Purple Martin and Squirrels

[Oceangirl]

We are finally purple martin landlords! We revised the home we had last year and now have two pair that are taking up residence. This morning my husband looked outside and saw a squirrel half way up the pole! He went out and chased it down and out of our yard. Are squirrels predators to purple martins? Do they eat the eggs or the babies? My husband is thinking about putting wheel bearing grease half way up the pole to deter them. Does anyone have experience doing this? (Our pole does not telescope up and down).

[Matt F.]

Squirrels will indeed eat the eggs and/or babies if given the chance (which is both gross and maddening they would do that - but they would).
The absolute best thing is to place one of the stovepipe-style guards on your pole like these:
For round poles:
https://www.purplemartin.org/shop/53/round-pole/
For square poles:
https://www.purplemartin.org/shop/54/square-pole/
You can also make one like this:
https://www.purplemartin.org/uploads/me ... es-496.pdf
The important thing is the smooth metal combined with the wobbling action of the guard.

[Oceangirl]

Squirrels will indeed eat the eggs and/or babies if given the chance (which is both gross and maddening they would do that - but they would).
The absolute best thing is to place one of the stovepipe-style guards on your pole like these:
For round poles:
https://www.purplemartin.org/shop/53/round-pole/
For square poles:
https://www.purplemartin.org/shop/54/square-pole/
You can also make one like this:
https://www.purplemartin.org/uploads/me ... es-496.pdf
The important thing is the smooth metal combined with the wobbling action of the guard.

Thank you so much, Matt! We will look into making the homemade guard. I can't believe that about the squirrels! Poor purple martins - they have so many predators

[Matt F.]

You're most welcome
The down side to the grease is that it has been reported to not be very effective, and worse if a squirrel or raccoon gets enough grease on them, it can make them sick and potentially kill them.

[Oceangirl]

You're most welcome
The down side to the grease is that it has been reported to not be very effective, and worse if a squirrel or raccoon gets enough grease on them, it can make them sick and potentially kill them.

Yes, I wouldn't want to harm them - just keep them away from our PM's!

[C.C.Martins]

This is interesting, we see squirrels as cute and harmess. Last year we saw one climb a pole, run to a ledge and grab a baby dove right from the nest. It was a big baby too! Poor thing.

[Martintown33]

You can use a squirrel baffle on your pole .. they have removable ones , on Amazon, that you can easily take off the pole for nest checks.. or a regular pipe style guard.. place it at least , 5 feet above the ground, so a squirrel can’t jump over it and climb up your pole or rope..
Good luck
Rob

[Oceangirl]

You can use a squirrel baffle on your pole .. they have removable ones , on Amazon, that you can easily take off the pole for nest checks.. or a regular pipe style guard.. place it at least , 5 feet above the ground, so a squirrel can’t jump over it and climb up your pole or rope..
Good luck
Rob

Thanks, Rob. My husband built a homemade one. Pictures coming up!

[Oceangirl]

Hello everyone!
Thanks for your replies. Here's a picture of our home with the homemade guard (bonus: purple martins, included!)

[Martintown33]

Great job building the pole guard. Im sorry to say , I see an issue though. A squirrel can jump 4 to 5 feet straight up, and 10 feet across, from point to point. Your fence is within jumping distance to your pole. A squirrel can easily jump the distance from your fence to the pole, bypassing the guard altogether. They are very smart, and excellent problem solvers. If possible , raising the guard about 3 to 4 feet higher on the pole, should prevent him from being able to use that tactic to bypass the guard. I’ve had several issues with squirrels. Not with my martins but other things. With squirrels, you have to look at every possible pathway. If one exists, they will find it and use it. Understanding their jumping distances will help you to block any squirrel access to your housing.
Good luck
Rob

[Oceangirl]

Hi Rob,
We measured the distances. The fences are 9 feet and 13 feet away from the pole and 8 feet away from the green utility box. We can still raise it if necessary. Not sure if squirrels can jump this far

Thanks - appreciate your comments!

[Martintown33]

Ok great! Thanks for the measurements.. I edited my previous post to tell you , they can jump 4 to 5 feet straight up, and 10 feet across, from point to point. With the measurements you stated, You can raise the guard about 2 to 3 feet and you should be good to go! That should keep them from making the 8 foot jump, across, from the utility box. Great job.
Rob

[Oceangirl]

Ok great! Thanks for the measurements.. I edited my previous post to tell you , they can jump 4 to 5 feet straight up, and 10 feet across, from point to point. With the measurements you stated, You can raise the guard about 2 to 3 feet and you should be good to go! That should keep them from making the 8 foot jump, across, from the utility box. Great job.
Rob

Thanks, Rob! Sounds like a plan!

[Matt F.]

Hello everyone!
Thanks for your replies. Here's a picture of our home with the homemade guard (bonus: purple martins, included!)

Great photo and great looking guard!
Those look like happy Martins

[Oceangirl]

Hello everyone!
Thanks for your replies. Here's a picture of our home with the homemade guard (bonus: purple martins, included!)

Great photo and great looking guard!
Those look like happy Martins

Thanks, Matt!