Snake baffle?

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  • #4139
    evie
    Participant

      Last year The grass around the bluebird house grew quite long. During that time. I believe a snake ate the hatchlings as nothing was disturbed. The nestlings were simply gone. 😢
      My house is mounted on a four by four pole. I’ve used a couple of rows of increasingly more open strips of metal flashing around the pole as a deterrent against all predators ,and it worked quite well for 20 years until the snake came. Now I’m thinking of creating an upside down funnel out of the sheet metal which I’d place close to the top of the pole. I’d like some feedback on what you all think. My thought is that if it’s wide enough the snake could not maneuver around it. One of the concerns I have with using sheet metal is its ability to reflect heat. We can get blistering days mid summer here in Western Connecticut. So….could I paint it a color to deflect or absorb the heat? Or is he whole idea not viable?

      (After a rocky start with HOSPS trying to nest next door to blues, I think all is well. I have a nest with four eggs. )

      Thanks.

      #4140
      nhhawk6
      Participant

        Hi, Evie! Any idea what species of snake you’re dealing with? I grew up in Connecticut, so I realize it could be one of several. Size/length are the key considerations. Have you considered approaching the problem from the standpoint of the mounting pole, itself? I am a proponent of 1/2″ electrical conduit coupled to rebar which has been driven into the ground. Attach to it a stovepipe-style raccoon baffle, stuff hardware cloth up near the top, and you can cross snakes off the list of worries (as well as squirrels, raccoons, etc.) That is simply my approach; inexpensive and effective. I am not certain of the best method to secure a 4×4 mounting pole set-up.

        Randy
        Bedford, New Hampshire

        #4141
        dogsandbirds
        Moderator

          A 4×4 is not the best thing. I’m with Randy. You need a new pole! As it is, even if you are somehow able to devise a way to keep the snakes out, ants have a broad highway.

          With HOSP around you have a spooker right?

          Gin
          Atlanta, GA

          #4144
          Lisa
          Participant

            If you are stuck with the 4×4 post you could still do a Krueger guard. They are cheap and easy to make. Like an upside down umbrella with layers of garden mesh.

            #4197
            Sparky
            Participant

              What does the garden mesh do?

              #4210
              dogsandbirds
              Moderator

                It traps the snake in it. A trapped snake should be released and that’s always fun. If you trap a snake in a Krueger trap, you should try not to leave it there any longer than you have to. The birds will be terrified!

                Gin
                Atlanta, GA

                #4215
                Lisa
                Participant

                  Gin, luckily I haven’t trapped one with mine. I lost two nests to snakes last year and got serious. The last attempt fledged with no snake ever entering the guard.
                  However, my plan is hedge clippers to hack one out if I ever get one. It seems to have had a definite deterrent effect which is not supposed to be the point.
                  Agreed you have to watch closely if you do a Krueger because the parents would definitely not enter with a snake right under the box.

                  #4216
                  Lisa
                  Participant

                    And I have always always caught and relocated snakes on my property until I found one with 5 baby bluebird lumps who came back the nest day looking for leftovers.

                    #4225
                    dogsandbirds
                    Moderator

                      Yeah, you have to relocate them pretty far away.

                      Gin
                      Atlanta, GA

                      #4229
                      Lisa
                      Participant

                        Yes, I wasn’t about to relocate this 5 foot long thing. Sorry nature. First snake I’ve ever dispatched.

                        #4231
                        dogsandbirds
                        Moderator

                          I know. Sometimes they just have to go south. It’s a shame, though.

                          Gin
                          Atlanta, GA

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