Managing housemartins

[Kit]

We had a housemartin nest for about 6 years. We also got their swift lice and martin bugs in the house (which launched a full-scale fumigation when they were mistaken for bedbugs.) The nest then fell off during building work last year, but this year the birds are back. Much as I like housemartins, I don't like their lodgers! What's the best way to manage them? Do the parasites over-winter in the nest, in which case it might be worth knocking the nest down every year or two, or can they only survive actually on the birds, in which case we're stuck with them? It's not possible to seal up the house - the nest is right above the bedroom, and the critters fall in through the window.

[SteveD]

You could perhaps also try posting your question on the Garden Birds Forum here: http://www.abcissa.force9.co.uk/birds/

[New Forester]

I know what this is like -- I once had an office below a swift nest. They had ked-type flies (Hippobosca hirundo), which I think stay on the bird most of the time. Knocking off nests may not discourage nesting. How about netting the eaves, as done for pigeon ledges? Very small mesh, to avoid entrapment. Or fine threads, twigs or whatever, as for pigeons on cabbages -- martins like a clear approach. All done out of season, as in UK harm to active nests is illegal. You could then use dummy nests to attract them to a better site (eg quarter-coconuts) -- they build next to the dummies, feeling they are part of a colony. Richard

[berty2001]

My friend (aged 24) had house martin in his stairwell and called the RSPB officer to come and get it for him. she had to go from AAberdeen to dundee to do so (a bout an hours jounrney, so two hours all togther). she wasn't pleased.

[Kit]

Thanks, SteveD - I'll give it a go! I'm not exactly trying to discourage nesting, New Forester, I rather like having them there - but I'm trying to find a way to avoid their little chums. The swift lice were harmless, as they only bite birds, but the martin bugs bite humans as well. I have since done a bit more research and have found a recommendation to sprinkle pyrethrum around (but not in) the nest - unfortunately it's a bit inaccessible, being at the apex of the eaves and above a 4-foot extension with a pitched roof, and I don't fancy abseiling. Maybe not.