How to Put Up Purple Martin Bird Houses

Attach the purple martin bird house to the end of a 4 inch-by-4 inch wooden post by hammering five to six nails through the bottom of the bird house into the top of the post. Choose a post that is between 13 and 25 feet long. Martin houses are best hung between 10 to 20 feet off the ground. The extra length accounts for setting the post in the ground.

Dig a 10-inch diameter hole in the ground that is a minimum of 3 feet deep, using a shovel or post hole digger. The exact depth of the hole depends on the length of the post you use. The hole should be at least 3 feet deep for a 10 foot height and 5 feet for a 20 foot height. Make the hole at least a quarter of the total length of the pole.

Insert the wooden post into the hole. Center the post in the hole.

Pour crushed gravel into the hole around the post. Add 5 inches of gravel, and then compact it in using the end of a long 2 inch-by-4 inch board. Use the end of the board to hammer the gravel down.

Check the placement of the post to ensure the placement is still centered. Add an additional 5 inches of gravel and compact it again as you did in the prior step.

Repeat Steps 2 and 3 until the gravel is 6 inches from the top of the hole.

Fill the remainder of the hole with soil.

Clear away vines, bushes, shrubs and small trees under and around the mounted bird house. These can all act as access for predators to reach the bird house.