Advice for HOSP problem

[Yowell784]

Right after my five babies fledged, a nasty HOSP started taking over the house. The parents tried to fight them off for awhile, but I think they were too busy taking care of the babies. So I got out my van ert trap and installed it. The HOSP was watching the whole time. He was suspicious and reluctant to go in the house. He finally went in and narrowly escaped. That has never happened before. I won’t leave the trap on unattended so every time I put it on he’s wise to it. I’ve left it closed up when I am not home. What should I do? Take the trap off for awhile and let him get comfortable? Will my bluebirds come back once I deal with him???

[Carol – Mid-Mo.]

Lisa, had you removed the BB’s nest? Did you not get him trapped, by “narrowly escaped, I guess you mean No. I have trapped several HOSP this season with my VanErt (also a starling believe it or not). If there is too much nesting material around the trap arm, it will prevent it from springing closed & the bird will escape. My suggestion, since the blues have fledged, is to clean out the old nest, let the HOSP begin to build their own nest, wait until there is a male & female at the box and committed to it, and them set it some time when you can watch it. Don’t let them get too much nest material in, only about a couple of inches or less. Many times I have caught one in less than 10 minutes, in the early morning or just before dusk I find are the best times. Go get him!!
P.S. It is also VERY handy to have two boxes, one to keep HOSP busy and trap them, and the other one for the blues to have.

[Yowell784]

I had already removed the nest and cleaned the box. He knew something was off and kept looking in the box. Not sure how he got out. He did set the trap off. Ok, I will take the trap off and let him get comfy.

[Carol – Mid-Mo.]

Odd that if he set the trap off it did not capture him…… I just got back in from setting a trap in one of my boxes which had a full nest & 1 egg of HOSP. They can build and lay SO fast it is hard to keep up. Oh, by the way, WELCOME back to this new forum. I have missed some of the old group but we have new people here which are great, also.

[tamsea]

They’re a little suspicious of an empty box. It also helps sometimes, Lisa, to put it late in the evening. Often times it’s tripped in the morning. But I agree…let him feel comfy again before setting it.

Tammy

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