What is this on power poles?

[dodge man]

Another what is this thread? It looks like a strip of heavy roofing paper but maybe feels more plastic or rubber. It’s wrapped around the power poles in my area about 5 to 6 feet off the ground.

 

[hosspuller]

Keep critters from climbing up and contacting the conductors.

 

[m1garand762]

I have been wondering why in my area a bunch of poles have plastic stretch wrap, wrapped about 6 feet up

 

[hosspuller]

Here's the actual product ...

18" and 22" Animal Guard (Pole Wrap)

 

[scootr]

Product description > Animal Guard is a unique plastic wrap for use on utility poles to discourage the ascent of climbing animals such as squirrels, raccoons, cats, etc. It is UV-stabilized to withstand many years of prolonged sun exposure. Can be placed at any strategic location on the pole to impede accessibility to animals.

 

[dodge man]

Mystery solved. The only thing I could think of was to keep the ground wire in place, I’ve seen them loose and flopping around, but I didn’t like that answer.

 

[bigtiller]

Our newer pols are getting a 2'~ strip of what looks like galvanized sheet metal. They are about 15' above the ground.

Animal guard, that's a good idea.

 

[ROUSTABOUT]

Keeps critters from climbing up.

 

[Oaktree]

Product description > Animal Guard is a unique plastic wrap for use on utility poles to discourage the ascent of climbing animals such as squirrels, raccoons, cats, etc. It is UV-stabilized to withstand many years of prolonged sun exposure. Can be placed at any strategic location on the pole to impede accessibility to animals.

Didn't realize there was such a problem with critters climbing utility poles. I wonder how it would work to keep squirrels out of bird feeders.

 

[2LaneCruzer]

They also found that if they left some scraps of the wire and insulation they like to chew on, at the bottom of the pole or nearby, they took the easy route and went for the bird, er the wire in the hand.