Gourd Birdhouse

Gourd birdhouse

Gourds make fine homes for several varieties of cavity nesters. Some birds you could attract include bluebirds, swallows, chickadees, wrens, woodpeckers, great crested flycatchers, titmice, screech owls, kestrels and nuthatches.

How do you prepare a gourd for a birdhouse?

How to Turn a Gourd into a Birdhouse Directions

Use pumpkin carving tool and cut a circle into belly of gourd.
Lightly sand outside of gourd with 220-grit sandpaper. ...
Drill horizontally through top of gourd, using a bit the same size as wooden dowel. ...
Draw design onto gourd with pencil, and trace with paint pen.

Do gourds make good bird houses?

They make excellent bird nesting homes. Native North Americans were the first to craft gourds into birdhouses to attract wild birds. Gourd birdhouses are so loved by wild birds.

How long do gourd bird houses last?

Gourd birdhouses will last 5-10 years without any care (This does not include the dye or paint). The dye and paint will be long gone before the gourd wears out unless you repaint or dye it in between. Put birdhouses outside only for the nesting season.

How do I attract birds to my gourd birdhouse?

Most birdhouses you see have a round hole for a doorway I use hole saws like these to make them.

Where do you drill the hole in a gourd birdhouse?

Using your 5/16 of an inch drill bit drill several drainage holes in the bottom of the gourd. Using

How many birdhouse gourds do you get from one plant?

One vine can produce 12 gourds. Foliage: Large, medium green leaves line the vines. These can obscure the fruits, so look carefully. Habit: Birdhouse gourd is an annual vine that can grow up to 30 feet.

How do you keep birdhouse gourds from rotting?

Wipe the gourds dry and spray lightly with a household disinfectant or mist with rubbing alcohol. Space the prepared gourds on a few layers of newspaper in a dark, warm, dry area (such as an attic) with good ventilation. Replace the damp newspaper every few days, turning the gourds when you do.

Will frost hurt birdhouse gourds?

Gourds are ready to harvest when the stem turns brown and the outer shell turns hard. Mature gourds will not be effected by frosts. Hard freezes may cause discoloration and will damage the seeds.

Can gourds survive frost?

A light frost usually will not damage the gourds. A harder frost will leave like a 'bruise' mark on them, usually a permanent mark on the shell of the gourd. Frosts may bruise them, but, if left out in a Midwest Winter, may be very beneficial. The freezing winter weather will help make the shell very durable.

How long does it take for a gourd to dry out?

Approximately one to two weeks will be required for the outer skin to dry and harden. Internal drying will take several additional weeks. The gourds have been adequately dried when the seeds rattle inside.

Do birdhouse gourds need drainage holes?

A few small holes will need to be drilled on the under side of the gourd for drainage as well as two holes on either side at the very top of the neck. Those last two holes will be for threading a cord or wire through so that you can hang the birdhouses outside.

Should you empty a birdhouse every year?

NestWatch suggests cleaning out nest boxes or birdhouses at the end of the breeding season. This isn't absolutely necessary; often birds will clean it out themselves, but you can lend them a helping hand. For nests that aren't in nest boxes (such as in trees or bushes), there's no need to do any cleanup.

Should you clean out bird houses every spring?

Upkeep of your bird house is a very important step in attracting birds, and to helping maintain bird health. Old nests can contain bacteria and mites. If you don't clean out your bird house before each nesting season, there's a chance that disease could spread to the birds who visit or inhabit the house afterwards.

What month do you clean out bird houses?

Bird houses should be thoroughly cleaned after the nesting season ends and the last young birds have left the nest. Depending on the types of birds that have used the house, it may be ready for cleaning as early as late summer. Mid to late fall is the ideal time to be sure all bird houses are cleaned.

Where is the best place to hang a gourd birdhouse?

Hang your gourd birdhouse outdoors in early spring before the birds arrive. Attach it to a post or tree with plenty of space between houses. Position the house with the opening away from prevailing winds.

Do purple martins prefer gourds or houses?

Since gourds are their preferred housing, here are a few tips to make them into martin houses. The following will be required to complete the project: Obviously, you'll need some gourds. Make sure they're nice and big, at least 9 inches in diameter and as thick walled as you can get.

Should I soak birdhouse gourd seeds?

Gourd seeds have hard seedcoats. To hasten germination, soak gourd seeds in water overnight or up to 24 hours. Gourd seeds can also be nicked along their edge with a file or other device.

How do you finish the inside of a gourd?

You just take a baby wipe and wipe it right off this gourd was not sealed on the outside at all.

Should a birdhouse have holes in the bottom?

Drill four, 1/4-inch holes in the floor to provide drainage if water seeps in. The sides of a nest box should extend down beyond the floor so water won't leak in. Provide ventilation. Drill small holes (1/8 to 1/4-inch diameter) through each side of the birdhouse just below the roof.