3 weeks ago) and 0 Starlings so far seen around gourd racks. All cavities still plugged and awaiting the first arrival....I'm almost certain as soon as I unplug the gun will have to come out or this post will jinx me...Good luck Mr. Maddox and looking forward to how it goes for you.

[Thomas Maddox]

I found another HOSP nest(saw them coming and going). I made the 1 and 3/8 inch hole out of a piece of plastic and attached it over the entrance. Now those little devils won't enter. I guess I should remove the "hole" and wait until eggs are laid? They sure are smart.

[C.C.Martins]

dang things!
can try this: set up a blind you can shoot from, you and one other person go to the blind. Shooter stays in the blind, other person walks away and leaves. then shoot the male.
they are smart, can't count though. blinds work well.

it may be sticky trap time, just watch that entrance for anything other than sparrows.

[Martintown33]

Agree.. shooting from a blind makes it so easy… I’ve had great success with mine.. they have no fear, because they can’t see you..they’ll perch and chirp, feeling confident.. just sit in the blind, line the HOSP up and pull the trigger. They never know what hit them..
Good luck
Rob

[brent]

Rob can you post a picture of your blind? Thanks, Brent