Raccoons

Also see Cats and Other Four Legged Creatures

From: John Schuster
Sent: Monday, October 27, 2003 8:52 AM
Re: Fireant control/More effective without pesticides

... below is a list of other garden recipes that some folks maybe in interested in ... provided by my friend Bob Tanem, a local gardener, nursery owner for over 35+ years and radio talk show host in San Francisco (where I've been a guest talking about cavity nesting birds.) You can check out Bob's web site at: http://www.bobtanem.com/

... 

Raccoon Chaser

Use this recipe to create an unpleasant experience for your local racoons. They often do not refrequent a place where they have had an unpleasant experience. Try not to have accessible water nearby.

Captain Crunch Cereal(or similar sugar cereal)

Marshmallows

Hot Tai Pepper

Peanut Butter

Mix in an old aluminum pie plate and place in areas where they do the most damage.

John Schuster...

Trish Culpepper - Frankston, TX
I'm a new bluebird enthusiast and have had a heartbreaking start. The first day we put up our first bluebird house, a family moved in and, within a week, we had four beautiful bluebird eggs in the next. I watched them closely for about a week and a half, then my husband discovered this weekend a raccoon had killed one or both of the adults (we just found feathers and a
wing) and all the eggs were gone, except for one small piece of one. We found raccoon tracks outside the fence where we had the house posted. They were within a week of hatching and I'm just heartbroken. We have other bluebird houses up, but there has been no interest in them, and now no more sightings of bluebirds. (We live in the country on 10 acres.) The house they chose was just inside the fence in our backyard and they seemed to enjoy the safety of being around people and my three Yorkies who chase away squirrels, etc. I have cleaned out the old nest and plan to put a predator screen guard on the bluebird house. Should I move the bluebird house as well, or will bluebirds come back to it where it is?

P.S. As heartbreaking as this is, I'm sure it would have been more traumatic for me in another week or two and the nestlings were killed.

Trish,
I would much prefer that someone from Texas, who knows the
Texas situation well, tried to respond to your dilemma.
But here in New Hampshire I always try to keep my Bluebird
houses (72 of them) well out in the open, 100 feet at least from buildings,
tree lines, thickets, puckerbrush, etc. Of course, any effective predator
guards that you can install would be of help, - at least an entrance block
around the hole to make it harder for coons and cats to reach into the box.
Another positive remedy: - shoot the coon. (I understand
that there are a lot of guns in Texas, even more than in New Hampshire.)
I hesitate to say this to a lady, but I believe that coons,
etc. detest urine, including human urine, and keep away from it. Bluebirds
can't smell it.

Bruce Burdett, SW NH

From: EHDerry"at"aol.com [mailto:EHDerry"at"aol.com]
Sent: Monday, May 02, 2005 12:14 PM
Subject: Re: Fellow bluebirders

Bruce and all: I wonder if Liquid Fence would keep coons away? I use it to spray on plants to keep rabbits and deer from eating them. I believe it is made from urine. Of course, it is more expensive than the real thing!

Judy Derry
New York State (Western)

Thanks for the tips, Bruce...I've never seen a coon out here, though we know they are here from the tracks (which only my husband recognized). They probably don't come around except at night when my Yorkies can't get out.
My Yorkies don't bother the birds, but will chase squirrels and lizards all day. We are having problems finding good locations for our bluebird houses since we have so many trees out here. We are in what is referred to as the "Pineywoods of East Texas". Think we will try putting one out in the middle of the back yard on a predator proof pole. At this point, I would be thrilled to have bluebirds move into our Purple Martin Houses which are located as far away from the trees as possible, and on which we have the baffles to keep predators out.

From: Brucemac1"at"aol.com [mailto:Brucemac1"at"aol.com]
Sent: Monday, May 02, 2005 3:17 PM
Subject: Re: Fellow bluebirders

Hello Trish,

Yours is, indeed, a sad predicament. Sad, maddening, frustrating.............."at"!"at"#$%?&

We have 'coons here and they will raid nests and boxes, anything to which they might gain access.

As a result, I've designed a nestbox that makes it extremely difficult for 'Pole-climbers' or 'Roof-Sitters' to plunder the contents of the box. It may even help you deal with high nestbox temperatures in your Summer heat.

It's easy to build. I'd be pleased to send you photos, if you'd like.

Bruce Macdonald, SW Ontario, south of Detroit

Dear Trish,

I joined several LBBS members weekend before last at Hodges Gardens, in the Piney Woods of West Central Louisiana. Our mission was to rehab the BBird trail started at the Gardens by Dr. Shirl Brunell. We found some amazing things there on the existing trail.

The trail was started many years ago. A number of the boxes we found were under trees. This was a surprise, but in retrospect, those trees were probably very small many years ago, if they were even there. The Blues and Chickadees were using them, despite the location. There were open fields bordering some of the boxes in the trees, and some were in sparsely wooded areas. One thing I've also learned from my Mom is to be willing to move a box. If you get "no takers" this season, move the box. Sometimes it only has to move a few feet. A couple of Mom's boxes are about two hundred yards apart, but in line of sight. If my Dad parks a big piece of equipment between them so that they can't see each other, both boxes are usually taken. If he doesn't, then only one box will be taken. (Dad farms, and they live in the country with lots of room). Mom has moved several boxes through the years, and has been successful with them.

