Protecting Birdhouses from Predators by Harriett Allen

Bird houses can become easy targets for predators if not placed properly, and birdhouses may be in danger no mater where they are placed from some predators. Some predators to worry about are Blue Jays, Starlings, Grackles, Opossums, Red Squirrels, cats, and Raccoons.

Blue Jays and Starlings will run off the birds you would like to nest in your boxes, and if they can peck the entrance hole out large enough, they will take over the nesting boxes. Squirrels will chew on the wood at the entrance to enlarge the opening enough to gain entry. Cats and Raccoons will sit on top of the bird house and reach in for what they want.

Protecting against Predators

The ideal way to protect birdhouses from predators is to not put the nesting boxes where predators can get to them. This is impossible in some locations, but there are some things that can be done to keep predators away.

Don't place nesting boxes in trees or hang from limbs.
Mount bird houses on metal poles
Use Predator Guards
Place birdhouses in open areas or at the edge of tree lines.
Predator Guards

There are several different predator guards that can be used and function in different ways. Many of these can be made with materials around the house.

If you are mounting the nesting box on a wood post, you can wrap the post with sheet metal under the birdhouse. This will offer a no grip policy that will keep the cats, squirrels, and raccoons away. You can also place a sheet metal conical collar under the birdhouse, and around the pole. This baffle will keep these same pests from reaching the bird house.

Mount birdhouses on a slick metal pole 5 or 6 feet up from the ground in an open area.

Use a predator guard on the entrance of the birdhouse to prevent unwanted birds from pecking the opening out large enough they can enter, also to deter squirrels from chewing on the wood entrance. This can be done by adding another piece of wood to make it to much work for unwanted birds and squirrels. You can also cut out a piece of sheet metal to the entrance size you would like and place over the entrance. The unwanted birds and squirrels wont peck or chew the sheet metal.

If you have more tips, please comment.

Woodwork for Wildlife