How to Help the Tree Swallows Flourish

Tree swallows live primarily in the northern part of the United States, but they can be seen sporadically throughout the central region as well. Since tree swallows eat insects they are a natural pesticide. They prefer open areas near lakes to wooded areas for the abundance of insects and the scarcity of predators. If you provide a tree swallow with food and shelter, you help them flourish.

Things You'll Need

  • 1/2-inch plywood sheet
  • Table saw
  • Hammer
  • Wood nails
  • Power drill
  • 1/2-inch drill bit
  • 2-inch drill bit
  • Dried grass
  • Crickets
  • Seed
  • Berries
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Instructions

  1. Build a Shelter

    • 1

      Construct a nesting box. Use a table saw and cut one 12-by-6-inch plywood piece for the back. Cut two 8-by-6-inch pieces for the front and roof. Cut one 7-by-6-inch piece, for the floor. Cut two 9-by-6-inch pieces for the sides. Cut the two side pieces at an angle to allow rain water to run off the roof.

    • 2

      Drill a 2-inch hole in the front piece toward the top. The hole provides an entrance small enough so other birds don't compete for the nesting box.

    • 3

      Place the front piece vertically on a level surface. Place the side pieces vertically on the left and right side edges. Nail the front piece into the front edges of the side pieces with a hammer. Place the front piece horizontally on a level surface. Place the back piece on the back edges of the side pieces. Nail the back piece into the back edges of the side pieces with a hammer. The structure makes the walls of the shelter.

    • 4

      Place the roof on top of the wall edges. The back of the roof should make contact with the back piece. The front of the roof slightly overhangs the front of the shelter. Nail through the roof into the top edges of the walls.

    • 5

      Drill four 1/2-inch holes into the floor, using a power drill and 1/2-inch drill bit. The holes are used for drainage. Place the floor on the bottom of the wall edges. The back of the floor should make contact with the back piece. Nail through the floor into the bottom edges of the walls.

    • 6

      Drill two 1/2-inch holes in each side piece toward the top, using a power drill and 1/2-inch drill bit. The holes provide air circulation.

    • 7

      Place two 2-inch nails on the top and bottom of the back piece. Nail the back piece into a tree or wood post.

    • 8

      Insert dried grass into the nest box for the tree swallows to create their own nests.