When most people think of home security, they think of alarm systems and security cameras. But there is another type of camera that can be effective at keeping your home safe- a trail camera. There are several advantages that a trail cam offers for home security. Understanding what a trail cam is and does and the features that make it unique is important. This understanding will help will you use it more effectively around your home and property. One of the main features of the typical trail cam is how it can be concealed and hidden. A trail cam is typically used to capture footage of wildlife and having a hidden camera is a great way to get the best shots and video. So if they are designed for wildlife, how do you hide a trail cam for home security?
In this article, we look at the basics of trail cams, what they are, the advantages they offer and how you can deploy them around your home to help protect your property.
What Are Trail Cameras?
Trail cameras are also known as game cameras. That’s because they are really designed for capturing footage of wildlife, or game. They are portable, battery-powered cameras that can be placed almost anywhere. And they are weather-proof because they are left unattended for long periods at a time out in the elements. Most you encounter will have a camouflage pattern which helps them blend into vegetation in the wild. They are often used by hunters to track wildlife, but their unique features mean they can also be used for security purposes.
Most trail cameras have a motion sensor. This motion detector activates the camera when it senses movement in front of it. They often have night vision too, so they can continue to record low-light conditions and even complete darkness. But you will also come across several types of trail cameras. And it’s important to appreciate what each does.
Trail cams usually have a wide-angle lens. This enables them to capture a lot of objects within a scene.
Standalone Trail Cameras – Pros and Cons
A standalone trail cam operates independently and in isolation. Any images captured are stored locally on that device, usually on an SD memory card. These cameras come in two varieties- those that take photo images only, and those that take both video footage and photo images.
The image quality of photos is usually very high. And the trigger times are incredibly fast. In other words, you will get excellent quality photos the moment there is motion. After all, trail cams were designed to capture images of wildlife and speed and quality are important.
One drawback is that you will physically have to go to your camera to view or playback your footage on the device, or open it up and remove the SD card for viewing offsite. This might be ok, but honestly, who wants to check their cameras like that every day or week? And, by the time you check the camera, it may be too late to deal with the incident.
Wifi & Bluetooth Trail Cams – Pros and Cons
Advantages of WiFi & Bluetooth Trail Cams
Similar to their standalone counterparts, but with the added feature of creating a local WiFi signal or connecting via Bluetooth. This means you’ll be able to connect to these cameras in the field using a mobile app on your smartphone. This can be very useful for observing footage from a certain distance away. It also means that you can download your photos/videos to your phone without having to open up the camera and remove the SD card or connect your camera to a computer with a cable. So, these trail cams can add useful layer of convenience.
Drawbacks of WiFi & Bluetooth Trail Cams
If your camera doesn’t need to be located too far from your home, then these could be an useful tool for monitoring. However, a common complaint is that signal is lost and difficult to connect to beyond a short distance. So be aware of that and make sure you research the model and reviews.
So, you will probably get excellent footage from these cameras. However, a main drawback to WiFi or Bluetooth trail cams is that you will not able to remotely access these devices from further distance. Nor will you receive notifications of events from those remote spots. That makes their usage somewhat limited around your immediate home. And there’s probably better options of security cameras for that purpose.
Examples of WiFi and Bluetooth trail cameras include.
Cellular Trail Cameras – Pros and Cons
Advantages of Cellular Trail Cams
In recent years trail cams with cellular communication have been introduced. A cellular camera uses cell towers to communicate in the same way a mobile phone does. That allows a trail camera to communicate over the internet. This means that you can receive notifications of events, access the camera remotely to view live video, and have the video stored in the cloud for replay and downloading. All this can be done from a cell phone using a mobile app, making it incredibly convenient! Needless to say, this is a major advantage over standalone models. It means those regular trips to the camera are not required. You can find a review of the best cellular security cameras, including trail cams, here.
A cellular trail cam can come in very handy if you have a large property or a remote location that you need to monitor. A cellular trail cam would be very effective then. No wires to run. No WiFi to worry about. If for example, the entrance to your property is more than a couple hundred feet from your WiFi network, then a cellular trail cam could be very effective at alerting you to who arrives on the property. Or perhaps, you have a vacation home and want that to be monitored? A cellular trail cam could be handy.
Drawbacks of Cellular Trail cams
The main disadvantage of cellular trail cams is that a SIM card and cell subscription are required. Without that, there is no communication with the camera. And, a monthly/annual subscription comes at a price. So, if that’s something you need, then consider the cost of equipment and the cost of ongoing cell communication. And, if these trail cams are to be mounted around your property close to your home, do you need cellular service?
On another downside, a cellular camera may require more power to accomplish what you are using it for – taking footage and then sending notifications and storing video footage online. This may impact battery life more than a standalone model.
