Purple Martins

Our headquarters in southern New Jersey is located in one of the region’s largest tidal wetlands. As a result, there are insects, some of which are attracted to our product components & become easily trapped in the wet ‘wearlayer’, possibly resulting in defects.

Since the mid-1980’s, we’ve been using a more natural option than pesticides by installing houses for Purple Martins, birds that migrate from Brazil to the United States for the summer months – & that eat massive amounts of insects. 

This “Purple Martin Project” has proven to be an environmentally friendly & cost effective way to deal with the insects. Today, Purple Martins east of the Rockies are entirely dependent upon man-made houses – which on our property are found adjacent to the manufacturing buildings. With the help of our birds, & the continuing use of screens & bug-proof entries, our insect challenge is now more manageable.

*FOOTNOTE: The Martin Colony gourd stands needed to be moved in early Spring, 2021.  This move reduced pole stands from 8 to 6 & gourds from 96 to 72.

Mannington continues to manage one of the premier & larger martin colonies in this region. The 2023 vs. 2024 population was quite similar and the colony that calls this place home, remains vibrant.