snake-proof baffle for bluebird houses

[Doc]

Anyone have an idea? I have used the stove pipe and five-foot (plus) blacksnakes just laugh at it.

Any other suggestions?

[motdaugrnds]

I'm watching this thread because I want some fantail pidgeons and the ones I had were killed by black snakes even though they were nested high on the top of our barn.

[Wolf mom]

Did you use wire mesh along with the stovepipe & wax the pole??

[Cyngbaeld]

http://purplemartin.org/forumarchive...tsnakepred.htm
This site has some ideas that may help.

[Bearfootfarm]

Something along these lines should work:

http://www.songbirdgarden.com/store/...idproduct=8727

Stop squirrels from accessing feeders with this extra-wide 22-1/2" metal disk baffle. Durably designed to stay put and give you the perfect defense against squirrel and raccoon damage

http://www.songbirdgarden.com/store/...idproduct=4643

Keep squirrels off of your pole mounted bird feeders with the Audubon Wrap-Around Squirrel Baffle. This baffle's innovative design allows you to attach it to bird feeder poles after they have been installed rather than before attaching your feeder

[KMA1]

Yeah,

The cones similar to the ones Bearfoot linked to. You can make them yourself, probably a lot cheaper, but you almost have to use a pipe or metal post. Just make a pattern that will make a shallow cone. You can fasten it around the post with a couple of screws or pop ribbits where the edge overlaps. Mount with the point up and outsides down. The cone should stick out a foot from the post all around and be fastened to the post at the center.

[Ken Scharabok]

"I'm watching this thread because I want some fantail pidgeons and the ones I had were killed by black snakes even though they were nested high on the top of our barn."

Neighbor had a very large oak die in their front yard. They hire a tree service to remove it. Guy up on bucket for high limbs and he suddenly dropped the bucket to the ground. In a hollow near the top of the tree were two blacksnakes. Another worker said he wasn't afraid of them so he lifted himself up, reached in, pulled them out dropped them to the ground. Apparently they climbed the tree to reach that high.

[Jokarva]

If you put houses on top of long poles then wrapped the poles in barbed/razor wire - might that work? I don't want to injure critters, just strongly discourage them.

[Ken Scharabok]

As I recall bluebirds like to have their nest boxes about 4' off the ground with no trees or such over it.

I recall reading you need to clean out the next box after each hatching. I've don't check mine that often, but have found up to four nest layers in a single box.

Have also read bluebirds may harbor in them during winter, so the last nest probably needs to be left in to insulate the bottom.

[watcher]

Electric fence charge connected either wire or AL foil with alternating hot-ground-hot-ground will work.