Concealing Outdoor Cameras: Stealthy Surveillance Techniques

There are many reasons why you might want to conceal an outdoor surveillance camera. Perhaps you want to maintain the aesthetics of your property, or maybe you're worried about potential intruders tampering with your camera. Whatever the reason, there are several creative ways to hide your camera in plain sight. Here are some tips on how to conceal an outdoor surveillance camera effectively:

- Use a Mini Camera: Opt for a small, wireless camera that can be easily tucked away in everyday objects or corners. These cameras often have high-definition video, motion detection, and night vision capabilities, providing discreet yet effective surveillance.

- Birdhouse or Bird Feeder: Place your camera inside a birdhouse or bird feeder, with the lens facing out of the small opening. This disguises the camera while providing a clear view.

- Ordinary Objects: Hide your camera within everyday objects such as smoke detectors, clocks, decorative plants, or even a mailbox. This approach blends the camera seamlessly with your home décor.

- Mount Under Eaves or Ceilings: Mounting cameras under eaves or ceilings keeps them out of direct sight and protects them from the weather. It also helps to hide security camera wires, ensuring a neat installation.

- Natural Cover: Place cameras near bushes, plants, or trees to use foliage as a natural cover. Just ensure the camera's view isn't obstructed and consider seasonal changes to maintain concealment throughout the year.

- Camouflage: Use camera skins or disguises that blend with the surroundings, such as a smoke detector, solar panel, or artwork. Ensure the disguise doesn't obstruct the lens or compromise functionality.

- Glass Windows: Disguise cameras behind glass windows to protect them from the weather and potential tampering. Use wireless cameras to avoid wire complications, and ensure night vision capabilities to counteract reflections.

- Fake Security Cameras: Install fake security cameras in visible locations as decoys, while your real hidden cameras capture the action unnoticed.

- Unusual Locations: Place mini cameras in unexpected spots like light fixtures, bird feeders, or fake rocks in your garden. Ensure an unobstructed view while blending into the surroundings.

- External Infrared Illuminators: For night surveillance, use external infrared illuminators placed away from the camera to provide discreet lighting for clear recordings.

Hide a camera in a birdhouse

A birdhouse is an excellent way to disguise an outdoor security camera. Here are some tips to help you hide a camera in a birdhouse:

• Choose the right birdhouse design: Select a traditional birdhouse with an enclosed space and a small hole in the front. This design will allow the camera to capture video and audio through the peephole while keeping it hidden from view. You can also opt for a non-traditional birdhouse shape, such as a Chickadee house, but ensure that the hole is the right size for your camera lens.
• Position the camera correctly: Place the camera inside the birdhouse so that the lens is facing out of the small hole. Ensure that the birdhouse is facing the direction you want to monitor. The camera should ideally be looking down to get a clear view of the area you want to monitor.
• Use a wireless camera: A wireless camera is ideal for a birdhouse setup as it eliminates the need to hide wires. This makes the camera more mobile and flexible.
• Ensure a clear view: Make sure there are no obstacles blocking the camera's view. Check the camera's video feed to confirm that the lens is not obscured.
• Prevent birds from nesting: While birds usually ignore cameras, you should ensure that your birdhouse does not become a habitat for birds. You can try placing something that creates subtle movement, such as a small flag or a dollar store mobile, to spook the birds away.
• Protect the camera lens: If you are concerned about birds pecking at the lens, you can cover it with proper-sized glass or Plexiglas. However, be mindful that this may introduce infrared issues or reflections. Alternatively, you can always replace the lens cover if it gets damaged.
• Purchase a ready-made solution: There are birdhouses specifically designed to hold security cameras, such as the Wooden Cedar Birdhouse for the Ring Stick Up Cam, available on Amazon. These birdhouses are handcrafted and ensure that your camera remains snug and secure while remaining discreet.

Disguise it as a garden gnome

Garden gnomes are a great disguise for security cameras as they look harmless, so no one would suspect that there's a camera inside. You can buy a large garden gnome and carefully break it in half (or buy a plastic gnome that you can cut in half without cracking it irregularly). Then, drill a hole that's similar in size to the camera lens inside the gnome. Put the camera in, tape up the gnome, and place it alongside other objects in your front yard or on your porch.

