Hi Folks, Researched storing bird house gourds in this forum and the consensus (sp?) seemed to be leave them in the garden over winter. Great idea, but due to rotation, will need that space come October to plant Garlic (French Music). So will need to harvest and move to the barn. Thinking of putting them on chicken wire strung between the ceiling joists, that way they'll get plenty of air flow. A related question is, do mice damage them in storage. Have a major field mouse problem in the barn. I put down D-Con, TomCat, etc. begining in September and continue through the winter. Not going into the damage caused to small and large engines by the little kritters. Thoughts, opinions welcomed. Thanks for your time, Ev

What a great idea to build that feeding station. It looks great. I use a double sheppard's hook for the same purpose. I'm not an expert either but what I do know is that Hostanista is correct. Another thing to consider about birdhouses is that different birds have different requirements when it comes to picking a home, something to consider if you're also building birdhouses. Size matters as well as how big the entrance is. It's also advisable to re-enforce the opening so larger birds can't widen it to get in. They might also be picky about location and what direction the entrance faces, something to consider when putting a house up. I suggest to research the birds you'd like to see in a birdhouse and find out what kind they like, where to put it and how to face it. Somehow, if we give them what they want, they seem to show up even if they've never have before.

I have a recommendation for whole-house fans, and that is to go with the ones made by Triangle Engineering of Arkansas (made in the USA!). These things move more air than any other brand. As an example: the 36" belt-drive model sold at Lowes & Home Depot moves 6,900 CFM on its highest speed. The 36" one that Triangle makes moves 10,600 CFM. I just put one of these in last week and am so taken with it that I'm evangelizing for Triangle now. These things are much higher quality than the other brands too -- these are made with very heavy-gauge solid welded steel (as opposed to the thin, flimsy metal - often aluminum - that other brands use). They use a very solid motor made by Emerson, the best of the top three motor-making companies (the other two being Fasco and A.O. Smith). They come pre-framed on a wood frame for installation, AND they have sponge-rubber noise-dampening material between the fan and the frame, so they are much quieter than the other brands. Also, Triangle holds a patent on an automatic belt-tensioning system these things use, so you don't have to worry about getting the tension right when you install the fan (or in the years thereafter as the belt loosens up). Also, they come in more sizes than the other companies -- from 24" all the way up to 48" blade diameter (which moves a ridiculously whopping amount of air; no one else makes one that big). They're sold online at Southern Tool amongst other places that ship nationwide, so they're available wherever you live. Also, Triangle re-brands some of these as a private label for Dayton, which is the "store brand" of Grainger - so if you have a Grainger store near you (check your phone book or their website), you can buy one there. I will say this, though - Grainger/Dayton makes their own shutters, and those shutters are much better than the one Triangle makes. Triangle makes great fans, but crappy shutters. Luckily, they're sold separately -- so buy a Triangle fan and Dayton shutters; money can't buy better products. They also re-brand some for a company out in San Francisco called "Fanman" (a/k/a "Delta Breeze"). A word to the wise -- these fans move a lot of air, so make sure to install at least the recommended minimum amount of attic exhaust space (gable vents, soffit vents, roof vents, some combination thereof, whatever works for you) - if you don't have enough, the fan will operate at reduced capacity, and there will be a backpressure which will cause the shutters to rattle when the fan is in operation (any time you hear whole-house fan shutters rattling, you know there isn't enough exhaust space). Oh, and one other thing -- only buy a belt-drive whole-house fan, don't EVER buy a direct-drive model...the direct-drive models are at least five times louder, they sound like standing on an airport runway next to an old prop plane getting ready to take off. Several of the dedicated whole-house fan installing companies have chosen to use Triangle fans; that should tell you something. These companies want satisfied customers, so they use Triangle and only Triangle. Refer to http://www.trianglefans.com/wholehouse.html for more info Here is a link that might be useful: Triangle whole-house fans

OutsidePlaying, I have the great honor of having Western Bluebirds nest in my bird box year after year. One year there were three litters (I don't know what you call a batch of bird babies). They arrive early and build nests of dirt and rocks, grass and feathers. I don't know how they do it. They are beautiful little creatures. My nextdoor neighbor has the Wild Birds Unlimited franchise in my town. The birds love it here! I would definitely visit a store such as that and choose a house that is right for the type of bird you want to attract. For me, aesthetics are way down the list because I want whatever the birds want. I built my bird box at a workshop in 2005. I think it's recycled redwood fencing or barn wood. Something arcy said was true in my case. The first year I had the box no birds came. Then one year I had some major landscaping done and they stayed away that year too. I love my bluebirds. They connect me with the Creator. ETA: If I ever get a tattoo, and I'm not ruling it out, one of the things I've considered is a bluebird.