Purple Martins

Our headquarters in southern New Jersey are right in the middle of one of the region’s largest and most significant tidal wetlands. And where there are wetlands, there are insects. And the insects bug us; they are attracted to some of our product components and are easily trapped in our gels, resulting in product defects.

We tried screened double-door airlocks and overhead door air curtains to keep insects out. Several years ago, however, a few associates convinced management to install a more natural answer: houses for purple martins. These small birds migrate from Brazil to the United States every spring then back to Brazil in mid-September. Each martin eats a massive amount of insects.

Centuries ago, Native American tribes hung clusters of hollow gourds near their gardens to attract purple martins. Early settlers continued the practice, erecting martin houses to which generations of birds returned, year after year. Today, purple martins east of the Rockies are entirely dependent on houses provided by landlords. They proved to be the most environmentally friendly – as well as the most cost-effective – way to deal with the insects.

Mannington now maintains seven martin condos and gourd systems adjacent to the mill. With the help of our birds – and the continuing use of screens and bug-proof entries – our insect problem, though not completely eradicated, is now manageable. This is a sound environmental – as well as good business – policy.

Below are our purple mountain counts for the last few years.

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