As for the "coon" problem, I would suggest a Kingston stovepipe guard. If you can't find instructions with a Google search, let me know, and I will mail you a hard copy. This guard, made with a piece of stovepipe, is very effective against snakes, squirrels, and other climbing predators. It hangs on the mounting pole and swings freely, discouraging climbing predators.

Good luck with your birds, and let me know if I can help.

Sheryl Bassi
Leland, MS
Louisiana Bayou Bluebird Society

From: Paula [mailto:PaulaZ"at"columbus.rr.com]
Sent: Tuesday, May 03, 2005 11:28 AM
Subject: Fw: Fellow bluebirders

Trish,

I'm sorry this happened. Raccoons are very intelligent animals and this one will definitely associate your nest boxes with an easy lunch from now on so it is imperative that you mount your boxes on poles with raccoon baffles on the poles. I have baffles made of PVC pipe and use a 30" length. Stovepipe baffles also work very well. They should wobble a little so it knocks the raccoon off when he tries to climb up. You also need to make sure that all your boxes are far enough away from the fence or trees so that the raccoon cannot climb up the fence or tree and jump on top of the box. He will definitely try this if you have them located in an area where this is possible. If you deny him access to your boxes, your next nesting attempt will not be thwarted by raccoons. So move any boxes that need moving and put good predator baffles on them.

Good luck.

Paula

From: Trish Culpepper [mailto:trishkcully"at"earthlink.net]
Sent: Tuesday, May 03, 2005 11:27 PM
Subject: My Bluebird Boxes Have Been Relocated....

Well, after my hard lesson of last weekend, today we moved the two bluebird boxes out into the open, away from the woods and trees, installed the Noel predator guards on them and put them on metal poles with the baffles. We also put lubricant on the poles from the ground up to the baffles to deter ants. Also placed them both facing near small trees to aid the young ones in fledging. These are newly planted trees that are too lightweight for anything but birds to perch onto. Now, I just pray they will attract a new bluebird family(s) this year.

Trish - Frankston, TX

From: Amy Louise Marr [mailto:MARR_AMY_LOUISE"at"Lilly.com]
Sent: Tuesday, June 28, 2005 1:11 PM
Subject: Need quick solution-predator guards for the non-ideal 4x4 post

Hi
Can any one suggest a raccoon guard for 4x4's that can be implemented quickly. I know 4x4s are not a good means of mounting boxes, but that is what was used for a trail I have taken over this year. They are surrounded with pvc sheeting, or pipe, which I know, I know is not safe from raccoons....... Just came across boxes where babies were missing, and there are even paw marks on the pvc.....
Thanks!

Amy Louise Marr
Greenfield, IN 46140

From: Amy Louise Marr [mailto:MARR_AMY_LOUISE"at"Lilly.com]
Sent: Tuesday, June 28, 2005 1:14 PM
Subject: Can raccoons climb 1/2, 3/4 or 1" pipe?

In regards to the trail I mentioned in my last post, I am hoping to drum up money to replace the boxes and mounting systems for next year.

Can raccoons climb metal pipe? If a box were mounted at 7' with no predator guard, is this adequate for protection?

Thanks All
Amy Louise Marr
Greenfield, IN

Amy....I don't know about raccoons, but snakes can climb a metal pipe, so it is not sufficient for predator control.

P.S. Re: House Sparrows in the Deep South

Yes, we do have them and they wreak havoc. I am like you in that I do not
have any. However, many LBBS members fight them constantly.

Count your blessings on that score!

Evelyn

... For a quick raccoon/cat guard install a 9" length of 4" PVC pipe to the front of the nestbox so that the bluebirds have to crawl through the entire length of the pipe to reach the entrance hole to the nestbox. Remember raccoons are very strong and the pipe and nestbox have to be able to withstand this animal clawing and chewing on the nestbox all night long!
This is kind of like being stranded in a strange town in a strange motel and having workers remodeling the motel rooms around yours all night! Enjoy your nights sleep:-)) KK

From: Autumn L. Kruer [mailto:autumnk"at"iglou.com]
Sent: Wednesday, June 29, 2005 9:46 AM
Subject: RE: Need quick solution-predator guards for the non-ideal 4x4 post

For a quick fix, go to the hardware store and get some flexible sheet metal or flashing and create a floppy dome about 3’ from the base of the post. Keeps out snakes, coons and possums. It works – I’ve had to do it before. Be careful handling with the edges, though!

