Predator protection: Not a New Topic

[sle62]

Hi all,
Have word Martins are back in FL so I have the house all cleaned and waiting for occupancy. Last year, in spite of having the recommended predator guard on the 2" square pole, 2 rat snakes managed to still get in. I am looking to do a simple ELECTRIC SET UP this year, but have no electrical skills. I have read many of the posts on here of what people have done but all of them seems too complicated for me. The one that sounded the easiest, was to purchase something for electric fencing from Tractor Supply but it seemed quite expensive. Looking for any new, affordable and easy ideas?
Thanks, Susan

[brent]

I am working on one that a fellow landlord, Thomabear, designed. All I have to do now is hook it up. If you would like I can post some pictures of mine once it’s complete. It is a little expensive. But have you tried the snake trap using bird netting? Brent

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[sle62]

Thank you Brent for the response. I would love to see what your are presently working on from Thomasbear. The bird netting looks like it would definitely keep the snakes from getting in, but since they are good snakes, I hate to have them get trapped in the netting. I put that around my vegetable garden one year, only to find a corn snake trapped in it and took him to the wildlife refuge for them to surgically remove the netting so he could live. I relocated him many miles away after. But please, let me know how your new electrical system protection works.
I see you have 2 houses - I just ordered a second for this year. What is the distance between them? I am not sure if that matters as much as not being too close to tall trees but am looking into where to put the new house.

[brent]

Hi Susan. My houses are 25 feet apart. As I hook up the electric pole guards I’ll take pictures and then post them. I’m not very good with electricity either. With the help of Thomabear, who gave me detailed instructions, I’m at the point of hooking it up. Hopefully I’ll be able to do it next week and test it out before the birds return. I don’t want to hurt the birds. That’s my biggest concern. Brent

[flyin-lowe]

Do you have pictures of your current predator guards? We might be able to help with those, but sounds like you are not wanting to add netting so electric would be the best next step.

[sle62]

Here is a photo of the predator guard on the pole. I put the saucer on top, thinking maybe the snake was able to fit through the very tiny opening on the top of the guard, but somehow he still got inside.

[flyin-lowe]

Depending on how long the snakes were they could go right up the outside of that baffle guard. The seems and buckles give them something to grip on.

[brent]

I agree with flyin-Lowe. Also, the baffle guard is too low to the winch. A snake will use the winch to push off of in order to crawl up the guard. Brent

[Phil01]

Agree with Brent and flyin-lowe. I believe the rule of thumb is at least 48 inches from any object that can be climbed from to the top of the predator guard, but higher is better. Snake netting above for any larger snakes that can get past the baffle.
Electric is the way to go if possible.
Brent, I have a question about the electric guard? What do you do when it rains? Do you have to turn it off so electricity doesn’t travel up the water on the pole? Or is it grounded somehow to prevent that? I don’t do well with electricity either…
Phil

[Thomabear]

All, Brent asked that I chime in on this topic. Sorry, I hadn't been on here for a while. I've just been really busy... Hopefully, this will eliminate any concerns about electrifying the pole. With the positive + side (in my situation the box) being stood off away from the pole on all sides via nonconductive fiberglass bolts and the pole being the ground, there is absolutely no way on earth and under ANY situation to electrify the pole. Should the positive side (Box) ever come in contact with the pole via weed growth or such, the system will short itself to ground by design and no power will be distributed to anything until the short (weed in this case has been eliminated) Now, let's say you experience a serious deluge of rain. And I mean serious... I suppose it's possible that this type of rain could momentarily short the system, but it would have to be very serious rain. I don't expect a snake's focus will be on a meal at that moment in time. Once the rain returns from a serious rain to just a medium to somewhat hard rain, the system will automatically reactivate itself. There is no intervention from the landlord to reset anything as everything will resume automatically. My decision to go this route is that it's humane to beneficial snakes, coons, whatever... They will have a very bad day if they try to climb that pole, but they will go on to do their job elsewhere with a very tough lesson under their belt. With the amount of snakes we have here, I consider the charger the gold standard in predator protection. Even predators with a PHD in climbing will not defeat this system.

Merry Christmas to everyone!

Added pic on edit.

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[brent]

Thanks Thomabear. So if the Poll is grounded to a ground rod we’re safe. I will post pics as soon as I wire it up. In the meantime, Thomabear, would you mind if I post the picture of your set up using the Gallagher S12 energizer? Brent

[Phil01]

Great info Thomabear and perfect explanation! Look forward to seeing your photos Brent.
Wishing everyone a great 2024 season!
Merry Christmas to all!
Phil

[Phil01]

Great info Thomabear and perfect explanation! Look forward to seeing your photos Brent.
Wishing everyone a great 2024 season!
Merry Christmas to all!
Phil

[Thomabear]

Thanks Thomabear. So if the Poll is grounded to a ground rod we’re safe. I will post pics as soon as I wire it up. In the meantime, Thomabear, would you mind if I post the picture of your set up using the Gallagher S12 energizer? Brent

Yes Brent please share that pic because I lost it. The one I attached to my last post is the rack at home. I think the one you have is the one I sent from our place in MS. Yes, as long as the pole is grounded all is golden. The pole is somewhat grounded in the concrete but I like to add the rod to assure a better ground and shock to those sneaky martin getters. Merry Christmas to all!

[Thomabear]

Also wanted to emphasize that if the pole should ever lose ground via a broken wire or such, which is HIGHLY unlikely, the pole will still not be energized. It’s literally impossible to electrify that pole. This system is 100% safe for your martins.

[brent]

Thanks Thomabear. Attached are pictures from Thomabear’s set up using the Gallagher S12 solar energizer. Mine will look exactly like that except that I will have one energizer for two poles. Brent

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[sle62]

Thank you for all of the info and pictures on this topic. I may try to go the electrical approach.

Here's to Happy Purple Martin Hosting and Watching!

Susan

[brent]

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Hi everyone. I just wanted to share photos of my electric pole guards. I finally finished with the help of Thomabear. I just about know nothing when it comes to electricity but once I saw what Thomabear had done I thought what a great idea. I did see some other electric pole guards before but nothing like this. The boxes are held to the post by fiberglass bolts. The energizer is a Gallagher S12. I know it looks difficult and for someone like me it is a challenge but I think it’s well worth it. Take care. Brent

[SSMartin]

That’s a really smart design well done. The piece that goes around the pole to hold the charge I am assuming was custom fabricated?

[brent]

It is 5”x5” aluminum square tubing (fits around the 3”x3’’ pole). Bought from www. midweststeelsupply.com. Brent