I would get a Van Ert trap right away. Maybe you can trap them before the Blues come back. You must be sure to NEVER leave the trap un attended. www.sialis.org has instructions and how to order , they are less than $5.00.

I agree with Lisa. If you trap the HOSP now they will not be an issue when your Bluebirds return to nest. Shooing them away will not work. HOSP are very persistent. Once they know the box is there, they are unlikely to leave it alone. I feel for you having to deal with them. I've always had to trap a few with the Van Ert inbox traps in the spring, but this year I've been inundated with the darned things. So far I've caught 9 HOSPs in a repeating trap, and I'm sure I'll still be needing to use the Van Ert traps as well.

I also would like to add that Sialis.org can tell you every thing you need to know about trapping HOSP. Most here won't want to discuss how to deal with them after trapping.

It may take some patience too. I just trapped a male HOSP and dealt him. Took 2 weekends but feels great.

Some tips: Sunrise - 12/1 PM is the best time to trap. HOSP are most active between Sunrise and 11 am. Early in the season you usually won't see them in the PM. Also try lures. Remember to check often ESP. in the case of a bluebird Vs. Hosp nestbox battle. Anything else, Sialis has it covered! Good luck!

Sorry for you deedee. Those nasty things are the most tenacious and determined birds I have ever seen. Whatever you do, don't allow them to claim your Bluebird box. I do own a repeating sparrow trap, but have not had much luck with it. I just purchased a Van Ert box trap, and for whatever reason, the dang HOSP's won't go into the box! I am so mad. I see them all around it. They land on top of it. They poo all over it. But, do they go inside? NO!! I swear it's like these birds KNOW when you are trying to get them.
lisa, kendra, blue......Advice?????? What the heck can I do to entice them into the trap box?? Thanks!!~~Angie

Angie - have you tried covering/removing the orange dot on the trap? Most have experienced that it will cause the HOSP to shy away, and this is what happend when I 1st used the Van Ert. Now, if they want to go in they usually will and get trapped.

Ok then blue, that is something that I can certainly do. I didn't think of that. I will do it as soon as it is light out. THANKS!!

blue.....you are a genius!! Your tip worked like a charm. I took that orange dot off, and nasty Mr. HOSP went right into the box!!! RIP Mr. Nasty!!!!! I am so happy!!!

I'm so happy for you Angie!! Just do us a favor and keep an eye on that box! I had to trap ANOTHER HOSP this afternoon...I'm gonna post about it in my thread...check it out!

I didn't re-hang the box because I haven't seen any others but that one pair in the yard. As soon as I see another one though, I will reset it and watch it closely. I think that the female will move on now that the male is gone, don't you? Thanks again for the tip. Sometimes, it is something as simple as removing the orange dot. We can sure help each other with our prior experiences and knowledge. :o) ~~Angie

Yes, Angie, the female will abandon the nest site in search of another male, which frees up the box for native species.

If you get the female HOSP though, Mr will stay and try to attract another. But you will eventually get the male and it will be all over for him. Twice though, I got BOTH the male and female at the same time! Not sure how it happens but its hilarious!

ingenuity sure is something we bluebirders have...even little things can help us succeed! (Sparrow Spookers, for example. Which work GREAT)

Well Tim, It's NEVER safe to assume! After I had posted here yesterday, I looked outside, and what do you think I saw? YEP! Another bull HOSP checking out my Titmouse box. YIKES!! I guess that female went off and brought another male here to nest! Well, I just went on out and hung my nice trap box in its place, complete with a piece of dried grass hanging from the hole! Didn't get him yesterday, but maybe I will today. I do have Sparrow Spookers and use them religiously once my Blues have laid the first egg. I did place them onto boxes early this year trying to deter this determined pair of HOSP's, and I watched them carry in their nesting materials with the Spooker right on the box. Didn't seem to bother them a bit. ~~Angie

deedee, I agree with everyone else, get a Van Ert. Good luck.

bandjzmom, wtg on getting that HOSP, hope you get the other one now too. I always tape a leaf over the black dot on my van erts, works perfectly. I am amazed that no HOSP have started to show any interest in my nestboxes yet, I have a few come to the feeders now and then. Blues aren't back here yet but I have Dees checking things out.

Donna

Thank you everyone for all your tips ordered the trap haven't seen any HOSP since that day, and my blues came back yesterday...they are sitting on the house and going in and out I'm watching very closely in the past as soon as they started making their nest I put up the sparrow spooker and have always had success. Even went and got my son's BB gun out one way or another I'll get those HOSP. Again thank you all so much for your advice I love this website your all great BB friends. I'll keep everyone posted with my first nesting of this yr as soon as it happens.

Anyone ever tried Sparrow Spookers on PAIRED nest boxes? I did last year when I had bluebirds and Tree Swallows nesting together and never had anything show up.

But what about a Spooker on a paired box when HOSP are active in the opposite box? What would happen then?! I just started pairing last year due to fighting b/w my blues and the swallows.

BTW there's ANOTHER HOSP out there!! He won't go in either of the boxes though! I anxiously watched him sit behind the box in the trees and chirp his head off all day but he never went in. ARGH...I'll get him this weekend!!!!