Bluebird question.

[Chuck B]

How skinny of a pole does it take for coons not to be able to climb it. Snakes are not a problem here. I read on a bluebird site to use 1/2 inch pipe. I switched most of my poles to 3/4 inch pipe and have not had a coon attack yet. Just wondering if anyone has had experience with skinnier pipe. Thanks for any input.

[Louise Chambers]

Skinny pipes won't stop raccoons - they are really good at climbing, as are snakes and squirrels. Use a baffle on your poles - the stovepipe design by Ron Kingston is good, mounted with top no less than 4 ft above ground.

[Buckizig]

Chuck, for years I have put a 4" piece of pvc over the pole. I use 6 foot poles 1 foot in the ground. Never have lost a bluebird or babies yet.

[Roymg]

Chuck, for years I have put a 4" piece of pvc over the pole. I use 6 foot poles 1 foot in the ground. Never have lost a bluebird or babies yet.

I guess they can't hold on because it spins?

[Buckizig]

too slippery and they can't grip something that size. I don't see many snakes where I am.

[Louise Chambers]

Some raccoons have climbed 6 inch pvc, so some can probably climb 4 inch pvc too - guards that wobble may help deter them better than rigid guards. With the wobbly stovepipe guards, 6-8 inch pipe is recommended.