assuming the entry holes are round, many hardware stores sell black rubber
plugs in various diameters. you may be able to buy rubber plugs & just
stick them in for the winter.

Chris Kessler
no longer in Seattle

On Fri, Mar 23, 2012 at 11:16 AM, Mechejmch <mechejmch at aol.com> wrote:

> I screw a small piece of 1/4" plywood over the hole after the nesting
> season, and remove it when I see the birds return in spring. It's all about
> timing, and it usually works.
>
> Joe Meche
> Bellingham
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: judy mullally <judyemull at yahoo.com>
> To: tweeters <tweeters at u.washington.edu>
> Sent: Fri, Mar 23, 2012 7:24 am
> Subject: [Tweeters] Ideas needed re nest boxes
>
> This year in an unusual twist, my first swallow was a Violet green-
> before the Trees have always arrived about a week earlier. In anticipation,
> I had offered to clear out my neighbor's nest boxes. He always gets several
> pairs of each nesting. But last year several of the nests failed due to
> invasion of hornets and or yellow jackets. I found abandoned chicks,
> unhatched eggs, and even a dead adult in the various boxes. Last summer I
> had noticed the hornet and tried to eliminate their nests, but this spring
> discovered active nests in two already. Fortunately the day was cool
> enough I was able to destroy them without getting stung.
>
> Any suggestions how I can keep the hornets from re-establishing nests in
> the boxes this year? The top slat/roof of each house is removable, but I
> was afraid using any insect repellant spray to deter them for fear of
> discouraging or potentially harming the swallows. I thought about painting
> the underside of the roof with a glossy paint so the wasps/hornets couldn't
> easily attach their nests, but had the same concerns. Has anyone else
> dealt with this problem ( hopefully successfully!)
>
> Judy Mullally- Port Angeeles WA judyemullatyahoodotcom
>
> _______________________________________________
> Tweeters mailing listTweeters at u.washington.eduhttp://mailman1.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Tweeters mailing list
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>
>


--
"moderation in everything, including moderation"
Rustin Thompson
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