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Lantern flies have infested the northeast in the last couple of years. They are an invasive Chinese bug that is killing trees everywhere. Nothing seems to eat them either.
The HOSPs have been worst than ever this year. Usually they move on by now. I cannot get rid of them. I trapped a couple and somehow they got out before I could dispose of them. Very distressing. And neighbors all over our neighborhood just breed them like crazy. Sickening. I almost wish you needed a license. Everyone seems to understand the lantern fly needs to be destroyed so why do birdhouse manufacturers not educate their customers on this epidemic. My 10 year old daughter could never understand why I hate house sparrows so much…i tried to explain it by explaining invasive species… and suddenly it clicked …”ohhhhhhh theyre like lanterflies!” She got it.
Yes. Terrible spring this year in SE PA! First time in 4 years no tree swallows nesting in my yard. We had a freeze in early May. Hoping for something other than increased numbers of house sparrows. Maybe June will bring luck :(
Just closing the loop on this. The pair obviously moved on. Last sighting was July 6. I guess I blew my chance somehow. Oh eell. Hopefully next year. Should I try to put mealworms out…is there a chance they’ll come by in the late summer or fall?
I lost my baby swallows this spring. No idea what did it. No real nest disturbance and missing mom and dad. I gueas I’ll never know. First I thoight snake, then maybe wren or HOSP, but the HOSP generally stay off of my property after many years of trapping and bb gunning.
Ok I changed them to southeast. We’ll see what happens. My front lawn doesn’t get a lot of early morning sun either way.
Came and went again this morning. Stupid starling chase hime off my box. Infuriating! I shoild never have put mealworms out. Just attracts starlings. Anyone ever try retrofitting an old bliebird box intoa mealworms feeder? I was thinking of trying that so the starlings can’t get them, but probably needs a transparent top right?
I guess they could be but they seemed pretty excited a few days ago. There is a golf coirse a half block away so I suppose they may have finally put up bluebird boxes there. Selfishly hoping not…
Rich, this is so great! It’s been my mission as well to bring bluebirds back to my neighborhood, though it has probably been a lot longer of a drought! This is an old suburb. I have been successful bringing them back to the park nearby, and the next steo.is to draw them into our neighborhood. This isnthe first year I have them at least hunting and appearing in my neighborhood, so we’re on the right track. You’re story is so encouraging to me. Gid bless!
The box is facing northish. Funny, I have two walmart boxes, an old one and a new one. The one they seem interested in is the old one. The other one is facing west. I DID just notice a wasp going in the one they’re interested in AN HOIR AGO. Wonder if it was in there while they looked. Hmmm. And i left a ill fated unspoiled tree swallow nest in the other box. Maybe they’ll get serios on my wedding anniversary which is Sunday. That woild be a nice gift! Haven’t seen them since this morning. But I remember when the swallows made a nest there was a period of time they weren’t around. It’s been really hot here in the philly burbs the past couple days. I really appreciate all the responses though. Thanks, all.
