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Homemade Martin Houses

Martins are a type of swallow that live throughout the United States during summer months. Purple Martins are distinguished from other swallows by their large size and dark belly. East of the Rocky Mountains, purple martins nest exclusively in human-supplied housing. Placement and size of this housing is crucial in encouraging martins to nest.

Location
- Martins need aerial space for feeding. They catch insects while in flight rather than landing. Place a martin house at least 40 feet from housing or tall trees. Keep tall bushes, trees or vines away from the pole. If the yard has too many trees to place the house in an open area, place it higher than the trees. If a body of water is available, mount the house near the water, on a dock if possible. Once a proper site has been located, determine what type of martin house will fit best.
Types
- Specific plans for building Martin houses are available online or in books. Many plans available have incorrect dimensions, so corrections may need to be made before building the house. The house itself should be at least 6 inches by 6 inches and 5 inches tall, but a width of 7 inches, length of 12 inches and height of 7 inches are better. Build the entrance holes 1 inch above the floor. Holes should have a circumference of 2 1/8 inches. Use a plan that is designed for a pole that can be raised and lowered vertically. The ability to raise and lower the house will make cleaning it and monitoring nestlings easier when necessary. Equip the pole with a pole guard to discourage predators such as squirrels and snakes from stealing the eggs or the nestlings. One predation will cause the surviving birds to abandon the site. Martin houses should be painted white or another light color. White seems to attract Martins the most.
Timing
- Place your new house in early June and monitor closely. Sparrows or starlings may claim the new site and defend it against martins. Check the new house daily and remove any nests not made by martins. If native birds try to build nests before martins have arrived, close up the house and provide alternative housing for those birds. Once the native birds have built their own nests, open up the martin house again. Leave the house open until late August, as martins may search for housing for the following year as they migrate south. Martin houses should be stored inside or closed up for the winter to prevent squirrels or other small animals from using them and preventing martins from choosing the site in the spring.

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