How to Clean a Purple Martin Bird House
Purple martins are favorites of bird enthusiasts for a number of reasons. They are one of the friendliest songbirds and unlike many birds, they actually prefer living close to human housing. If you spend some time near their house, they will soon grow accustomed to human contact and you will be able to watch them very closely. They're beneficial birds to have around, because they enjoy dining on mosquitoes and other unwanted pests. Purple martins houses are easy to maintain, but it is important that they are cleaned regularly.
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Things You'll Need
- Rubber gloves
- Bucket
- Bleach
- Water
- Putty knife or paint scraper
- Sand paper and paint, if necessary
Instructions
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Watch for the purple martins to leave for their regular autumn migration. Take the house down and remove any nesting materials from inside.
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Put on a pair of rubber gloves, and mix a solution of 9 parts water to 1 part bleach in a bucket. Scrub the inside of the house and rinse it thoroughly. If necessary, use a putty knife or paint scraper to remove stuck-on bird droppings.
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Leave the purple martin house to air dry in the sun, and then bring it indoors for the winter. If the house is made from a gourd or constructed from wood, this is a good time for sanding and repainting.
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Replace the purple martin house in its normal place before it is time for the purple martins to return for the spring.
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Tips & Warnings
If your purple martin house is attached to a pole and you can't bring it in for the winter, be sure to plug the hole after the house is cleaned and dried. Otherwise, there is a danger that starlings and sparrows will take up residence, and once they do, they're nearly impossible to remove.
References
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Comments
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When do the martans come back for the summer?
