A really bad year - snakes and HS

[frushaj]

I am just getting a colony started (third year). I had 4 pair last year and fledged about 22. This year I have lost 4 young to one rat snake and 2 weeks later lost one female and 3 young dead in the cavity with the snake still there with the male adult and 2 young in its belly. I tried to attach the photo but when I do the post does not go through. I then lost 2 young that were pecked to death last week assumed to be HS since the holes are Starling resistant. I have fledged 5 and have cavities with 2 young in one and 1 young in the other left.
I am going to check into some type of electric guard for next year!

[flyin-lowe]

If you have anything left I wouldn't wait until next year. Once snakes and other predators realize there is a food source they will continue to come back until the colony is wiped out.

[Steven Spencer]

One thing I've tried with success is to place a 4 ft. section of 6 inch pvc at the base of each pole, with a hot wire attached to each. Have had no problem with crawling/climbing predators for three years with this setup. I got the idea from Emil.