Unwelcomed Visitor

Hi Everyone,

I think one my favorite posts (because of the comments I received) was the one I had a month or so ago about the backyard birds that visit.  I loved hearing from everyone about how they enjoy watching and feeding them, too.

A few weeks ago, this critter started visiting.

I had put out the corn cobs for the squirrels.  I didn't expect to attract a raccoon!  We took the corn cobs down, now the critter is getting on the feeders.

I caught it up on each pole at least once, so yesterday I did some Googling for a remedy.  Of course, I could go to the bird store and buy a raccoon baffle (we already have squirrel baffles) but they are $45 and I need two.  I would much rather spend $90 on something else--like fabric, so alternate ideas are appealing.

The idea I came across involves the following supplies:

The black tube is foam pipe insulation.  It was $1.20 for a 6 foot length.  Zip ties are used to secure it to the feeder, and then carpet tacks are also used.

Carpet tacks come in different sizes, I got the largest.  They were $1.30 a pack and I got three packs.

In total, I spent just over $5.

The process is to poke the carpet tacks through the inside of the insulation.

 

 

Put about three of them around the diameter of the insulation, and then move down an inch or two and insert more.  Completely "stud" the insulation with carpet tacks.  You will want to be careful!  Those tacks can hurt!

Once full of tacks, take it outside and wrap it around the pole of your feeder.  I put mine under the squirrel baffle.  I forgot to mention that the insulation should be for the correct size of your feeder pole.  Using the zip strips (cable ties, whatever you call them) attach it tightly to the pole.  If you don't get it tight enough, the raccoon can pull it down.

I used quite a few zip ties to make sure it was on. 

The result is that the raccoon is not going to want to climb with all those painful tacks poking out all over.

This morning when I checked the feeders, I was disappointed to see that one of them had been pillaged, despite the new deterrent.  I think the problem is that on that pole, the baffle was too low, so we will try again by lifting the baffle and the insulation higher.  Hopefully that will work, otherwise I'm going to have to get the raccoon baffles. 

Do any of you have any good solutions? 

Thanks,
JoAnne