Know your bees......

[CHenry]

Where do ya get a colony of Purple Martins?

Put up a Martin house properly and they will find it. They return every year to the same location. I had a Martin house that housed 12 pair plus all the babies and never saw another wasp or yellow jacket. They are cool song birds and bug catching matchines.
Here
https://www.purplemartin.org/resear...EgFvOSrme66pIwCDdPicrEgOsbWqeKIsaAioEEALw_wcB

 

[CHenry]

Flippin' red wasps are BAD this year. We have them in the wellhouse and every time I get close to them, they come straight at me. I tried drenching them with a water hose yesterday, but one of the winged buttnuggets made it through the stream and chased me across the yard.

Gas works more effectively

 

[TerryMiller]

Where do ya get a colony of Purple Martins?

Here's a bit of information on Purple Martins. The site also has some links at the bottom referring to "gourd" houses and others.

Attracting Purple Martins

That said, I've never put up a Purple Martin house, so you might want to also ask around at places that deal with "birders." Wild Birds Unlimited and some feed places might be sources to check, especially if there are differences in houses and such based on locations.

 

[DavidMcmillan]

The Purple Martin suggestion is dead-on. Plus, they're fun to watch!

 

[Neanderthal]

Gas works more effectively

Yep, but my wife has her herb garden on the side of the wellhouse and she'd kick my arse if I gassed up her greenery. I got wasp spray today, but don't have a lot of faith that I'll come out of the battle unscathed.

 

[MacFromOK]

I got wasp spray today, but don't have a lot of faith that I'll come out of the battle unscathed.

The wasp sprays I've had work just as quickly as gasoline. And they easily spray a stream 10-15ft (maybe more).

 

[MacFromOK]

The Purple Martin suggestion is dead-on. Plus, they're fun to watch!

FWIW, I just ordered this package...

https://www.bestnest.com/bestnest/RTProduct.asp?SKU=BN-AH-12D-KIT2

 

[CHenry]

Here's a bit of information on Purple Martins. The site also has some links at the bottom referring to "gourd" houses and others.

Attracting Purple Martins

That said, I've never put up a Purple Martin house, so you might want to also ask around at places that deal with "birders." Wild Birds Unlimited and some feed places might be sources to check, especially if there are differences in houses and such based on locations.

A gourd rack placed in the open at least 50' from any trees or tall structures (this is crucial for success) and a nearby pond also helps. Once they find it, they are there to stay. I raised Martins for 11 years. Very people friendly birds and pretty to listen to. Plus they are like watching little dive bombers.

 

[CHenry]

FWIW, I just ordered this package...

https://www.bestnest.com/bestnest/RTProduct.asp?SKU=BN-AH-12D-KIT2

You will want something that's easy to lower down as you have to do some occational housekeeping inside the house. My gourd rack had a rope pully system on it to raise and lower it. Of course I had already been through the cheap route and the new rack cost $400
It's too late this year to get any martins, They migrate north in March, nest, mate, raise the young and leave usually by July or aug. Depends on the weather patterns and how soon they can lay. A cold march and April like we had would delay them so they will be here this year up into Aug.

 

[MacFromOK]

You will want something that's easy to lower down as you have to do some occational housekeeping inside the house. My gourd rack had a rope pully system on it to raise and lower it. Of course I had already been through the cheap route and the new rack cost $400

Yeah, I've read quite a bit about 'em in the last hour or so. From what I understand, they need to be cleaned at least once per year in the fall.

I plan to hang it with a nylon rope (probably from a couple tree limbs w/pulley system) so I can lower and raise it without much effort. If the gourds work ok hanging, I don't see why a house can't as well.

Thanks.