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Hi…anyone use pvc poles or pole sleeves? I had my bb eggs runner last season by a snake I presume,, and it was suggested elsewhere that I try pvc poles to keep out critters. Seems like a possible easy thing to do without the complications of a baffle.
Yes, it is necessary to use slick poles, not wooden, as you found out the hard way. Snakes, cats, etc. can climb up wood poles and get into the nest. Baffles are still a good item and extra safety feature, if you can get one up.
Well I have 1/2 inch metal poles currently, not wooden. So was wondering if I should slide a bit larger pvc over the metal pole.
Sorry I misunderstood – you have up a slick pole, but not nearly large enough so Yes, you need to slide a larger pole over the 1/2″ one. My pole is a 2 inch diameter I believe, maybe 2 1/2″. The idea for larger pole is that something cannot crawl up as easy as a smaller one. If you do not have a baffle on the pole, you really need to grease the bottom of the pole up about 4-5 inches to keep critters from climbing up. I have used axel grease with good success – the heaver axel grease does not wash off as easily as regular grease. Good luck – Happy thanksgiving.
Not only should you use a bigger PCV pole but you should also place a 6″ to 8″ diameter stove pipe about 6 – 8 inches below the nestbox to deter climbers such as the snakes and critters that can grip around the pole but also raccoons, squirrels, cats and other animals that could climb the round pole.
Here is a photo of my nestbox and the stove pipe baffle. It consists of the stove pipe and a top with a hole cut in the center the diameter of the PCV pile. I also cut a 1/4″ hardware cloth circle to fit in the stove pipe and cut random sized pieces, folded the sharp wire edges to go through the circle to keep snakes from trying to crawl through, and then stuffed some scrunched up chicken wire fencing in the baffle to further tangle a snake that might try to challenge the baffle. I used 2 large screws 180 degrees apart to hold the baffle under the lid. It will wobble to the side to keep anything that tries to climb it from reaching the top.
Hope this helps. By the wai I am using 2 1/4″ PCV pipe.
David
Stafford, VAHey, David – glad you responded & gave more information here. I can’t believe the weather we are having (warm) – AND I ALSO HAD BOTH MALE & FEMALE BLUES inspecting a nest box yesterday – papa blue has been around all winter but not mama, so I was absolutely thrilled to see her yesterday. I sure hope they do not get into a big hurry about laying eggs like they did last year – had the first egg laid March 25. But then had a total of FOUR nestings that year. Hope everyone is doing well.
Be careful that there are no overhanging branches within 10 feet of your box. Those crafty snakes can drop down onto the box from tree branches even stretching way out to do it. I’ve seen videos of them doing it.
I am changing my baffle from a 6″ stove pipe to an 8″ pipe. I am still using the hardware cloth and chicken fencing for additional protection. I will post a photo when I complete it. I have to work between nest building trips by the BB pair.
David
Stafford, VAI always thought a cylinder baffle was enough to keep snakes out. It is up here in NW Ohio because we don’t have many snakes and not those really huge rat snakes. But what I’ve learned from being a Purple Martin landlord is that down south where they’re are huge rat snakes netting is needed. The snakes are able to get past Martin predator guards. You use garden nettimg and make several fluffy layers of it and put it above the predator guard. If anyone is interested I’ll try to find info on how to do it.
Tammy
I am interested, Tammy. I have always had the bunched chicken wire and hardware cloth inside the baffle but now with my 8″ baffle, I find that it does not move much from side to side when I touch it near the bottom edge. I might take the chicken wire out and put it above the baffle as you suggested.
David
Stafford, VAI’ll look today and see if there’s a YouTube video you can see . It’s in a FB purple martin group so I’ll see if I can show it to you another way.
Tammy
https://youtu.be/yzxNIKFSLBM
This link shows how to put snake netting on a purple martin pole. I’m sure you can adjust this and use it on a bluebird box. Someone on that group also devised a way of attaching it to your predator guard so I’ll try to find that and post it too.Tammy
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