squrrels and martins

[birdy girl]

I have several squrrels that run along a wooden fence then along to the trees. My martin houses are located close to the wooden fence. I currently am martinless, but I had 2 or 3 martins come by earlier( a few weeks ago), they stayed at my gourds approx. 1 3/4 days. Just wondering if the martins saw the squirrels running along the fence by the houses if they would it scare the martins away. Will squirrels harm martin's? Just wondering.

[Tim Mangan-Kansas]

Terri99:
About four years ago, before I really knew much about martin's, my neighbor up at Table Rock lake in Missouri had a martin house with martins. On numerous occassions, I saw a squirrel climb her metal pole and get into the nesting cavities. The squirrel would chew the opening until it was large enough for the squirrel to enter. I also witnessed this squirrel jump from a nearby tree to the top of this same martin house. Yes, squirrel's are a predator to martin's.
Tim

[Mary Dawnsong]

Hi Terri,

Squirrels are predators of baby birds and they can climb poles. See:
http://purplemartin.org/forumarchives/a ... uirrel.htm

[Kyle Gregoire]

Terri, It seems the red squirrels are alot more agressive than the grey squirrels, at least in VT they are. I have witnessed reds doing damage to nest boxes but never have i seen greys doing any.

[birdy girl]

Thanks for your advice. I guess the squirrels must go. I sure do hate to kill animals. I guess it is possible that the martins that visited for a couple of days saw the squirrels and decided to move on. Pretty sure they went to a nearby small colony which I think has around 5 to 6 birds. I guess they could have gone there also just to be with the other birds. I think they have a ASY male there. The trees in which the squirrels are traveling to will be cut before next spring.

Should I kill the squirrels now or wait until next spring?

If I cut the trees will that eliminate the squirrels from the fence area which is close to my martin houses?
Like I said I hate to kill animals, but if I must do it, I will.

[Mary Dawnsong]

Hi Terri,

I don't think it is practical to try to control squirrels on your property. Martin housing needs to be located far enough away from the fence that squirrels cannot jump from fence to pole. It also needs pole guards to protect from pole-climbing squirrels.

In your site photos it appears that your housing is far enough away from the fence -and- you are going to get pole guards. So, I don't see a problem. My property has lots of squirrels -and- has raccoons nesting about 100' away and the martins know this. But there is no problem as long ground predators cannot climb the pole.

My best, Mary

[birdy girl]

What type of pole guard do I get to go on the pole to keep squirrels and raccoons from climbing the pole? If I ever get any martin's to stay, I am going to get the wire and put at the bottom of the pole to keep snakes away.