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House Predators What to do about Predators Although bird houses serve the wonderful purpose of providing nesting opportunities for many native birds, they can also provide easy targets for predators and unwanted competitors. Common predators of bird houses include raccoons, snakes, cats and squirrels. For years, nest box providers have been inventing ways to fortify their bird houses against these predators. Here are some tips to help you thwart common bird house predators. The most passive way to prevent predation is to avoid placing bird houses in areas where predators are prevalent. But, because some predators are prevalent everywhere, this is often easier said than done. Protect your cavity-nesting birds by placing predator guards around your bird houses. Squirrels In some regions, squirrels do great damage to bird houses. By chewing at entrance holes to enlarge them, they make it easier for themselves and other predators to enter. If squirrels are a problem in your area, slate predator guards are available on most of our bird houses to prevent squirrels from enlarging the entrance hole and occupying the bird house. Raccoons and Domestic Cats Raccoons and cats are abundant in both rural and suburban areas. Raccoons seem especially difficult to deter because they are very intelligent. Once they learn that bird houses are a good food source, these nocturnal creatures have been known to wipe out entire groups of bird houses. In raiding bird houses, both raccoons and cats will leap to the top of the bird house, sit on the roof, and "dip" into the entrance hole with their front paws to grab the contents. Ways to prevent raccoons and cats from raiding your bird houses:
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