I take the two liter pop bottle, cut it about an inch under the top rib. Making basically a funnel. :-) Invert that into the bottom part, staple together. Be sure you get it as close together as possible, if not just put a little tape around the top to close it so they can't get out there. Put/staple on a string to hang, making sure it goes through the two pieces. Add about an inch or so of sugar water. They can get in but can't get out. Every year I have about 3 green "bottles" placed around (a distance from where we are), they for some reason are more attracted to the green bottles. Worked ever year so far and oddly enough I have never found any honey bees in there. Hope that helps. :-)

rofl... how do I get my rocks? I stick a pitch fork into the ground, and toss anything that sticks into a checken-wire sieve. 'gravel' is anything smaller than the palm of my hand, and that gets dumped in a pile for the paths. small rocks get piled to the left until I hit a bigger rock...then I pry the rock out, and add it to the wall. after you do this half a dozen times, you have a depression in the dirt. I add a coffee can full of worm castings and finished compost, a coffee can or three of water, stick a plant in the depression, and backfill the hole... oh, no, wait- that's how I prepare the garden beds ;) the rocks around here outnumber the insects.

If they are trying to attach a paper nest to the underside of your deck, spraying WD-40 on the spot will keep them from building there. But there are also German yellow jackets that nest in holes in the ground....or in a crack in your siding and get into your walls. That's nasty stuff! If they are going into a hole in your house, call an exterminator....my son landed in the ER because he was attacked when he accidentally disturbed a nest! Nasty bugs!! Linda C PS my son is a grown man, past 40...not a child!

Most of my bluebird box's are on powerline right-a-ways there is one that runs north to south about 6 miles there are box's every 1/4 mile and in good years most were taken about 40 are on the powerline. The rest farms and gas lines that run threw the woods. No sparrows in these area's only problem Black racer snakes. But have a system to manage snakes. Also manage 2 country club Martin colony's a college Martin colony a Landtrust martin colony a Doctor's colony. Yes I am in over my head....No Kids single most of my life and very devoted to my cause of saving Bluebirds and Martins in RI. I use noel wire on every box NO Coon or Fisher. 21 years bluebird work and 16 Martin. I am very burnt out by Aug but love the work and very well known by Bluebird landlords and Martin landlords. I am very active advocate much more than just a landlord. One person can make a difference and anyone can turn there community around and help these native birds it just takes passion. Most of my Martin colony's are on displace and location is key public locations..... once seen new sites go up and everyone wants martins One site host a charity golf match three days people from all over New England come and see the Martins and are so shocked to see a real Purple Martin. Rhode Island School of Design is my College site they have Martins at there Barrington Campus site people from around the country visit and see the birds and want them......Gourds must be used with Martins and not small aluminum houses martins dont like small units. Every year the Martin population doubles and Barrington RI Probably will have the largest number of Martins in New England the community is adding more units yearly.... They nested in one location back in 2005 this season five..... I am a very happy person to see my work prosper and grow Ray