And the final drawback to cellular-based trail cams is the limited options for video. Most cellular trail cams you will see take photos only. The photos may be of a great quality, but for security purposes, video is always an advantage.
Non-trail Cam Disguised as a Trail Cam – Pros and Cons
Advantages to Security Cameras Disguised as Trail Cams
OK, so I created this category because it’s possible to use a battery-powered, outdoor security camera as a trail camera. In fact, there are several models that exist that offer some distinct advantages. These cameras, for example, can be an extension of your home security camera setup, whereas integrating a trail camera with what you already have can be more difficult as they typically operate independently. Some manufacturers and third parties produce “skins” for their cameras, which allows you to change the appearance of the camera. This can mean you can take an all-white camera and put a black “skin” or cover over it, to help conceal it in a dark/black environment. Or, you may find camouflage skins to help conceal your camera in vegetation.
These cameras are usually WiFi-based. So, they have an advantage over the typical trail cam- they can communicate over the internet without the additional cost of cellular fees. And video can be stored in the cloud if your provider offers that service.
There are also security cellular cameras on the market. These will integrate with your existing ecosystem if you already have other devices of the same brand. There’s the Arlo Go or Reolink Go Plus. Some models include options for charging via solar panel. You can discover more recommended cellular-based security cameras here.
Another advantage is the video quality available in some of these. The quality can be 4K in some. That’s pretty impressive. You can see some really fine details in the scene.
Because of the wider ecosystem that these security cameras are a part of, they often offer smart features and home automation not available in trail cams. Smart detection, AI-assisted triggers, two-way audio, scheduling, all with the ability to communicate with with other smart devices in your home.
Drawbacks to a Security Camera Disguised as Trail Cams
One of the drawbacks is the quality of photos that you can pull from these devices. They are not designed as the trail cams are. Many trail cams offer 20+MP still images.
There are also many outdoor weatherproof security cameras that can be disguised as trail cameras, but remember that trail cams are specifically designed to weather the worst elements. Some of the outdoor security cameras you might come across may not.
The night vision on many newer security cameras is very good. Night vision is usually possible because of infrared illumination. The camera will have infrared bulbs that emit infrared light that illuminates a dark scene. While not visible to the human eye, the infrared emitters do usually have a red glow to them which can alert people to the camera’s location. There are no-glow trail cameras on the market. These were designed to remain inconspicuous to wildlife as there isn’t the usual red glow.
So Why Use A Trail Camera For Home Security?
As you will have discovered above, the most distinctive features of a trail cam are that they are portable and battery-powered, use motion detection and offer night vision and are packaged in a camouflaged, robust weather-proofing case. So, are trail cameras useful for home security?
Reasons to use a trail cam for home security
A cellular-based trail camera can be a decent way to keep an eye on your property when you’re not there. If you live in a remote area or you’re away from home for extended periods of time, a trail camera can give you peace of mind by letting you know what’s going on at your property. But you’ll need that paid cellular subscription for access.
Trail cameras can also be an effective way to monitor specific areas of your property, especially those that are further away or remote, like an entrance or outbuilding. But if you suspect that someone has been trespassing on your property, a trail camera can help you catch them in the act and get evidence to support a police report. There are trail cams that are also capable of capturing license plates of cars travelling up to 50mph. That’s a nice feature if you need a record for a police report.
The fact it is highly portable means you can move the camera around as needed. That’s why they have become popular with construction sites. They can place a few around the site to capture events. But, when the construction is finished, they can move and be redeployed on the next project.
Drawbacks with using a trail cam for home security
In terms of protecting the spaces in and immediately around your home, a trail cam is probably not your best option. There are home security cameras that will serve you better if you want to monitor your front door, for example. That’s what they are designed for and and there are countless wireless cameras out there to choose from. Trail cams are designed to blend in with vegetation, not so much with the hard lines and static patterns around a home. So they might stick out rather than blend in.
Trail cams are not typically WiFi capable, so that means they won’t connect to your network for internet access. They will usually do so using cellular technology, because they are designed for remote use. That means you’ll have to fork out extra dollars on a monthly basis for a cell plan subscription.
A lot of trail cams are camera-only, not video capable. So, make sure you are aware oft hat when purchasing. Obviously a trail cam that offers video and still photos is your best option.
How To Hide A Trail Cam For Home Security?
One of the best things about using a trail camera for home security is that they are easy to hide outdoors in vegetation owing to their camouflage. Making sure you have a suitable hiding place for your trail cam is important. This also means that a smaller camera is often your best bet because it’s easier to conceal. But what makes the best place to hide a trail cam? Below are some tips about the best way to hide your trail cam for home protection.
