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

[dave-mueller at comcast.net]

GOOD IDEA
 -------------- Original message ----------------------
From: "Hegeman, Janine A CTR USA IMCOM" <Janine.Hegeman at us.army.mil>
> 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
> 
> 
> 
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> Classification:  UNCLASSIFIED 
> Caveats: NONE
> 
> 
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