An anti-predator collar. I'm surprised the site didn't mention this, as WA, OR and BC have more than their fair share of 'vores.
Put a collar of sheet metal around the pole, with the bottom of the cone about six feet off the ground. Extend the collar out at least two, maybe three feet. Now sheathe the pole under the collar in sheet metal also.
If you want some extra, extra protection, slather white pine pitch on the pole 2-3' below the collar and up *inside* the collar as well.
Anything with claws won't be able to climb the metal and snakes find the pitch extremely irritating. If you don't add the pitch, increase the width of the cone, since snakes can stretch a loooong way to get a free meal.
Side benefits: The guano will collect in a nice ring around the pole, which will discourage curious humans from getting close enough to disturb the bats. Having a pasty-faced mug staring up at you at 2PM is downright annoying.
With all that extra space I can see happy bats wiggling their warm toes!. As if they'll be able to move a centimeter the way they all cram into one if they like it :D.
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They forgot something...
Put a collar of sheet metal around the pole, with the bottom of the cone about six feet off the ground. Extend the collar out at least two, maybe three feet. Now sheathe the pole under the collar in sheet metal also.
If you want some extra, extra protection, slather white pine pitch on the pole 2-3' below the collar and up *inside* the collar as well.
Anything with claws won't be able to climb the metal and snakes find the pitch extremely irritating. If you don't add the pitch, increase the width of the cone, since snakes can stretch a loooong way to get a free meal.
Side benefits: The guano will collect in a nice ring around the pole, which will discourage curious humans from getting close enough to disturb the bats. Having a pasty-faced mug staring up at you at 2PM is downright annoying.
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