How to Prevent Snakes from Getting in a Bluebird House

Snakes like to eat bluebirds.

Placing a birdhouse in your yard is an excellent way to attract bluebirds. Unfortunately, predators such as snakes are fond of eating bluebirds and their eggs. Snakes are hard to prevent since they can climb poles and stand upright on their outstretched bodies. Snakes can discourage bluebirds from setting up residence in your birdhouses. Luckily, you can easily make your own predator baffle to prevent snakes from getting into your bluebird house.

Things You'll Need

• Bluebird house
• PVC pole
• Stove pipe cap
• Stove pipe
• Mesh hardware cloth
• Sheet metal screws
• Hammer
• Nails
• Carnauba wax

Instructions

1. Install your bluebird house on a freestanding pole a minimum of 12 feet away from any trees, fences and railings. The pole should be made of PVC and very thin. Poles of a small diameter are difficult for snakes to climb.

2. Make a hole in the cap of a stove pipe that is the width of the pole. Stove pipes and their caps are available at your local hardware store. Choose a stove pipe that is at least 8 inches around and 3 feet long.

3. Fold a piece of mesh hardware cloth over the mouth of the stove pipe. The mesh should hang over the edge of the pipe by about 2 inches. Bend the edges of the cloth downward so you have room for the cap. Cut a hole it, also the size of your pole. This will act as an added preventative against your snake predators.

4. Attach the cap to the stove pipe with sheet metal screws.

5. Hammer two nails into your pole, approximately 5 feet off the ground. Leave half of each nail protruding.

6. Slide your stove pipe and cap down the pole until it rests on the protruding nails.

7. Coat the pole with carnauba wax. This will make the pole slippery and harder for snakes to climb. If you prefer, you can use petroleum jelly.

Tips & Warnings

• This method will stop most snakes. Rat snakes will still be able to get past this baffle.

• It is a good idea to position your birdhouse so that the opening faces a perch, like a tree or fencing. This will allow your visiting bluebirds to see into the birdhouse before entering, ensuring there are no awaiting predators.

• This baffle will also work as an effective squirrel baffle.

References

• Squirrel-Free Birding: Squirrel-Proof a Pole Feeder Using a Stove Pipe
• Sialis: Snakes
• Cornell Lab of Ornithology: Guard Stop