2torial #0965:
Learn2 Build a Birdhouse (continued)

Mount the house

Use the guidelines in Step 1 to decide the height and habitat details for mounting the box.

Pole mounting. Smooth poles, such as galvanized steel pipe or 3/4-inch (2-centimeter) electrical conduit, are the best at deterring climbing predators, like house cats, raccoons, opossums, and snakes. Buy enough for the proper house height, plus an extra 1.5 feet (46 centimeters) to bury underground.

To attach the house to the pole, you'll need two pipe brackets that fit the pole's diameter, and four 1/2-inch (1-centimeter) screws. Lay the box so the backing is flat on your work surface, then lay the post so its top butts against the floor of the birdhouse. Attach the brackets to the backing and snugly over the pole, one about 1.5 inches (4 centimeters) above the other, using the screws.

Once it's attached, loosen the screws slightly so you can slip the pole out of the brackets. Take the pole to the spot you've chosen and hammer it into the ground (for particularly hard ground, you may need to dig a hole first). Reattach the house by slipping the pole back through the brackets and tightening the screws, so the house is firmly in place.

Tree mounting. Drill two pilot holes into the backing of the house, below the floor. These should be about 1.5 inches (4 centimeters) apart, one above the other, each big enough for a 1/4-inch (.6-centimeter) diameter lag screw. Position the box on the tree trunk and drill two more pilot holes through the original holes, this time entering into the tree trunk. Insert the lag screws with a wrench, until the house is tightly fixed on the trunk. If the tree is live, you can loosen the screws slightly over time to account for growth.