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I used to clean it out with bleach, then just cleaned out with water and now I just scrape the old nest out and leave it like that. The only time I scrub with water is when it had TRES in there and they made a mess….which is most of the time!
Tammy
How neat! We rarely have people out west on here. So excited to hear about your western bluebirds! So nice hearing from you again, Perry!!
Tammy
Mom goes far enough away to find food. It’s not unusual for them to not be nearby after the babies hatch. I think your wise in keeping that HOSP nestbox up. You have a Van Ert trap right? Let that HOSP build in that house and then trap!
Tammy
Agree with Gin. And give it a few days. Really the only way to know for sure. Don’t hurry to make a judgement call and remove eggs. Strange things have happened here.
Tammy
Oh my goodness…so glad that I rarely have wren problems here. I’m so sorry. That kills me …was so waiting for those eggs to hatch!
Tammy
sometimes you’ll find them hidden in the nesting material when you clean out the nest. Hope that little thing does well.
Tammy
Tree Swallows are much more protective of their nests and very aggressive. I have found one dead TRES which I guessed was from a HOSP and I’ve had a few eggs put on the ground by HOSP but all in all they are good at defending their nests.
Tammy
Yes, probably. I’ve seen them scooping it out with their paws. I’ve also had other critters eating it…my mallards, chipmunks, mice.
Tammy
The problem with letting them nest in the woodpecker box is it susceptible to raccoon and snakes. An easy quick meal. That’s why we always suggest a slick baffled pole. But that’s up to you.
Hope he leaves soon!Tammy
Lindsey, I love that trap!! Put it under wherever your HOSP is perching; near your feeders, next to a fence, near favorite shrubs etc. It works better when you have a decoy in it. Are you using millet/mixed seed to trap. They prefer white millet. But others have luck with bread,popcorn, etc. Sprinkle seed on liberally on the bait area #3 and then on the landing pad #3 and #6 area. Also sprinkle a little on the ground around the trap to first get them interested. So, like the others I would recommend that you purchase a cheap box ($9.99 at Lowes) and put a Van Ert trap in it. That’s how you get your decoy for your repeater trap. Your bluebirds will be interested in it though so set your timer and check on it every couple of hours. Never leave the house with it set.
Tammy
