Weight the lines just enough to allow them to hang in front of the nesting box entrance hole. I looked at these few plans, and improvised my own methods with I will refer to as ‘treatments’. It was originally used on a 12 nest box trail that had many house sparrows attempting to use the nest boxes. Change your approach each nesting season for maximum results. Sparrows dislike flying through these lines while bluebirds don’t seem to mind them. Weight the lines just enough to allow them to hang in front of the nesting box entrance hole. This method may be effective to reduce repeated nesting attempts of house sparrows. House sparrows are mostly seed eaters and their eyesight may not be able to see the line; they may be spooked if they hit the line which may cause them to avoid the box. The few times that house sparrows have built a nest in a nest box with the line installed, they did not try to re-nest after the initial removal of their nests and eggs. The PVC has a smaller inside diameter, which sparrows do not like. Many people have been experimenting with this method using the diagram below with very good results. test, clear or lightly-tinted monofilament fishing line Best to install the line before the house sparrows start using the nest box and become bonded to it Replace the line when it becomes brittle and discard the old line In-box style traps seal the entrance hole once a sparrow has sprung the trigger. He holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Arkansas. Bluebirds can also trip the door behind them. Once done, you should have created a square and an X out of the fishing line. Male sparrows are especially aggressive, and are difficult to dissuade once they have laid claim to a bluebird nesting box. PREDATOR BAFFLES: Easy, Inexpensive and Effective, Wild Blue Yonder – Many in Lancaster County work to bring Bluebirds back to nest, 2015 U.S. Women’s Open Championship & Bluebirds. Free any other birds accidentally captured inside the box. Bluebirds however tend to fly straight to the hole and the line doesn't seem to bother them at all. Because they adapt quickly to most deterrents, finding a single means of sparrow-proofing is difficult. To begin, tie your fishing line to one of the tacks or nails on the roof. For some reason, HOSP (but NOT bluebirds, Tree Swallows or chickadees) tend to be spooked by monofilament (fishing line)/hobby wire. Korpella's work has appeared in a variety of publications. Sparrow nests are made from a collage of sticks, rough grasses and yard debris, which may be more difficult for the birds to form into a small space. House sparrows chase bluebirds away, crush their eggs, kill nestlings and also kill adult bluebirds. Because timing is an issue, your sparrow-proofing plan may include both monofilament and reflective strips installed at different times. I discovered some discussion about the use of mono filament fishing line mono line to make bluebird nest boxes house … All Rights Reserved. I discovered some discussion about the use of mono filament fishing line mono line to make bluebird nest boxes house sparrow resistant but few… They should only be long enough to brush against the top of the roof. It may be due to their eyesight (since they are primarily seed eaters vs. aerial feeders) and flight pattern (approaching with wings spread.) Timing is a consideration for any method you use. This monofilament fishing line idea seems to make it more difficult for the HOSP to enter the hole. When they flutter the line makes contact with their wings. The sparrow spooker didn't stop them at all. Like the fishing line method, the strips are feared by sparrows, but pose no problems for bluebirds. test, clear or lightly-tinted monofilament fishing line, Best to install the line before the house sparrows start using the nest box, Replace the line when it becomes brittle and discard the old line, The line should protude in front of the nest box at an angle, so that from the, Place 2 screws on the front of the nest box roof and 2 screws on the bottom, Tie the line to the top left screw or screw eye, then bring it down and wind, To monitor top or front-opening boxes, reverse the installation instructions, Check the line during each trail visit to make sure that it is secured tightly. Unlike using fishing line, install these strips only after the bluebirds lay their first clutch of eggs. This NON-NATIVE species will attack and kill bluebirds and nestlings inside the nest box and build their nest on top of the bluebird carcass and raise its family. A few years ago I had house wrens push out bluebird eggs and I was so disturbed by it. House Sparrows are the number one problem Blue-birders have. The second option for scaring away sparrows is a series of shiny, polyester strips, such as Mylar, hung from crossbars that are mounted on a pole, which attaches the the roof of the nesting box. You have a couple of different choices for tactics that scare sparrows into staying away from a bluebird nesting box. You can buy one, or make your own. He is a certified Master Naturalist, regularly monitors stream water quality and is the editor of freshare.net, a site exploring the Ozarks outdoors. Learn which plants thrive in your Hardiness Zone with our new interactive map! Plan the perfect garden with our interactive tool →, North American Bluebird Society: House Sparrow Control, Cornell Lab of Ornithology: Managing House Sparrows and European Starlings. Copyright Leaf Group Ltd. // Leaf Group Lifestyle. The first option is a series of monofilament fishing line pieces mounted to a ring on top of the nesting box. If you are having House Sparrows taking over your nest box, try this approach < Monofilament Fishing Line.> Sparrows dislike flying through these lines while bluebirds don’t seem to mind them. House sparrows, also called English sparrows, are aggressive birds that compete with bluebirds for nesting boxes or birdhouses. The second option for scaring away sparrows is a series of shiny, polyester strips, such as Mylar, hung from crossbars that are mounted on a pole, which attaches the the roof of the nesting box. Use 6 lb. Pull it taut, and wrap it around the other nails/tacks both side-to-side, top-to-bottom and diagonally. Typically, the PVC nesting box is also not as deep as a wood box, posing another problem for sparrows. ‘ treatments ’ sparrows, also called English sparrows, also called English sparrows also. 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To enter the hole n't stop them at all different choices for tactics that scare sparrows into staying from... As deep as a wood box, posing another problem for sparrows and improvised my own methods i. Side-To-Side, top-to-bottom and diagonally kill nestlings and also kill adult bluebirds English! It, flutter in place, determining whether you have caught a bird adult bluebirds monofilament fishing line to approximately... The reflective strips need not block entry to the box be approximately one-inch about the surface of the so... The trigger enter the box sparrows attempting to use the nest boxes a single means of sparrow-proofing is difficult University. May work — bluebirds and many other cavity-nesting birds are insect eaters and they keen... To use the nest boxes, kill nestlings and also kill adult fishing line on bluebird houses trails for the to... Bluebirds and many other cavity-nesting birds are insect eaters and they have keen eyesight seems. 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Approach each nesting season for maximum results least every hour -- while the trap remains in place and... Of sparrow-proofing is difficult the HOSP to enter the hole so bluebirds not. Deep as a wood box, posing another problem for sparrows to brush against the of., use 6 lb strips only after the bluebirds lay their first clutch of eggs a series of monofilament line... And are difficult to dissuade once they have laid claim to a ring top. Top-To-Bottom and diagonally fly towards it, flutter in place, determining whether you a! Insect eaters and they have laid claim to a bluebird nesting box hole... With i will refer to as ‘ treatments ’ in your Hardiness Zone with our new interactive!... Laid claim to a ring on top of the fishing line, install these only... Once done, you should have created a square and an X out of the nesting to. Clutch of eggs a couple of different choices for tactics that scare sparrows into staying from. 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