Snakes in Gourds question

[Matt F.]

One thing to take note of, in the photo of the snake breaching the stovepipe guard Lane posted, is it's using the screw heads on the baffle to climb up.
That's probably a big reason why one-piece, smooth cylinders like PVC are more effective at thwarting snake attacks.
That said, it's still best practice to use a stovepipe/PVC style guard, in addition to netting placed above it.
Of course, your hard pressed to beat electric guards - those are definitely "tier 1" when it comes to guarding poles.

[M.Stephens]

Matt I have all that you mentioned above....I went "tier 1" electric plus the stovepipe and pvc with netting above.

[jmeyer]

I think the baffle in the picture is fixed when it should really sway. If the baffle can rock when the snake tries to climb it, it will be harder for them to get a hold and slither up. Still not fool proof but makes a big difference.

[DornCounty]

OK so I'm guessing that there is no sure fire way, other than electrifying, that will stop a snake. I couldn't believe the photo of the rat snake climbing right up and over the stove pipe guard. Is a bigger diameter/circumference the key when setting up a predator guard? Maybe a small barrel or beer keg?

to me it looks like that guard was too low.

[DornCounty]

One thing to take note of, in the photo of the snake breaching the stovepipe guard Lane posted, is it's using the screw heads on the baffle to climb up.
That's probably a big reason why one-piece, smooth cylinders like PVC are more effective at thwarting snake attacks.
That said, it's still best practice to use a stovepipe/PVC style guard, in addition to netting placed above it.
Of course, your hard pressed to beat electric guards - those are definitely "tier 1" when it comes to guarding poles.

It's also too low. .the snake is using the ground to push up against. That said no way is fool proof and if I put snake netting up on the public colonies I would hanging from snake netting by the time it was over.

[Matt F.]

It's also too low. .the snake is using the ground to push up against. That said no way is fool proof and if I put snake netting up on the public colonies I would hanging from snake netting by the time it was over.

I concur that it's too low.
However, being too low is much more of a factor, when stopping "furry" predators (raccoons, cats, etc.) that have to use the ground as a launching point to get past the guard.
However with climbing snakes like rat snakes, the snakes can use the pole itself as a launching point, to extend out, and get a hold of the guard.
Even if that same guard in the photo was 10 feet off the ground, that snake would've still got past it.

[DornCounty]

It's also too low. .the snake is using the ground to push up against. That said no way is fool proof and if I put snake netting up on the public colonies I would hanging from snake netting by the time it was over.

I concur that it's too low.
However, being too low is much more of a factor, when stopping "furry" predators (raccoons, cats, etc.) that have to use the ground as a launching point to get past the guard.
However with climbing snakes like rat snakes, the snakes can use the pole itself as a launching point, to extend out, and get a hold of the guard.
Even if that same guard in the photo was 10 feet off the ground, that snake would've still got past it.

I'll agree to disagree.

[Thurman Seber~TN]

I am of the opinion that a section of six inch pvc pipe at least five feet long at the bottom of the pole will also work. I had the pvc for years but I always had it backed up with electric guards. However Emil tells me it works for him and I sure believe him

[Jose Rodriguez]

I'm a newbie to occupancy of Martins this year. We have been successful in keeping snakes, raccoons, and other critters away for years from our bat houses. I only hope this upside down plastic flower pot on a pole just up from the 3' PVC will work on keeping snakes out and other critters.