winged rats

Sparrows aren't attracted to black oil sunflower seed? Hah! There are hordes of them sitting in the bushes by the house checking out the bird feeders. Soon as I load them up with black oil and niger seeds, those feathered fiends will be swarming the porch. They've even been able to get the suet out of the feeders. They chase off the titmice, gold finches, etc.

They roost in the barn for shelter, and are glad for all the food set out. What a life. Food, water, shelter, and fun (peeling the insulation off the ceiling). Years ago I tried one of those balloon things with the big eyes. That caused a momentary lull, but after that, they ignored it. Getting up into the rafters to set out nixalite stuff is too scarey. I need to hire someone to climb up there just to change light bulbs. So, rainy/snowy day project will be to make Ed's trap!

Thanks, LQ. I'll look into the better seeds to attract the good birds, but, like Ma Kettle, I have seen those *&^%$#@! blighter sparrows go after just about anything that's out, so I'll also do my part to eradicate what I can, when I can.

Pony!

LOL!! That gives me an idea... Take the dead sparrow and put its head on a little sparrow pike, as a warning to the other sparrows to take heed lest they meet a similar fate!

Yes, it's rather medieval, but it could work...

Pony!

Nixalite is very expensive, and not the most effective control for small birds. It can only be used in certain architectural applications. In other words, the sparrows can get into small openings where Nixalite cannot be easily utilized. There are cheaper products using the same concept, but with the same limitations.