#1 Pick a Shady Spot for your Trail Cam
One of the issues you will come across when using any camera outdoors is glare. When light shines into the camera it greatly impacts the quality of what you see and record. To avoid glare on the camera lens, hide your trail cam in shaded or covered areas during the day so that it is not exposed to direct sunlight.
#2 Incorporate The Camera Into Your Landscaping
This is the most obvious way to hide your trail cam and the most effective. Because of their camouflage, they can easily be disguised among trees, shrubs and other vegetation. So, if your home has landscaping, consider placing the trail camera among the bushes or trees. Like with ceilings and eaves, larger cameras are more difficult to disguise this way. You may need to use a smaller trail cam or one that’s made to look like a birdhouse or some other item that would be found in nature. Once again, you’ll want to make sure the camera matches its surroundings as closely as possible so it isn’t easily spotted.
If you have tall trees and shrubs on your property, this is the ideal location for a security trail camera. Place the camera inside of bushes or a tall tree that is not visible from the eye but does allow light to enter. Secure the camera to a tree trunk or solid branch to avoid motion. You could place in a hanging basket of flowers- it’s not likely to be noticed there plus it is at a suitable height. Placing a camera high up means you will see more through the lens. Plus, people don’t tend to look up so it is more likely to go unnoticed.
#3 Disguise the Trail Cam Using Familiar Objects Like A Bird House Or Nesting Box
There are landscaping features that lend themselves to concealing a trail cam. One of the most effective ways to hide a trail camera is by making it look like a bird’s nest. Place the trail camera inside an nesting box or bird house on your property. Many times, these types of nests are placed near windows or in other strategic locations. Because the camera is concealed, you can get away with using it in some more obvious areas where you would never consider placing a camera. This is like using a diversion safe, where you hide your valuables in plain sight .
This method is often used by professional security companies because it is difficult for intruders to detect the camera. The small opening for the birds is a suitable size to allow the lens of the camera to peak out without being interference. Just be aware that you could end up sharing that bird box or nest with some feathered competition, and that could impact your footage and access to the camera. Also, never use a nest that is already is use by nesting birds!
#4 Hide The Trail Cam Below Eaves Or Ceilings
One of the best places to install any security camera is below eaves or under ceilings. That’s because the eaves provide shade to prevent glare, protection from elements, and they are at a decent height to offer good coverage. They usually offer easy access too. The downside for a trail cam installation under eaves is that they are typically camouflaged in color so they might be conspicuous. You could of course paint the camera housing, but I would not recommend that. Also, sometimes an obvious camera can be a good deterrent. That’s why people purchase a decoy camera, and in certain circumstances they can be a good idea.
#5 Hide the Trail Cam At Ground Level in Tall Grass, Shrubs or Decorative Items
In some cases, you may want to get footage from a lower perspective. This is where a trail cam can be very useful. Hiding it among tall grass or decorative items at ground level can be effective. With it’s camouflaged pattern, it can blend in. Just make sure that the field of view isn’t impacted too much. And be aware that motion sensors and on these infrared cameras can be impacted. With the infrared, if you have objects in the picture that are too close, they will reflect back into the camera impacting the picture quality and detracting from the rest of the scene.
#6 Disguise the Trail Cam On A Light Post or Tree
One of the best places how to hide a trail camera is on top of a light post. Light posts or telegraph poles provide solid structures on which to mount a camera. The height allows the camera to be inconspicuous, and depending on the color of the post and camera, the trail cam could blend into the post nicely. I have used this myself to great affect and practically no one notices the camera or it’s solar panel, since I chose colors that blend with the dark wooden post. They can also give you height for your camera’s view.
If you have a sturdy tree, that too makes for an excellent mount for your trail cam. Many trail cams come with excellent mounting options for such applications like straps and tripods. And the camouflage coloring will blend in well.
The Final Score- How To Hide a Trail Cam for Home Security
Trail cams are a great device to use around your home for security. They are flexible devices. Their portability and battery-power makes them very convenient to use in awkward places. Other advantages of trail cams is their camouflage patterns, excellent weatherproofing, night vision and excellent photo quality. While there are some great advantages to using trail cams for home security, there are also drawbacks. Make sure the you know whether the model you are purchasing is a standalone device or can be connected to your smartphone via Bluetooth, WiFi or cellular network. This makes a big difference how and where you can use the camera.
As for hiding the trail cam, make sure you look for shady spots to prevent glare. And see if you can conceal your trail cam in vegetation, on trees or light posts, under the eaves of your house or in a bird box or nest. They can easily be disguised among decorative items too, whether outdoors or even indoors.