How to Make Purple Martin Houses: This is such a fun activity for the kids - and adults!! It's wonderful to see the beautiful Purple Martins flying to the refuge of their gourd houses! They will keep the insects at bay!! They are certainly worth making! 1. Harvest a hardshell gourd when the vine has withered. You can also buy them from some farmers - very inexpensive. 2. Clean them with a little bleach and water and allow to dry for a few months. Clean again with a little bleach and water and al

Spring is the best time of the year to hang purple martin houses! Did you know? 🐦Purple martins winter in South America and come to nest in North America. They arrive at varying times starting as early as January. However, arrival is usually in late February or early March. The first arrivals are males. 🐦Using gourds is a common practice in Mississippi. Martin houses can also be made of wood, metal or plastic and placed on poles 15 to 20 feet above the ground. Color of the house makes little d