If you are an existing Purple Martin landlord, now is the time to have your houses ready for their return. Here are things you can do:

• Clean out old nesting material.
• Disinfect each compartment with a 9 part water to 1 part bleach solution.
• Put fresh wood shavings (not cedar) on the floor of each compartment.
• Keep House Sparrows and European Starlings from building nests in the house.

If you are a first-time Purple Martin landlord, expect the birds that will establish a new colony to come in March or April.

• Have a New martin house up by March 1.
• Keep House Sparrows and European Starlings from nesting in the house.
• Put fresh wood shavings (not cedar) on the floor of each compartment.
• Be patient. You may not get Purple Martins to accept your house in the first year. You can help Purple Martins find your housing more quickly by using decoys and by playing the Purple Martin Dawnsong CD.

Purple Martins are a joy to have in your yard. They will come back year after year. Come in and let the experts at Wild Birds Unlimited help you attract these beautiful birds to your yard!