[Bluebird-babble] Blowfly evidence in bluebird boxes (UNCLASSIFIED)

[Hegeman, Janine A CTR USA IMCOM]

Classification:  UNCLASSIFIED 
Caveats: NONE

Rather than pine needles (which I believe the larvae can slither through
and reach the hatchlings) try putting a small platform of 1/2 mesh wire
under the nest. Make so that the mesh platform is about an inch off the
floor of the nest box. This will provide airspace between the larvae and
the nest and make it impossible for the things to crawl up and attack
the hatchlings.

Janine Hegeman

-----Original Message-----
From: bluebird-babble-bounces at denveraudubon.org
[mailto:bluebird-babble-bounces at denveraudubon.org] On Behalf Of
KathyDressel at aol.com
Sent: Friday, July 18, 2008 10:40 AM
To: Bluebird-babble at denveraudubon.org
Subject: [Bluebird-babble] Blowfly evidence in bluebird boxes


I have cleaned out quite a few bluebird nestboxes on the Winkler Ranch
and at Castlewood Canyon State Park.  I have noticed alot of blowfly
pupae in the bottom of  at least 90% of those nests.  This is the first
year that I have noticed such a huge presence of  this insect.  I also
noticed them in the bottom of two of the nests I removed from boxes on
my trail in Franktown (Deerfield).
I know that this was a good year for insects (weather-wise) in our area.
I was wondering if anyone else has noticed the presence of blowfly
larvae or pupae.  There have been several boxes in which I found dead
nestlings.  I think that now I know the cause of their deaths.  I never
did see larvae on any of the young, but the boxes are dark and I do not
remove the nestlings to really examine them.
If the weather repeats itself next year, I am thinking of doing
preventative maintenance on my three trails.  I will wait until the
nests have been built  and eggs have been laid, and then I will place a
sprig of pine needles in the bottom of the boxes by gently raising the
nest with a putty knife.
Has anyone else noticed this?  Any ideas?

Thanks,
Kathy Dressel



**************
Get fantasy football with free live scoring. Sign up for FanHouse
Fantasy Football today.
(http://www.fanhouse.com/fantasyaffair?ncid=aolspr00050000000020)
Classification:  UNCLASSIFIED 
Caveats: NONE