Sparrowtraps.net Trap Issues – Unlucky…..

[Kirk]

Hello;
Bought a new repeating sparrow trap from sparrowtraps.net and put it on ~2ft. legs with a plywood table top. The trap is anchored to the platform and I have red millet as bait. Trap was by the sparrows main roosting area – since moved to the feeder area. I’ve had it for over a week and nothing. Am I doing something wrong?

[dpurdue]

Not sure where you are but in the Midwest winter is not a great time to trap-although you will catch a few.
You have several options
Try feathers or nesting materials as bait
Try suet or sunflower chips as bait although this will attract other birds as well
Some people start by tying elevator up for a few days to let sparrows become accustomed to it
I personally didn’t have any luck with millet-a lot of sites recommended cracked corn
Check out sialis.org-tons of info
Good luck
Darrell in KC

[dpurdue]

You can also “sparrow proof ” your feeders to coax more of them to the trap
Darrell

[Kirk]

I’m in the Bi-State area of St. Louis. On the Illinois side in the country….. How do U “Sparrow-poof” a feeder? I remove the cheap feed and only filled with Sunflower & Safflower.

Thx for the info.

[dpurdue]

There are several different methods
Fishing line is the easiest
Avoid platform feeders !
Sparrows don’t like short perches
I cut the perches on my finch feeder to about 1 1/4″ and tied some fishing line around top-keeps 99% of them away
You can use wire coat hangers or pipe cleaners-anything that obstructs their flight path to the feeders
A “clingers only ” feeder is very effective as well
Sialis.org has all the info
Good Luck
Darrell in KC

[tamsea]

Kirk, I have found that red millet is not a house sparrow’s favorite food. They seem to ignore it. In my opinion cracked corn isn’t a good option either. I use white millet only or mixed seed with a lot of white millet in it and little to no red millet. Try that. Some people use bread. The winter months isn’t the best time to trap but soon it will be better. It takes awhile for you to catch the first one but after you have the first one the others will trap easier.
You have to keep the first one as a decoy in your holding area and try to keep it alive as long as poosible by supplying with food and water because it will be what draws the others in.
I often catch my first one with a inbox Van Ert trap and then I put that HOSP in the holding area of the repeating trap as a decoy.
Put the trap right under where you see the HOSP (house sparrows) perching a lot. If it doesn’t work one place after a few weeks then put it somewhere else.
So first change to white millet or bread but not red millet. People use the fishing line, or string on their feeders but personally I don’t like to do that. They get used t it and I’d rather save it for the bluebird nest boxes. Get back with us and maybe we can give you other suggestions.

• This reply was modified 8 years, 1 month ago by tamsea.

Tammy

[dpurdue]

For what it’s worth I haven’t had any luck with the white proso millet
The sparrows won’t touch it here in Kansas City anyway
Still looking for best bait combinations
Anything peanut flavored seems to be a favorite but this attracts other birds as well
Catching lots of starlings though!
Darrell in KC

[tamsea]

I agree, peanut butter suet works great!! I try not to use that though, because I kept catching my bluebirds in the trap and I’m not all that great at checking the trap for native birds sometimes. The only time I use peanut butter suet in the trap is when I’m trying to catch Starlings in the wintertime.

Tammy

[dpurdue]

I am fortunate to have a wife that is at home most days and willing to release the unwanted prisoners!
I don’t have any bluebirds hanging out lately 😩
Darrell in KC

[tamsea]

That works. But just be really careful using Suet. Other things will work. When the birds start nesting and having babies you’ll have much better luck.

Tammy

[Kirk]

Thx for the advise – I’ve changed my feeders (outside of the thistle) to just sun flower and safflower. I’ve baited the trap with crack corn and white millet, but also put in some nesting materials. Thanks again.

[tamsea]

Let us know how you do. I hope I’m not repeating info..But
Sprinkle millet on the landing area and even around the trap to get the HOSP coming to that area. If you have it resting on a table or something sprinkle a little on that area. And of course the bait area. Nesting material is a good idea.

Tammy

[Kirk]

Thanks to everyone – I actually bought a Kage-ALL trap and having all kinds of success with this trap. The one from SparrowTraps.net has only one tally – and that was only after I baited with a female from the Kage-ALL trap. Weather hasn’t really broken here – guess I’ll wait and see what the spring brings.

I did have it on legs (~2 feet) above the ground, trap is anchored to a piece of plywood. I may put it back on the legs…….

[tamsea]

That’s not a repeating trap though, right? Please don’t give up on the Repeating Trap. It’s not the easy season to catch HOSP but it will soon be. You’ll be **AMAZED** how many this trap catches…if you have a ton at your place. It just takes awhile to get the first one. I put mine directly on the ground.

Tammy

[Kirk]

Thx for the response Tammy – yes it’s supposed to be repeating as well. I have both out there, and will continue to them all season. Live in the country and have nesting Bluebirds, Tree Swallows by the pond & Purple Martins. My wife is from the country and I never understood her people’s distain for sparrows – they were farmers. I do know now…… :)

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