How to layout Wire Mesh Sparrow Trap
How to layout Wire Mesh Sparrow Trap
The trap forms a funnel that sparrows will enter through but not be able to easily exit. Placed in an area frequented by non-native sparrows and baited with bird feed, these legal traps can help to control non-native sparrow populations. House sparrows and crested sparrows are invasive species that aggressively compete with native species of birds. They create messy nests under the eaves of homes and other structures. They also attack native bird species, often killing them and destroying their eggs to take over their nest sites. One method of handling these destructive birds is to use a wire mesh trap.
A
Form the 3-foot-by-10-foot length of wire mesh along its length into a large cylinder to form a cage for the trap.
B
Bend the last 6 inches of each 3-foot edge of the wire mesh inward to form a narrowing entrance in the trap about 2 inches wide.
C
Place one of the square wire mesh sections on top of the circular mesh. Fasten the entire edge of the circular mesh to the square wire mesh section with zip ties.
D
Trim away the excess wire from the square wire mesh section with the wire cutters. Bend any loose wires inward with the pliers.
E
Cut an 8-inch square out of the center of the remaining 3-foot square wire mesh section with the wire cutters. Trim any loose wires from the edges of the hole and from the edges of the 9-inch square mesh section. Attach one edge of the 9-inch square along one edge of the 8-inch hole with zip ties to form a door. Wire the door shut with wire mesh twist ties.
F
Turn the trap over. Place the 3-foot square mesh section on top of the trap with the door facing up. Connect and trim the square mesh section in the same manner as you did with the other section in steps 3 and 4. The final product will be a 3-foot tall cylindrical cage with a flat top and bottom and a narrow entrance that curves inward on one side of the cage.
G
Place the trap in an area where sparrows frequent, and near bushes, a tree line or other cover. Position the trap with the 2-inch wide entrance in the side of the trap facing toward the bushes or other cover, and with the small door on the top. Place grain, bird feed or other bait on the ground in the center of the trap. Sparrows will enter through the narrow 2-inch entrance on the side of the trap. The turned-in edges of the trap make it difficult for the birds to escape. Remove any trapped birds through the small door.