Autumn

Trish-Frankston, TX
I had the surprise of my life the other night when I went to close up the garage and get the cat in for the evening. When I started out into the garage, two raccoons were in my garage. I had never seen one "in the flesh" and was amazed at how large they are. They are larger than my dogs!!! Also, they were eating and drinking from the cat's bowl and they just stared at me....didn't make any attempt to leave or even seem startled. So....I'm wondering where my cat is if raccoons are in the garage, which led me to research them online. They won't usually harm grown cats (though they will eat kittens) unless the cat is aggressive or corners them. Now, I'm unable to let my Yorkies out in the back yard after dark because they WILL be aggressive toward and corner any critter they come upon in the yard. The following day I saw a snake in my husband's shop, then yesterday a red fox running across the pasture to the woods. Oh, the joys of living in the country again!!

From: Autumn L. Kruer [mailto:autumnk"at"iglou.com]
Sent: Thursday, June 30, 2005 2:01 AM
Subject: RE: O/T Raccoon Predators

Coons are crafty little guys. They raid my goose nests without fail and leave a trail of broken eggs to the barn. Last year my husband put up a “woods camera” on his turkey and deer feeder and I have some absolutely hilarious shots of coons in a group hanging sideways from trees to the feeder and shaking out corn. I had a mother coon and 3 babies that would sneak out of the woods and fish at the edge of the pond in the morning, too. They were so much fun to watch.

Rules for the country, if you’re becoming reacquainted with living in it: NEVER leave pet food outside. Not only will it attract coons, but also rats and coyotes. And where you have rats, you will get snakes. Coyotes will eat your cat in a heartbeat – it has become their #1 prey and easy-pickins. I also once heard one my cats screaming in the woods and we ran out to him, only to find him rolling around on the ground with a red fox. He was fine except for a puncture wound to his leg and a $100 vet bill. My cats don’t go out at all now, where they cannot be either predator or prey.

Autumn in Kentucky

From: Keith & Sandy Kridler [mailto:txbluebirder"at"sbcglobal.net]
Sent: Thursday, July 21, 2005 8:54 AM
Subject: Re: snake predation

Keith Kridler Mt. Pleasant, Texas
The best raccoon guard will be Ron Kingston's 8" diameter Stove Pipe guard. It must swing freely and it must be above the height a hungry, determined raccoon can jump. I personally think the average raccoon can probably jump as high as the average cat can. Coons can run at top speed for miles ahead of a pack of hounds.

Many animals learn how to climb up and over guards when they have enough motivation. During nesting season for the cavity nesters is also nesting season for all the other birds and it is easier for coons to feast on frogs, fish, duck eggs, June Bugs, blackberries, corn, even road kills (you get the idea) than to climb up and over a guard. Just because you have a guard on a box does not mean that a predator actually tried to climb over it!

Snakes on the other hand can often climb up and over most commonly used guards and you need to use Harry Krueger's Mesh Snake Trap above whatever guard you use and believe works well for you. The snakes will then be trapped between the guard and the nestbox and you can determine what kind of a snake problem you have.

MANY Purple Martin landlords have used the mesh traps and trapped snakes that climbed a smooth martin house pole that had a 30 gallon trash can inverted on the pole to stop raccoons. The snakes had gone up and over the outsides of the 30 gallon plastic or metal trash cans on their way to the martin colony. These trash cans were mounted 8 feet or more off of the ground. Raccoons can climb up and over inverted five gallon buckets. MANY of these guards may work fine on your small trail for many years but it only takes a single night for a talented coon or opossum to ruin your day!

Remember that more baby birds are probably lost the first week out of the nest than the whole month they spend as an egg and then a young bird inside an unguarded nestbox. It is just that we see more often the "empty" nest but we seldom EVER see the actual killing in the nestbox. Same goes for the deaths of birds outside the box! Most small birds are eaten whole by the predator leaving almost no evidence. A raccoon probably needs about 3 pounds of baby birds (or other food) a night but I have yet to see one actually catch and eat anything other than dog food! KK

BEST OF BLUEBIRD_L CLASSIFIEDS HOME | Audubon Society of Omaha | The Bluebird Box | Bluebird FAQs | Search | Contact me

All material was originally posted on the Bluebird_L or Bluebird mailing list, and has been reposted here with slight modifications to make the posts more readable in an HTML format.  In cases in which quoted material has been deleted to save space, this is indicated by an ellipsis (...)

For more information about Bluebird_L, check out http://www.cit.corn.edu/cit-pubs/email/using-lists/index.htm. If you wish to contact the author of a post, you will need to edit the e-mail address, replacing "at" with the "at" symbol (above the number 2 on your keyboard). (This change was made to discourage spammers.)

If you are the author of a posting and would like to see a particular post (or posts) removed from these web pages, please contact me with the web page address, title of post, and date and time of the post(s), and I will remove whatever material you like.  If you have a different opinion from one posted here, you need not contact me, as often I will have a different opinion too. The intent is to try and provide both sides to the issues facing bluebirders, and to do so in an impartial and objective manner.

If you have problems, encounter broken links (unless they are within an e-mail thread, as I do not maintain those links), or have suggestions on how the site can be improved to make it more useful, please contact the Best of Bluebird-L Classifieds webmaster. 

Website design by Chimalis