Durable:
SuperGourds are blow-molded in white (sun-reflecting), opaque,
high-density polyethylene plastic. They won't rot, peel, split, or crack
out in the elements, and won't break if accidentally dropped like
natural gourds can. Because they are molded with ultraviolet inhibitors
added to the plastic, they have a long life expectancy with virtually no
maintenance other than giving a quick scrub at the end of the season.
Easy to Hang:
SuperGourds can easily be hung underneath an existing martin house,
from a gourd rack, or strung on a line between two poles. One set of
1/4" hanging holes (side-to-side) are pre-drilled and will accept a
hanging wire; a set of front-to-back holes can easily be drilled by the
purchaser if so desired. When hanging on any of the gourd racks we
offer, the customer will need to enlarge the hanging-holes using a
13/32" drill bit.
Designed to Benefit Purple Martins:
Landlords that use gourds know that they are highly attractive to
martins (but are the least attractive of all martin housing to House
Sparrows or starlings), reduce the risk of owl predation, have high
occupancy rates, plus reduce the incidence of fallouts and premature
fledging. Now, busy landlords can offer their martins all the advantages
of properly-prepared gourds, without investing the time and effort
required to grow natural gourds, then add access doors and canopies, or
repaint them every year or so.
Landlord Friendly: A
landlord only needs hanging wire if not using any of our gourd racks.
SuperGourds are low-to-no maintenance martin housing; no sanding or
painting, and nothing to add except stick-on numbers. Everything a
person needs to be a better landlord is already there. Balance the cost
of a SuperGourd against the years of low-maintenance use you'll get and
the advantages for the martins. Then compare the occupancy rate and cost
to other types of housing that have, at best, 50% occupancy, or that
require annual repainting.
Assembly of Porches:
Landlords will need to attach the porches on to the SuperGourd.
Templates as well as instructions on how to do this are included.
Easy Parasite Control:
Nest parasites can decrease nesting success in Purple Martins by 50%.
In a SuperGourd, any parasite problem can be remedied simply and safely
with a nest replacement. The access port and smooth interior make this
easy. The access port also makes it easy to regularly add Diatomaceous
Earth, further lowering parasite numbers. SuperGourds have no seams,
joints, or crevices in which parasites can hide, breed, or overwinter.
No other type of martin housing can claim this advantage.
The Crescent-holed SuperGourd with porch is available in many price saving quantities.