If you don't want to break or cut your gnome in half, you can also drill a hole in the gnome that's as big as the lens on your camera. Place the camera inside the gnome and point the lens of the camera out of the hole. You can use electrical tape to hold the camera in place.

When choosing a gnome, opt for a plastic one as it will be more durable and weather-resistant than a ceramic one. Make sure the gnome is large enough to fit your camera. You can find garden gnomes of various sizes online or at hardware stores.

To avoid suspicion, place your gnome camera among other objects in your garden or on your porch. This way, it will blend in with the rest of your lawn decor.

Place it inside a mailbox

If you want to conceal a security camera inside your mailbox, there are a few things you need to keep in mind. Firstly, you should be aware of the legal implications. According to the U.S. Code, mailboxes are protected by federal law, and tampering with them can result in fines or imprisonment. Placing a security camera inside a mailbox owned by the postal service may be considered a violation of mail law. Therefore, before installing a camera, contact your local mail office to inquire about the legality of placing a camera inside your mailbox.

If you own the mailbox, you can legally install a camera as long as you point it towards public areas such as the driveway or sidewalk and not towards your neighbours' properties, as this may infringe on their privacy and lead to legal issues. It is also important to disable audio recording to avoid accidentally recording confidential conversations or private phone calls, which can result in fines or imprisonment in some states.

When choosing a camera, opt for a small, low-profile camera that can easily fit inside the mailbox without being noticeable. Ensure that the camera has the necessary features, such as high resolution, night vision, and a wide field of view, to effectively capture clear images and videos. Consider factors such as power source (battery or solar-powered), connectivity (Wi-Fi or cellular data), and durability when selecting a camera.

To install the camera, follow these steps:

• Measure the size of the camera and the diameter of its lens cover.
• Draw a shape slightly larger than the camera on the mailbox to ensure the camera's view is not blocked.
• Cut out the shape with a drill.
• Fit the camera into the mailbox.
• Add a wall plate to conceal the hole, if desired.
• Access the camera via its app and check that its field of view is not blocked.

By following these steps and considerations, you can effectively conceal a security camera inside your mailbox while also complying with legal requirements.

Put it behind a glass window

Placing a security camera behind a glass window is a good way to deter burglars from entering your property. By seeing that they're being watched, thieves may think twice about breaking into your home.

However, there are some considerations to keep in mind when installing a security camera behind a glass window. Firstly, the glass window can affect the camera's night vision function and motion detection feature. To solve this issue, you can use a camera with software-based motion detection and install external infrared illuminators or visible light sources to help the motion sensors function properly.

Another issue to consider is the reflection and glare from the glass, which can impact the quality of the footage, especially at night. To mitigate this, you can remove the camera's sun shield or use a camera with a different shape that can face the glass more directly. Keeping the window clean and free of dust and insects is also important to ensure clear images.

Additionally, some types of motion detection sensors, such as PIR sensors, may not work correctly when the camera is placed behind glass. In this case, it is recommended to use a camera with picture (pixel)-based motion detection technology, such as Hikvision or Dahua cameras.

Despite these challenges, placing a security camera behind a glass window can be an effective way to monitor entrances, front doors, or other notable locations while keeping the camera discreet and protected from the weather. Just remember to use a wireless camera to avoid complications with wires and ensure it has night vision capabilities.

Camouflage it with a silicone skin

If you're looking to disguise your outdoor surveillance camera, one option is to use a silicone skin. Silicone skins are designed to protect your camera from the elements and help it blend into its surroundings. They come in a range of colours, including grey, brown, black and white, so you can choose the one that best matches the colour of the wall or ceiling your camera is mounted on, or its surrounding environment.

Silicone skins are easy to install and replace. They simply slide in and out of the camera, allowing for quick installation and replacement. They are also designed to be hard-wearing and fully protective, while remaining slim enough not to impair the magnetic mount.

You can buy silicone skins in packs of one, two or three, and they are compatible with specific camera models, including the Nest Cam Outdoor, the Blink XT Outdoor Camera, and the Reolink Argus 2.

Frequently asked questions