Caged Van Ert Sparrow Trap - Convenient For Larger Bluebird Nest Boxes

The caged Van Ert sparrow trap is a small cage-like device that fits inside a nest box. Inside the cage is a Van Ert trap that you can set when you're ready to trap a house sparrow.

While standard Van Ert traps work really well in standard nest boxes, the caged trap solves two main challenges when trapping in larger bluebird nest boxes:

1. A house sparrow tends to hop over the Van Ert trap's trigger when entering the nest box, and therefore evading the trap.
2. You don't have to fuss with trying to fit a mesh bag over your larger nest box.

Another benefit is that it enables you to be more discreet about trapping, especially if you're in a more residential area or manage a public trail.

**Be sure to scroll down to specifications and considerations to make sure this product is right for your nest box.

Benefits

• House sparrows can't easily hop over the Van Ert trigger in a larger box.
• It fits easily into your mesh bag for dispatch.
• You can handle your house sparrows discreetly.
• You don't have to screw more holes in your box in order to place a standard Van Ert trap.
• Cleaning this is easy and fast.
• It comes with a legitimate Van Ert trap and 1 1/4 inch hole reducer.

Product Specifications

Height: 7.5 Inches

Width: 3.25

Depth: 4 Inches

Drop: (entry hole to bottom) 5 inches

Hole Size: 2 x 2 inches (larger to accommodate your box's settings).

Appropriate for:  2- hole mansions (with one hole blocked), larger nest boxes, custom nest boxes with overhangs.

Trap house sparrows easily in larger bluebird boxes

Open the bottom of the cage trap to set the Van Ert trap. Close it, and place it inside your nest box. If your drop (hole to floor) is a little taller, rest it on a nest lift or some pine needles, and you're all set.

Because it is 3.25 inches wide and has a depth of only 4 inches, house sparrows can't hop over the Van Ert trap's trigger. Once they go in to investigate the nest box, SNAP!  you've caught your house sparrow.

Convenient bagging

By using the caged-Van Ert trap, you no longer have to shimmy and squeeze the mesh bag around your larger box, shredding it in the process. Instead, just open up your nest box, and pull the cage out with your house sparrow inside.

***Make sure to support the bottom of the caged trap. The bottom access hatch of the caged trap clicks shut pretty good if you press hard enough. Sometimes you'll need to squeeze the metal a bit tighter. But to be safe and prevent potential escapes, always put a hand under the bottom of the caged trap to prevent it from accidentally opening.

Discreet trapping (no alarming nosey neighbors)

One dilemma when trapping house sparrows is inquisitive neighbors. It always helps to be discreet, not because we don't want to be transparent, but because this is tough work and it can make people sad.

With the caged-Van Ert trap, you can discreetly open the box, and quickly place the caged trap in an old grocery bag. Your neighbors will just assume you're cleaning out old debris. They don't have to see much of anything.

Comes with a 1 1/4 inch hole reducer

So that you don't accidentally trap bluebirds, this kit comes with a 1 1/4 inch wooden hole reducer that you can temporarily screw on to your nest box for trapping.  Keep in mind, this will not prevent accidentally trapping chickadees, house wrens or titmice.

You can also use the wooden block as a lift if your drop (hole to floor) is a bit taller than this caged trap.

Easy to clean

Because this style of caged-Van Ert trap is all metal, cleaning is easy. You can hose it off after initial use, or soak and sanitize in a cleaning solution. There is no worry about wet wood, or taking the time to let things dry.

Use considerations

• Measure your nest box's interior to make sure this device will fit. If you have a taller drop, you can use grass cuttings, pine, straw or other material to raise this device.
• The bottom access should clench shut. But you may have to bend the metal just a bit to get it right.
• Always support the bottom access when you have a house sparrow to prevent accidental escapes.
• Always practice safe trapping techniques. Do not place a set trap into a nest box unless you see a house sparrow entering the box. Do not leave your trap active and unattended. Trapping requires constant monitoring. Always deactivate your trap when you are not able to monitor your trap. Monitor at least every half hour.
• Release native birds immediately.
• You can still disguise the trap with pine needles, straw , feathers and other material, just as you would regular nest box trapping.
• Depending on how tall your drop from the entry hole to the floor of your nest box, you may need to place material in the nest box to act as a riser. We have used pine needles, grass and straw. We have also used a small block of wood.
• Given the dimensions, you may need to temporarily remove your mounted Blink camera, or angle it differently to accommodate the caged trap.
• This trap is not appropriate for certain specialty nest boxes like Peterson nest boxes and Gilbertson nest boxes.