Purple Martins are fun to watch, whether you live near a colony or not.
So if you’re wondering whether to get rid of the martins, then Ive got you covered.
In this article, I’ll show you how to get rid of the martins (obviously), but it will also be helpful to identify other potential sources of the problem and adapt certain strategies.
How to Get Rid of Purple Martin Birds Naturally
Contents
Martins are stunning birds with distinctive purple feathers and a high-pitched, warbling song.
They’re also common around many North American homes. However, one unfortunate characteristic of purple martins is that they don’t exactly welcome humans into their nests.
Instead, they chase or harass them. For this reason, many homeowners hire someone else to remove their purple martins from their homes.
Fortunately, you don’t have to use harsh medications and expensive construction methods to get rid of purple martins.
Purple martin bird traps
Purple martin bird traps are a good option to use when removing purple martins from your property.
Make sure you’re using the martin bird as bait for your purple martin bird trap so it is not hurt.
Many people consider trapping purple martins as cruel. However, it is necessary if you don’t live near a large population of purple martins where you can let them go into the wild.
Trapping purple martins Poised to be bottled by illustrator Gabriele Cico.
You may release them in the wild or have them released at a bird rehabilitation center. Baited martin bird traps are small enclosures usually made of plastic or wire. The bird enters through a trap door that Barbara Reads the head from the kill.
Many people pluck captive birds’ feathers to sell them at an artisans’ market or cat show.
Trapping Purple Martins to reduce feeding nuisances isn’t right. Purple Martins can be destructive to crops by consuming large amounts of berries and insects.
Bird gels and slides
Bird slides may be installed on tree trunks, roof overhangs, and vertical surfaces. They may also be used to deter other birds from territory control. The gel formula is made with peppermint oil, which kills birds instantly.
Simply locate the spots where martins attempt to build a nest and place bird repellent devices there.
If you place many slides close to the area where martins attempt to nest, you greatly reduce the chances of the birds building a nest and laying eggs on your trees.
The number of slides you’ll need is mostly determined by the time of year.
For example, birds will use various ledges during migration, but many will not use the ledge once the weather turns cold.
Home-made natural repellent
Purple martins are sensitive to particular scents, so by hiding a bottle of homemade natural repellent in some bushes where purple martins are likely to feed, they will be deterred from landing on these bushes.
Mix all of the components together and allow it to stand for 24 hours at most.
Before spraying the repellent, mix in a few drops of mineral oil or which will prevent your homemade natural repellent from turning purple or cloudy. Now, it’s time to start spraying away!
Transfer the purple martin repellent to a spray bottle after the ingredients have been well combined.
Do this at regular intervals around where you anticipate purple martins would make their nests in trees, leaves, and shrubs.
Spray it on shrubs, leaves, trees, and other insects’ perches throughout the day.
The purple martin repellent will linger on birds’ feathers and, therefore, help keep them away. Remember to reapply the homemade natural repellent as necessary.
Installation of spikes
Install the spikes on an even surface on the window sills and overhangs.
After the spikes are in, the purple martins will eventually learn to stay away from the spikes.
These bird spikes will hinder purple martins from roosting on your window sills and overhangs, making it hard for them to nest on your windows.
The purple martins will eventually figure out that these spikes prevent them from getting house credit and will move on to other suitable locations.
Pest control shops sell spike strips in a black leatherette packet.
The spikes are customized to fit under sills, windows, awnings, and other areas where birds perch. After fixing them in place, cover them up with paint, paint tape, or construction paper.
Another option is to install shorter spike strips. The use of short spike strips does not prevent birds from perching on windowsills and overhangs, they simply stopped from resting on them.
Aluminium foil wrapping
Wrapping the nesting location with aluminum foil is an excellent idea since the flat sheet of aluminum provides minimal protection from Martin predators.
This method may not be suitable in all situations, but it certainly is an effective method for temporarily getting rid of Purple Martins.
Use a net to cover the nesting space.
Birds may be efficiently deterred from locations such your porch or garden by using nets with a combination of various items.
It’s comprised of a breathable material to provide ventilation, so birds can still breathe.
Because it is rot resistant, it can withstand constant exposure to rain and sunshine.
You may use chicken mesh or wire with netting to cover other at-risk areas, such as under a deck or shed.
Examine the location of the nest.
Look for nests in your attic, crawlspace, or other hard-to-access areas. The best way to remove a nest is to take a break and take a walk, then come back with a large, thick rope or a tree climber’s pole and remove it.
Remove the eggs and young purple martins, and place them in a box or plastic container until they’re old enough to be released back into the wild. You don’t need to save lots of birds or damage their habitat.
Please take note of the location where it nested after removing it, because purple martins will reuse that location for their nest if they return to build another.
Do not disrupt their daily routine. Never feed or approach the birds that could potentially contain chicks. Feeding only causes the parents to spend more time away from the nest and leaves them less time to take care of their young.
Also Read: Birds That Look Like Cardinals
Conclusion
Even though purple martins are considered one of the most common backyard birds, it’s not a good idea to let them get too close to your home or any other permanent structure.
Purple martins are territorial in nature, but they don’t require a lot of space to build their nests.
Purple martins are beneficial birds because their presence provokes other bird populations to breed and feed their young.
In addition, a purple martin’s nest is near your doorstep or back porch and posed a security risk.
As purple martins love to explore and will often explore areas such as backyards, it’s usually not essential to disturb them.
In some rare cases, people kill purple martins while breeding if they don’t release their eggs on the premises.
