Research > Raccoons
While Native America was busy designing nest boxes for birds, raccoons were busy emptying them out.
1
Raccoons are nocturnal mammals that prowl the moonlit woodland paths. They are very adept at climbing trees, wooden fences and metal poles to get to the nest boxes.
Image: Raccoon climbing conventional bird nest box post.
2
Once at the nest box, raccoons explore the inside of the cavity with their agile hands. Its arms can extend deep into the nest box feeling for eggs or young birds or incubating parents. Lucky raccoons get a feathered meal. Unlucky birds say goodbye to their last night in the nest box.
Image: Raccoon reaching in next box.
3
Telltale signs of raccoon predation are nest strewn and hanging from the nest box. Also often evident are the scratch marks of its claws on the wood under the entrance hole.
Image: Raccoon reaching in next box.
4
Native America needed to include in its plans a method to keep the raccoons from disturbing the nest boxes. After trials of research with different materials and sizes and shapes, the most suitable and effective deterrent was a hollow plastic tube.
Image: Tree Mirage being placed over nest box post.
5
To make it blend into the woodland setting it was imprinted with a white oak bark pattern. This "Tree Mirage" raccoon guard could now be slipped over a wood or metal pole and fastened to it by screws or bolts.
Image: Tree Mirage being assembled.
6
Now with the nest boxes propped atop a "Tree Mirage" the raccoon is stymied. The birds can sleep in peace at night as they incubate and warm their young.le.
Image: Raccoon being twarted by Tree Mirage.
7
Native America needed to include in its plans a method to keep the raccoons from disturbing the nest boxes. After trials of research with different materials and sizes and shapes, the most suitable and effective deterrent was a hollow plastic tube.
Image: Tree Mirage being placed over nest box post.
8
To make it blend into the woodland setting it was imprinted with a white oak bark pattern. This "Tree Mirage" raccoon guard could now be slipped over a wood or metal pole and fastened to it by screws or bolts.
Image: Tree Mirage being assembled.