Tag Archive for: innovative bluebird house

New Bluebird House Resists Blackflies

The bright interior is great for Bluebirds and repels House Sparrows and Blackflies

The bright interior is great for Bluebirds and repels Blackflies and House Sparrows

One of the most insidious invaders of bluebird nests is the blackfly, also known as the buffalo gnat. These bloodsucking insects prey upon any warm blooded host they can find, including birds and mammals (and humans). Almost 1800 species exist in the family Simuliidae; some are actually black, others can be gray, green, or tan. But the species hardly matters when it comes to failed bluebird nests.

Blackflies can swarm in huge numbers, and the resulting blood loss to young birds can easily be fatal. Blackflies can be the most prevalent cause of failed bluebird clutches, especially in the Midwest. However, outbreaks can occur as far south as the Gulf States. Fortunately, our new design for a bluebird house is the first on the market to address the issue of blackflies.

Blackfly Biology

Our white plastic bluebird houses are loved by bluebirds

Our white plastic bluebird houses are loved by bluebirds

The blackfly earns the name “buffalo gnat” due to its humped back that calls to mind the shape of the buffalo. Both the male and female feed on plant nectar, but it is the females that must have blood meals to produce eggs. These flying insects appear in late spring and early summer when bluebird chicks are at their most vulnerable. Blackflies locate their prey just as mosquitos do–through detecting carbon dioxide exhaled from warm blooded animals. They follow these trails of carbon dioxide directly to their host, use cutting mandibles to open up skin, and then gorge on the blood flow. Their bites are painful and irritating, and often become infected, if not fatal.

The Blackfly Resistant Bluebird House

When we set out to design a cutting-edge bluebird house, we took our time to study the various needs of both bluebirds and bluebird enthusiasts . We were aware that bluebirds suffer from having their homes absconded by house sparrows and that certain parasites, blackflies in particular, caused widespread nest failure. Since various research studies had revealed that house sparrows shunned well-lit nest boxes and that blackflies were attracted to dark colors, our design formed itself beautifully: a bright white plastic nest box that not only shunned house sparrows and blackflies, but resisted the absorption of solar energy and therefore remained cool in full sun.

Vent Plugs to Keep Blackflies Out

Bluebird On A StumpTo further reduce attracting blackflies, we also included plastic inserts to plug all of the vent holes to eliminate the exhalation of carbon dioxide into the air around the nest boxes. These plugs also can be used in all or in part when spring temperatures may make the nest box too cool. Other features of the Bluebird House include a robust rain guard over the entrance hole, entrance hole dimensions that accommodate the Eastern, Western, and Mountain Bluebirds, an interior ladder, and a molded-in channel in the rear that accepts a half inch diameter pole. All in all, we created what we believe to be the best, most innovative bluebird house on the market.

For more information, visit our Bluebird House page.

White Plastic Bluebird House Proving Very Attractive to Bluebirds But Not to House Sparrows

“I purchased four bluebird houses from you in early spring. After an easy setup on my property, I had renters within two weeks–three out of four nest boxes were occupied with bluebirds throughout the summer, producing multiple clutches. I highly recommend this bluebird house!”  — Tom Sedenka, Lisbon, Iowa

The bright interior is great for Bluebirds and repels House Sparrows

The bright interior is great for Bluebirds and repels House Sparrows

Bluebird enthusiasts are extremely loyal to their favorite bird and are also very discerning about the kind of nest box that they use for attracting these beautiful songbirds. So when we launched our new product line, featuring a heat-resistant, white plastic nest box for bluebirds, many an eyebrow was raised in terms of the white color and the plastic material. As it turns out, the nest box has proven to be a superior home for bluebirds to raise their young. The result is a nest box that will far outlast wooden ones, is extremely lightweight, and features a number of useful innovations.

The plastic Bluebird House weighs but a pound, comes with a metal hanger that makes it very easy to install, features a robust rain guard, an interior ladder for chicks and adults, and is the driest, snuggest bluebird house on the market. It is the only bluebird house that comes with vent plugs to block out blackflies when they become a problem. The rear of the house has a molded-in pole channel to allow a half-inch diameter pipe to slide in. All that is left for installation is to tighten the provided tube strap around the pipe.

Our white plastic bluebird houses are loved by bluebirds

Our white plastic bluebird houses are loved by bluebirds

New Bluebird House Has High Occupancy Rates

Best of all, The Bluebird House has achieved a 75% occupancy rate in field tests. Not only have our customers reported similar results, they have had their bluebirds raise double and even triple clutches successfully.

Bright Interior Repels House Sparrows

One of the most innovative features of the nest box is its white translucence– the bright interior attracts bluebirds but repels sparrows, which have been proven to shun light. This has been achieved by bluebird house enthusiasts in the past through adding skylights to wooden boxes. One plan even called for a roofless, open house. The problem with both solutions is rainwater that wets the inside of the nest and ruins nesting attempts. Our design allows ample lighting of the interior while providing a moisture proof environment.

For more information on the best Bluebird House on the market, go to our Bluebird House page.