Then, the landlords advocate using a good, scope-equipped pellet gun. From the time the first martin egg is laid, the life or potential life of a baby martin is in danger every time a sparrow lands on your house. For starling problems, the best solution is to use the McEwen, starling-resistant openings. If sparrows or starlings do get started, remove their nests and trap or shoot the offenders as soon as possible. Protect your martins from owls, squirrels, snakes and other predators.
Diatomaceous earth is an effective method of controlling nest parasites.
I would not recommend the use of any pesticides. Because of a bird's ability to absorb and store the pesticides in their bodies, it endangers their lives after they leave the nest. You can save the martins a lot of energy by providing a handy supply of pine straw, sticks and mud. Every year a large number of healthy adults are killed by cars when they attempt to get nesting material in or near streets and roads. And, many are caught by predators when they gather nesting material from the ground.