Snake and Raccoon Guards a Must for Active Housing
From: Ken Kostka, PMCA, Edinboro, PA
Snakes and raccoons can climb both wooden and metal poles
(rusted or new), to make a meal of your martins. Greasing the pole will not
stop them. The only thing that will stop these agile climbing predators is a
pole guard or climbing animal barrier, sometimes called a baffle. Baffles can
be homemade or store-bought.
Go to instructions on how to make one, or you can purchase one at the PMCA’s on-line catalog.
(Drawing by Julie Zickefoose. Snake photo by James R. Hill, III)