wasps in birdhouses

[sargent]

I have about a dozen birdhouses scatterd around my place and every year it seem the wasps take a spot on the ceiling and make a nest (I'm talking about the brown wasps that make those small open/flat nests not the baldface hornets that make the big paper nests) This seems to dicourage the birds from nesting.

I'm thinking about using some of that tanglefoot stuff that people place on trees to prevent catepillars from climbing the tree trunk. I was thinking of spreading a layer over the ceiling of the bird house and when a wasp flew in to start a nest they would get stuck.

Any Ideas or comments?

I'm not against wasps as long as they keep their distance esp. around the house and outbuildings. I've even built small wasp houses near my garden to promote these beneficial insects. I just want to discourage them in the birdhouses.

Thanks

[Hamilton Reef]

Sargent, I put together 40 Peterson bluebird houses last year and have materials for 40 more to build for next year. I've been big into bluebird houses for almost 20 years.

I have also noticed an increase in the number of wasps activity in my bluebird houses. I understand that the specific wasp we are having the most trouble with is actually an exotic invader that is expanding. Last summer was the first time that I had one bluebird nest overtaken by wasps with four eggs lost. I removed the wasp nest and left the box open for a few days to prevent reestablishment of the wasps. The bluebird then came back for a successful renesting of five eggs. My other houses usually have wasp battles before, between nestings, and after the nesting season. I just kill the wasps, clean out the houses, and move on.

If anyone is traveling north or south on the US-31 freeway across the White River, there is three miles between the Whitehall (Colby Street exit) and Montague (Fruitvale Road exit). The White Lake Area Sportfishing Association has the Adopt-A-Highway cleanup for that stretch of freeway. I built the 20 bluebird houses for the WLASA you can see along the freeway.

[Liver and Onions]

Hamilton Reef,
A tip of the hat to anyone who puts in that much time and effort for our feathered friends. I have out 4 bluebird houses. 1 nesting pair for the last 3 years.
L & O

[Hamilton Reef]

L&O, I build a lot of houses because everyone in town wants one. They make great gifts. I use cedar for the sides instead of the lapboard as the plans call for. The houses end up fancy, but they last a long time. Some of the houses I built in 1995 are still in use in the back wildlife areas and newer houses placed in the front. I owe 10 houses for the the new rails-to-trail system through Montague across the White River into Whitehall and the other 30 houses under construction will probaly be used through Whitehall to the new library as the trail system is expanded in 2002. Right now I have to wrap up the ADA Fishing Bridge project across the White River, then I can get back to the bird houses this winter.

I use the pattern found in the Woodworking For Wildlife book printed by the Minnesota DNR. You can get the book through MUCC or your local Conservation District.

I have many tricks and tips for the houses and their placement for best bluebird reproduction and survival. It will take time to get the post on this site, but we have the time before March. I still have bluebirds present that have not gone south yet. I'm watching bluebirds while deer hunting in December with this crazy warm season.

[sargent]

SFK,
I used to be a beekeeper so I saved my headnet for use when its time to go after a nest. I had one about the size of a football under my deck and like you waited till after dark to get em. I really hate to destroy them but when they are that close to your living area they are a threat. If they nest high in a tree I leave them alone.

So this paint is made specifically to repel wasps ? or is it a general teflon paint?

Does anyone think the birds might get stuck in the tanglefoot while entering the house?

Thanks!

HR, I've seen the houses!

[sargent]

SFK,

I'll check it out Thanks!

[o town]

Hamilton Reef,
Good going!
We got into bluebirds a few years ago and I admire anyone who is dedicated to their future.
A friend became obsessed with our place as we have just about anything that flies, crawls or swims here. She decided we had to have bluebirds here and bought a bluebird feeder and we bought a bluebird house. No bluebirds showed up and I settled for wood duck houses as a winter project.
We do have a bird here called the scrub jay. It's unique to FL although there are some colonies in TX. Friendly bird, not as agressive as it's cousin the blue jay. They can be coaxed into taking hand-held food and are very good neighbors.
Don't know what sort of wasps you're dealing with Sarge, but they sound like our paper wasps here that build flat honeycombed nests, and an old indian trick here is to smoke them out with a briquet in a coffee cup underneath the nest. They leave and don't come back because of the smoke smell, but maybe the birds won't like it either as I've never tried it in a birdhouse.

o town