Providing habitat for native birds by setting up birdhouses is a wonderful way to support wildlife and enjoy the beauty of songbirds in your garden. However, without proper precautions, your birdhouses or nestboxes can become targets for predators like raccoons, snakes, cats, and squirrels. To truly protect your feathered tenants and create a safe wildlife habitat, it’s essential to learn about predator guards and sustainable practices that ensure the safety of nesting birds. In our video Tricia gives you advice for choosing, placing, and maintaining birdhouses. So how do you keep those birdhouses from becoming bento boxes for hungry raccoons, snakes, cats and squirrels? The first defense is an appropriate location, followed by a predator guard. There are three main types of predator guards that are easy and inexpensive to build.

Building a Baffle

The most effective, but most difficult to build, is called a baffle. Baffle predator guards are constructed using a length of 8" stovepipe or ducting over the pole your birdhouse is mounted on. A pipe less than 8" is not particularly effective. This type of guard keeps out raccoons, snakes, squirrels, and cats.

To construct a baffle, you will need:

• 8" Diameter Galvanized Stovepipe or ducting, 24–36" long
• 8" circle of hardware cloth or 8" duct cap
• 2 iron hanger strips or 3" long bolt with the head cut off
• 2 #8–32 x I" machine screws and nuts
• Tin snips
• Leather gloves

Attach your iron hanger strips to the pole where you intend to mount your birdhouse. The end of the baffle should be at least three feet above the ground, so secure the hanger strips 5-6' off the ground. The baffle needs to be at least 6" from the bottom of the nestbox. Once built, the baffle will provide strong protection, ensuring your birdhouses remain safe for native birds.

Building a Cone (Zeleny) Guard

A cone also works for raccoons, snakes, squirrels, and cats but is not quite as effective as the baffle. However, cone guards can be easier to build than baffles. Large snakes can get around cone guards, and sometimes raccoons can figure them out.

To build a cone guard, you will need:

• 3' x 8' sheet of 26 gauge sheet metal (one sheet makes three cone guards)
• 2 iron hangers
• 1 old tennis ball
• Galvanized nails
• 1/4" round head stove bolts or metal screws
• Tin snips
• Leather gloves

Follow the steps for cutting and shaping the sheet metal into a cone shape. Once secured to your pole, the cone guard will act as a secondary layer of defense for your nestboxes.

Building a Noel Guard

The last guard is a Noel predator guard. This type of guard attaches directly to the front of the nestbox and prevents predators like raccoons or cats from reaching inside to get at the eggs and nestlings. While it doesn’t deter snakes, it is a great solution for areas where snakes are not a primary concern.

To build a Noel guard, you will need:

• ½" wire mesh hardware cloth (7" × 18" or 9" × 18")
• 4 1¼" screws or staples
• Tin snips
• Leather gloves

Cut and shape the hardware cloth as needed, then secure it to the birdhouse using screws or an adapter plate. Noel guards are particularly effective for chickadees and wrens, which readily nest in boxes equipped with these protective measures.

A Commitment to Wildlife Habitat and Sustainable Gardening

Installing birdhouses with proper predator guards is a fantastic way to contribute to sustainable gardening and support native birds. By using DIY birdhouse projects that incorporate recycled materials, gardeners can reduce waste while creating a safe wildlife habitat. Protecting nestboxes ensures that your feathered tenants are safe from predators and that your garden continues to thrive with the help of these songbirds.

Final Thoughts

Keep your nestboxes from becoming lunch boxes by investing in effective predator guards like baffles, cone guards, or Noel guards. With these simple yet impactful solutions, you can enjoy the beauty of native birds while fostering a safe and sustainable environment. Happy gardening!