Opening the House

• In springtime, the first purple martins arrive on the scene but not to nest. These "scouts" are most likely passing through the area on their way to last year's nesting site. Approximately four weeks after the scouts fly through is a good time to open your purple martin house. Opening the house too early encourages nesting by undesirable birds.
  
  Ensure that the housing compartments are clean and that the attached roosts are secure. Check the roof for holes that may leak and make repairs.
  
  During the house-opening process, make sure the telescoping pole is in good working order, allowing you to lower the house easily to evict unwanted birds. Starlings like to nest in purple martin houses, but if allowed to do so, it is unlikely that any purple martins will nest there. Check daily for evidence that other birds are entering the house and promptly tear out their nests. This may become a daily routine until the purple martins arrive.
  
  

Mid-season Maintenance

• After your purple martins are happily nested, there is little to do except maintain control of predators. The quickest way to deter their enemies is to install a pole-guard and inspect it regularly for warping or cracks that might allow a squirrel or snake to reach the eggs or the tiny nestlings above.
  
  

Closing the House

• The Purple Martin Conservation Association (PMCA) suggests waiting until mid-August to close your house. Although your purple martins will likely be gone by then, this year's batch of new martins may still be in the area, scouting out potential locations for next season's nesting period.
  
  Lower the house before fall and clean out the old nests. Make repairs, if needed or repaint. While most purple martin houses are white, you may repaint them with a light pastel color. Avoid dark colors that absorb the sunshine and increase the temperature inside the house.
  
  Cover and store your purple martin house over the winter, either tightly tarped on the lowered pole or inside a garage or storage shed.