You might try lime oil next time you have a problem. I will try it if I have any more egg thieves. I caught the last one and forced it to regurgitate the egg without breaking it. It escaped from the bag I was holding it in overnight. It never took another egg! It was a five foot rat snake. I don't kill non-venomous snakes because they eat rodents.

Hi Lori Dont waste your time and money the wax will work only for a few wks.... Invest in garden netting that will stop snakes you can but the netting at home Depot the netting with 1/2 inch holes.. wrap around pole with plastic wire ties. Cheap and the role of netting will go far. I have saved many bluebirds over the years. I used PVC waxed and it just caused failures. You will find trapped snakes alive too and must cut them loose if you can. Snakes trapped are often food for vultures. ---Ray

I see some friends from years past and friends I've yet to meet! I have a nest of titmice and brown-headed nuthatches but the bluebirds are nesting across the street, I think. As for snakes, after what happened last July here, I do not trust ANY baffle! The one made of netting looks promising and if I get any birds after these first ones, I'll try it. If you didn't see my article in the Bayou (Louisana) Bluebird Society's newsletter about what happened here with 5 bluebird fledglings last July, their parents and a snake, check it out below. I don't trust much of any kind of deterrent for snakes after this. Right now, there have been NO takers for that nest box even though the snake never got on the box. A pair of bluebirds looked in quite a lot but never did go in (there's a nestbox video camera in there). There were titmice, nuthatches, chickadees all looking at it but no one took it!!! It's a mystery to me. Let's hope our bluebirds and other birds have a safe and productive season despite the challenges. Bluebird blessings, Linda... Here is a link that might be useful: BIG surprise: bluebirds vs snake

Sorry to hear about the snake! I have noticed on the purple martin forum they use nets around their poles too. That might help. Snakes usually remember so maybe hope that a hawk or something will eat this particular snake. Wish i could give you some better advice but i have none. Sorry. Can this nestbox be relocated? Best of luck. Bonnie