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With well wishes for your own fabulous flowers,

4. Overall Height Of House The distance from bottom of entrance hole to floor of box should be at least 5 inches. This keeps developing young well down in box and away from predators that might approach entrance hole.

5. Easy Access For Cleaning You must be able to open box, either on side, front, or top. This helps in two ways: to monitor progress and health of young; and to clean out box at end of season.

6. Ventilation There must be holes or slits at top of box sides or along top of front of box to let hot air out when sun beats down on box in summer.

7. Drain Holes The bottom of box needs to have holes or cut off corners to allow any water to drain out of box.

8. Mounting Check to see if there is some way that you can attach box to a pole, such as holes or a bracket.

9. Wood Material Of Choice Be sure that materials box is made of are 3/4 inch thick wood or a similar material that will insulate birds from cold and heat. The only exception to wood is Purple Martin Housing -- many are made out of Metal.

10. Roof Overhang The roof should overhang entrance hole by 1 to 2 inches. This both shades entrance hole and keeps rain out.

Courtesy: Cedar Creek Woodshop