Animal detection under deck

[pete_c]

I utilize my back yard deck post test weather station stuff. That said I run the wires for this for for that under the deck to the house when testing.

Last summer rabbits keep chewing up my wires so thinking of some way to detect them initially then come up with a deterrent. I've also seen a neighbors cat under the deck; maybe wanting to eat the rabbits?

The deck is about 2 feet up from ground level and really don't want to put a fence around the bottom of the deck.

Any suggestions?

 

[Del91574]

How about running plastic or plastic covered metal sealtite conduit from the house to the deck post, say to a 2 gang cast bell box. Side benefit is you'd be able to easily add/remove cabling within reason.

No detection, just keeping the cabling out of harm's way from the get go. Might not work if you run cabling that already has ends installed.

 

[pete_c]

Great idea Del. Thank you. I have multiple conduits right now from the house to the distal side of the deck to metal boxes (outdoor style).

A "test pvc tube" would work for my experimenting.

 

[tmbrown97]

Definitely a good solution... but if you wanted to go the other way, I'd suggest something along these lines.

 

[pete_c]

Thanks W2P.

I was going to put one of the IP HD cameras with LEDs under the deck and maybe "see" which of the animals are hanging around there...

 

[wuench]

They also make those "cat scat" mats with plastic needles poking up to keep animals out of plants. Or you can go with the "thrifty" version, plastic forks.

 

[standon]

Funny, today I noticed the birds are back to nesting. Last year I would have to blow down the nests each day in the backyard - We went away for the weekend and I lost the battle. A bird built a nest on a downspout near the pool. Of course, one of the new babies took it's first flight straight into our pool and did not make it out (which seems to happen at least once a year).

As a test today, I'm having the speakers in the area come on every 4 minutes for 30 seconds or so to try to detract the birds. I'll let you know how it turns out. I also downloaded an ultrasonic ringtone...maybe I will play that instead of Sirius radio for the birds.

 

[pete_c]

Many birds this year as the deck railing is totally covered their stuff. I've already cleaned it twice so far in the last month. I too have speakers outside and can configure them for some ultrasonic tones.

I should try a 120db ultrasonic emitter that I have. Little tiny thing with an amplifier. Its like a silent air horn; except you feel it rather than hear it.

 

[BraveSirRobbin]

Instead of ultrasonic tones, try using sounds from 'birds of prey'. I believe you can find some of these for free. I would also not have them on 'all' the time, but this is easier said than done as you would have to use some detection or timed methodology.

 

[standon]

Funny, today I noticed the birds are back to nesting. Last year I would have to blow down the nests each day in the backyard - We went away for the weekend and I lost the battle. A bird built a nest on a downspout near the pool. Of course, one of the new babies took it's first flight straight into our pool and did not make it out (which seems to happen at least once a year).

As a test today, I'm having the speakers in the area come on every 4 minutes for 30 seconds or so to try to detract the birds. I'll let you know how it turns out. I also downloaded an ultrasonic ringtone...maybe I will play that instead of Sirius radio for the birds.

Well, the 4 minute interval was a bit too long, I switched it to 2 minutes. Seems to work thus far.

With regard to rabbits, I downloaded an iphone app that has a scale for like 5 different ultrasonic tones, if you have an "i" device, maybe try turning it on at different levels and see if anything scurries out under the deck.

 

[tmbrown97]

A few houses ago, I had a problem with birds nesting over the winter, but it was unfortunately on top of my speakers! I didn't notice until the first spring, when I tried to turn on some music, and the baby birds attempted a hasty retreat - unfortunately, it was their first time trying to use their wings, and they didn't make it far - some landing in the pool. I saved some, but not all.