How does it work?

Sorry, didn't know there were 2 threads on this topic. Do you constantly monitor the boxes where the traps are installed? Just in case you accidently trap native species?

The traps are in my Trio Martin house. I monitor them daily when in use and to be honest I have never caught any other bird in them except House Sparrows. Most other native songbirds like Bluebirds,Tree Swallows,Carolina Wrens,Titmice,Chickadees,etc have no use for a metal multi cavity martin house especially if you have plenty of nest sites for them at your place.

These traps are simply perfect for catching House Sparrows as they are always seeking out every cavity in a martin house. It is just their nature to do this and that is how they destroy martin nests also. It is never good to have these foreign pests nest with the martins also and that is the main reason I have these traps and this martin house. At the same time however I discovered how great the traps are helping the Bluebirds and the Tree Swallows. By eliminating the foreign scum sparrows and starlings from your area you set the stage for the return of the native songbirds like the Bluebird. Bluebirds are abundant here at my place and along my trail because of my relentless attitude towards destroying their number one enemy..The no good fer nothing,ugly,nasty House Sparrow...Mike

Many martin landlords use the spare-o-door inc myself. The only way the
trap can work is with the Trio Brand martin house only. Bluebird advocates need
only a Van ert Trap which can be used in almost any wooden nest box. There
very cheap and easy to use. My Spare-o-door traps are set all day long the only time they are closed is when there is a dead HOSP inside. I remove the
Sparrow set trap in a day or two when another Male fly's in he is trapped all native birds nest below and Martins run the HOSP into the small hole of the trap
which the HOSP prefer. Trio which is made by Nature house just modify there houses from Six by Six inside to six by six by twelve so the birds are
protected and out of reach of predators and will produce more chicks and eggs in the larger two unit size compartment. And the birds much prefer the larger unit over the much more saturated smaller units which the birds avoid.

Many martin landlords use the spare-o-door inc myself. The only way the
trap can work is with the Trio Brand martin house only. Bluebird advocates need
only a Van ert Trap which can be used in almost any wooden nest box. There
very cheap and easy to use. My Spare-o-door traps are set all day long the only time they are closed is when there is a dead HOSP inside. I remove the
Sparrow set trap in a day or two when another Male fly's in he is trapped all native birds nest below and Martins run the HOSP into the small hole of the trap
which the HOSP prefer. Trio which is made by Nature house just modify there houses from Six by Six inside to six by six by twelve so the birds are
protected and out of reach of predators and will produce more chicks and eggs in the larger two unit size compartment. And the birds much prefer the larger unit over the much more saturated smaller units which the birds avoid.

Hi Mike and welcome to the Bluebird forum. Many of us have been here for quite some time (this will be my 7th year), it's a great place to learn and share.Im sure you will fit right in. There is a great website, www.sialis.org we use to educate the new Bluebirders. It has info on many species of cavity nesters, you may be able to pass it on to a newbie. Most of us have Van Ert traps. I have only had to kill one HOSP ever and that was with a 22.I felt awful but it had to be done. They much prefer the cow pastures down the road a few miles so they don't visit often. There have been many angry threads in the general birdwatching forum over the years on this topic. We try to be respectfull of the forum and re direct those questions/comments to this forum. Thanks!

Thanks Lisa,

I have been a lover of the Bluebird since I was a small boy. I started my trail on my Granpa's farm back then and over the years it grew into what it has become. It fledges hundreds of young Bluebirds every year. I posted the info on the trap here because of how effective it has been for me at ridding my place of these no good birds that simply don't belong. I did not see how anyone could disagree at all? I guess they just don't get it on the other forum/ How can you say you love our native birds and in the same breath have sympathy for their number one enemy is my only question. I have seen the damage they cause Lisa. I have seen what they can and will do to Bluebirds and Martins.

Anyway thanks again. I truly love the most beautiful bird in the world with all my heart. The Eastern Bluebird is the best! The sky on his back and the earth on his chest. That perfect song they have! I have a 15 box BB Trail that winds around the meadow behind my home along with 3 to 4 pairs of Bluebirds nesting right in my front,back and side yards every year. In addition I have one of the lasrgest Purple Martin colonies in the state of Ky. Last year over 120 pairs of martins nested in my gourds here. Not one pair of starlings nested here and not one pair of House Sparrows because of my Spare-o-Door traps and my big Starling trap that is another post. Thanks again Lisa and long live teh Bluebird of Happiness smile...Mike