Martin Houses
#6547454
06/01/19 06:48 AM
06/01/19 06:48 AM
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Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 405 Michigan
BullOx
OP
trapper
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OP
trapper
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 405
Michigan
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Has anyone who's set up Martin houses actually noticed a decline in the mosquitos? Thinking of setting one up where we launch our boat because they're awful there
Trapping is easy you say? You try getting your target animal to step in a 3 inch area of its whole territory.
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Re: Martin Houses
[Re: BullOx]
#6547641
06/01/19 01:01 PM
06/01/19 01:01 PM
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 28,715 Eastern Shore of Maryland
HobbieTrapper
"Chippendale Trapper"
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"Chippendale Trapper"
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 28,715
Eastern Shore of Maryland
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I have both martins and dragonflies. We also have a healthy population of deer flies and mosquitoes. Before the Martins the dragonflies couldn't keep up. Dragonflies seem to prefer the deer flies over mosquitoes.
The Martins showed up last year and again this year. 2 years now we have been able to enjoy our outdoor space even in the evening.
I think I have video somewhere.
-Goofy-
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Re: Martin Houses
[Re: BullOx]
#6555362
06/14/19 07:53 AM
06/14/19 07:53 AM
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Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 3,002 Ohio
OhioBoy
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 3,002
Ohio
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https://www.thespruce.com/fun-facts-about-purple-martins-387110Purple martins do most of their feeding between 160-500 feet high (50-150 meters). Because of this height, mosquitoes make up only a small portion of their diet, despite rumors that the birds can eat up to 2,000 mosquitoes per day. They could consume that many, but mosquitoes are not generally found at a purple martin's feeding height in such large numbers. http://www.mosquitoreviews.com/purple-martins-bats.htmlPurple martins have gained a reputation as natural mosquito predators, and they do eat adult mosquitoes, but they eat most other kinds of flying bugs, too. No research has shown that mosquitoes are more than 3 percent of their diet, according to an article in Missouri Conservationist magazine. [1] The results seem logical, since martins catch insects during the day while flying high in the sky, but mosquitoes usually fly close to the ground looking for prey to bite, and are most active after dark. Claims that these birds can eat 2000 mosquitoes a day are based on a hypothetical diet eating nothing but mosquitoes--something that no purple martin actually does. http://www.wbrcouncil.org/Departments/Mosquito-Abatement/Natural-Mosquito-KillersThe purple martin is an excellent example of a natural mosquito predator who's mosquito controlling ability has often been grossly exaggerated. Yes, they will and do eat mosquitoes but nowhere near the amount that would be needed to consider them effective at controlling mosquito populations.
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Re: Martin Houses
[Re: BullOx]
#6555371
06/14/19 08:07 AM
06/14/19 08:07 AM
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 28,715 Eastern Shore of Maryland
HobbieTrapper
"Chippendale Trapper"
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"Chippendale Trapper"
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 28,715
Eastern Shore of Maryland
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That is interesting since what I'm seeing is them feeding 30' and below.
Early morning and late evening/dusk.
Last edited by HobbieTrapper; 06/14/19 08:09 AM.
-Goofy-
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Re: Martin Houses
[Re: HobbieTrapper]
#6555372
06/14/19 08:11 AM
06/14/19 08:11 AM
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,689 S.E. Ohio
M.Magis
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,689
S.E. Ohio
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That is interesting since what I'm seeing is them feeding 30' and below.
Early morning and late evening/dusk. No one ever said they don't. But that's not where they spend the majority of their time feeding.
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Re: Martin Houses
[Re: BullOx]
#6555470
06/14/19 10:12 AM
06/14/19 10:12 AM
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 28,715 Eastern Shore of Maryland
HobbieTrapper
"Chippendale Trapper"
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"Chippendale Trapper"
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 28,715
Eastern Shore of Maryland
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I've been there 13 years and things have been unchanged, including the swamp 100yds away except for the birds the last 2 years, so we'll just have to disagree.
Last edited by HobbieTrapper; 06/14/19 10:17 AM.
-Goofy-
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