A few weeks ago, new telephone poles began going up on the stretch of road I take to the office everyday.
Something unique about these poles is their “black band” as I have referred to it as.
Notice the “black band” of metal wrapped around the pole in about a 1.5-foot space.
I questioned what this was for as I watched the telephone pole-guys continuing to install these down the street.
I asked my buddy Matt VanKirk what he thought and his opinion was one I put to rest days before he came up with it – “they’re to keep squirrels from climbing the poles.”
I thought that was an option earlier, but had NOT given it much thought because of the numerous poles WITHOUT such “black bands” and the numerous powerlines with tree branches within close proximity.
Well, two days ago, I got up enough nerve to pull over and ask these telephone-pole-putter-uppers what was with the “black band” of metal.
ANSWER: “Squirrel Guards”
My reaction included a “sigh” of letdown.
I wanted these to be some sort of mechanical genius that I would have had no clue about, and I didn’t want Kirkage to be right. Again.
Alas, I again am impressed with the knowledge of a certain Mr. VanKirk and his brain-full of stuff!
