Plans For A Purple Martin House : House Plans

Plans For A Purple Martin House

Purple martins are beautiful and beneficial birds that can help to control insect populations around your home. If you're interested in attracting these birds to your yard, building a purple martin house is a great way to do so. Here are some plans for a simple purple martin house that you can build yourself.

Materials:

1x12 pine boards (8 feet long)
1x4 pine boards (8 feet long)
1/2-inch plywood (4 feet x 8 feet)
1/4-inch hardware cloth (4 feet x 8 feet)
12d nails
8d nails
Wood glue
Paint or stain (optional)

Tools:

Circular saw
Table saw
Drill
Hammer
Nail gun (optional)
Clamps
Measuring tape
Level

Instructions:

Cut the 1x12 pine boards to the following lengths:
- 4 pieces at 48 inches
- 4 pieces at 36 inches
Cut the 1x4 pine boards to the following lengths:
- 4 pieces at 48 inches
- 4 pieces at 38 inches
Cut the 1/2-inch plywood to the following dimensions:
- 1 piece at 48 inches x 36 inches
- 1 piece at 48 inches x 38 inches
Cut the 1/4-inch hardware cloth to the following dimensions:
- 1 piece at 48 inches x 36 inches
- 1 piece at 48 inches x 38 inches
Assemble the front and back walls of the house by nailing the 1x12 pine boards together at the corners. Make sure the boards are flush with each other.
Assemble the side walls of the house by nailing the 1x4 pine boards together at the corners. Make sure the boards are flush with each other.
Attach the front and back walls to the side walls using wood glue and nails. Make sure the walls are square and level.
Attach the plywood floor to the bottom of the house using wood glue and nails. Make sure the floor is flush with the walls.
Attach the plywood roof to the top of the house using wood glue and nails. Make sure the roof is flush with the walls.
Cover the front of the house with the hardware cloth using staples or wire. Make sure the hardware cloth is taut and secure.
Attach a perch to the front of the house using wood glue and nails. The perch should be about 4 inches long and 1 inch wide.
Paint or stain the house as desired.

Your purple martin house is now complete! Hang it in a sunny location, at least 10 feet off the ground, and away from trees and other structures. Purple martins will typically nest in houses that are at least 6 feet tall, so you may want to build a taller house if you live in an area with tall trees.

With a little care and maintenance, your purple martin house will provide years of enjoyment for you and your feathered friends.